Ask most gamers who experienced the Xbox 360 era, and despite the infamous Red Ring of Death, they'll likely recount many cherished memories. Among those, *The Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion* stands out vividly for countless Xbox 360 owners, myself included. While working at Official Xbox Magazine, I found the port of *The Elder Scrolls III: Morrowind* to Xbox intriguing, yet it never fully captivated me. However, *Oblivion*—initially slated as a launch title for the second Xbox—captured my imagination right from the start. Our magazine dedicated multiple cover stories to it, with the breathtaking screenshots leaving everyone in awe. I eagerly took every opportunity to visit Bethesda in Rockville, Maryland, to learn more about the game.
When it came time to review *Oblivion*, during an era where exclusive reviews were commonplace, I jumped at the chance once again. I spent four glorious days in a conference room in Bethesda's basement, immersing myself in the stunning, expansive world of Cyrodiil. Before heading back home, I had already logged 44 hours of gameplay on a submission build, leading to my heartfelt 9.5 out of 10 review for OXM. *Oblivion* was an exceptional game, filled with engaging quests like the Dark Brotherhood, unexpected discoveries such as the unicorn, and much more. Playing on a debug kit meant starting over with the retail version, but that didn't deter me from investing another 130 hours into the game. Hence, it's no surprise that I'm ecstatic about its remaster and re-release on modern platforms.
The Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion Remastered Screenshots
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For the younger generation who grew up with *Skyrim*, the newly released *The Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion Remastered* will be their first "new" mainline Elder Scrolls game since *Skyrim* first launched over 13 years ago. While fans of all ages eagerly await *The Elder Scrolls VI*, likely still 4-5 years away, I envy those who will experience *Oblivion* for the first time. However, I must admit that *Oblivion* might not have the same impact on them as it did for me back in March 2006. It's a two-decade-old game, and while Bethesda chose to release it now rather than wait for its 20th anniversary, other games have since built upon its foundations, including *Fallout 3*, *Skyrim*, *Fallout 4*, and *Starfield*. Additionally, its visuals, though improved in the remaster, don't stand out as dramatically as they did in 2006, when *Oblivion* was arguably the first true next-gen game of the HD era. Remasters aim to modernize older games for current platforms, contrasting with remakes like *Resident Evil*, which are built from the ground up to compete with contemporary titles.
AnswerSee Results*The Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion* was the perfect game at the perfect time. It fully utilized the capabilities of HD televisions, expanding the scope and scale of open-world gaming. It was a revelation for console gamers accustomed to 640x480 interlaced displays. (Notably, just before *Oblivion's* release, *Fight Night Round 3* by EA also stunned with its visuals.)
My memories of *Oblivion* are abundant, as it offered a world brimming with discovery and activities. For first-time players, my advice is either to rush through the main quest or save it for last after exploring all sidequests and open-world activities. This is because once you start the main quest, Oblivion gates will begin to spawn, and it's best to deal with them early on.
The technological leap from *Morrowind* to *Oblivion* might be unmatched, though perhaps *The Elder Scrolls VI* will surprise us. Playing *Oblivion Remastered* won't feel as revolutionary to those accustomed to *Skyrim*, but no matter if you're a newcomer or a seasoned veteran, its fully realized medieval fantasy world and the adventures it holds have always made it my favorite Elder Scrolls game. I'm thrilled it's back, even if the surprise of its release was spoiled many times over.
