The Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion, a game that defined a generation of RPGs, has returned in spectacular fashion with its long-awaited remaster. For fans like me, who spent countless hours exploring Cyrodiil’s forests and dungeons, this release feels like a homecoming—only everything is sharper, smoother, and more alive than ever. Bethesda and Virtuos have delivered a remaster that stays true to the original’s spirit while giving it a modern facelift, making it accessible and exciting for both veterans and newcomers alike.
Visuals and Audio
Oblivion Remastered is built on Unreal Engine 5, and the difference is immediately obvious. The world now boasts 4K resolution, 60 fps, and a complete overhaul of textures, lighting, and weather effects. Character models and animations have been rebuilt from the ground up, making each race more distinct and every NPC more lifelike. Even the spell and weapon effects have been upgraded, giving combat a new sense of impact and dynamism.
The audio work is equally impressive. While much of the original voicework remains, new actors have been brought in to flesh out the world, and the soundtrack has been remastered for higher fidelity. Environmental sounds—like birdsong and rainfall—now echo realistically, and NPC voices are muffled or echoed depending on your location, making the world feel more immersive than ever. As someone who treasures the series’ music, I’m thrilled that the iconic soundtrack remains intact, adding to the nostalgia while benefiting from modern sound design.
Gameplay Improvements
One of the remaster’s greatest strengths is how it modernises gameplay without losing the quirky charm that made Oblivion special. The user interface and menus have been completely redesigned for clarity and ease of use. Quality-of-life updates abound: improved HUD, better maps, enhanced accessibility, and more frequent autosaves. The infamous Persuasion and lockpicking minigames are still here, but with tweaks to make them less clunky.
Combat has seen significant upgrades, with new movement and attack animations, improved third-person controls, and even a sprint function. Enemy scaling has been toned down, making progression feel more rewarding, and the character creator now offers more customisation options, including origins based on your chosen race.
Why This Remaster Matters
I genuinely believe this remaster is more than just a nostalgia trip—it’s a celebration of what made Oblivion a landmark RPG. The attention to detail, from the new weather effects to the improved soundscapes, shows a real respect for the original while embracing the possibilities of new technology. Sure, some dungeons still feel repetitive, and not every old quirk has been ironed out, but that’s part of Oblivion’s unique identity.
