Ask most gamers who were around for the Xbox 360 era, and, Red Ring of Death aside, odds are they'll share fond memories with you. The Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion is one such memory that many Xbox 360 owners cherish, and I'm among them. Back then, I was working at Official Xbox Magazine, and while the successful port of The Elder Scrolls III: Morrowind to Xbox didn't capture my interest, Oblivion did from the very start. Originally planned as a day-one launch title for the Xbox 360, Oblivion had us at OXM doing multiple cover stories leading up to its launch. The screenshots alone were breathtaking, and I eagerly volunteered for each trip to Bethesda's office in Rockville, Maryland.
When it came time to review Oblivion, I jumped at the chance, especially since exclusive reviews were common back then. I returned to Rockville and spent four glorious days—11 hours each—in a conference room at Bethesda's basement, immersed in the stunning, wide-open world of Cyrodiil. Before heading home, I had already logged 44 hours in the game, leading to OXM's 9.5 out of 10 review, which I stand by to this day. Oblivion was an incredible game, filled with gripping quests like the Dark Brotherhood, hidden surprises such as the unicorn, and much more. Playing on a submission build meant I had to start over when I got my retail copy, but that didn't deter me from diving back in and spending another 130 hours exploring Cyrodiil.
The Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion Remastered Screenshots
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I'm thrilled that The Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion has been remastered and re-released on modern platforms. For the younger generation who grew up with Skyrim, this remaster marks their first "new" mainline Elder Scrolls game since Skyrim's debut over 13 years ago. While we all eagerly await The Elder Scrolls VI, which is likely still 4-5 years away, the remastered Oblivion offers a fresh experience for these gamers.
However, I must admit that Oblivion may not have the same impact on them as it did on me back in March 2006. It's a two-decade-old game now, and Bethesda released it just shy of its 20th anniversary. Subsequent games have built upon what Oblivion pioneered, including Bethesda's own Fallout 3, Skyrim, Fallout 4, and Starfield. Moreover, the visual impact that Oblivion had in 2006, when it was arguably the first true next-gen game of the HD era, won't be the same today. The remaster looks better than the original, but it doesn't stand out as a groundbreaking experience on modern platforms as it did back then. Remasters aim to make older games look modern, in contrast to remakes like Resident Evil, which are rebuilt from the ground up to match current visual standards.
AnswerSee ResultsThe Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion was the right game at the right time. It took full advantage of HD televisions and expanded the scope and scale of what gamers could expect from an open-world game. It was a game-changer for console gamers accustomed to interlaced 640x480 resolution. (Though, before Oblivion's release, EA's Fight Night Round 3 in February 2006 was already pushing visual boundaries.)
My memories of Oblivion are plentiful, as it was a world brimming with discoveries and activities. For first-time players, I recommend either rushing through the main quest or saving it until you've explored every side quest and open-world activity. The reason is that once you start the main quest, Oblivion gates will begin spawning, and it's best to deal with them quickly.
The technological leap from Morrowind to Oblivion may never be replicated, though perhaps The Elder Scrolls 6 will surprise us. Playing Oblivion Remastered won't feel as starkly different from Skyrim to the younger generation, but no matter if you're a first-time player or a veteran, Oblivion's fully realized medieval fantasy world, with its surprises and adventures, remains my favorite Elder Scrolls game. I'm thrilled it's back, even if its release was anticipated long before its arrival.
