Ask any gamer who experienced the Xbox 360 era, and despite the notorious Red Ring of Death, they'll likely share fond memories with you. For many Xbox 360 owners, including myself, The Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion was a source of many of those cherished memories. At the time, I was working at Official Xbox Magazine, and while the port of The Elder Scrolls III: Morrowind to Xbox didn't quite capture my interest, Oblivion did from the very beginning. Initially slated to be a launch title for the second Xbox, Oblivion's stunning screenshots had us all at OXM hooked. We featured it on multiple cover stories, and I eagerly volunteered for each trip to Bethesda's headquarters in Rockville, Maryland.
When it came time to review Oblivion, a period when exclusive reviews were commonplace, I jumped at the opportunity once again. I returned to Rockville and spent four glorious days in a conference room in Bethesda's basement, immersing myself in the world of Cyrodiil. I logged 44 hours in this breathtaking medieval fantasy world before flying back home and penning OXM's 9.5 out of 10 review, a score I stand by to this day. Oblivion was an exceptional game, filled with engaging quests like the Dark Brotherhood, unexpected adventures such as the unicorn encounter, and so much more. Since I was playing on a submission build, I had to start over when I got the final retail version, but that didn't deter me. I eagerly dove back in, adding another 130 hours to my playtime, and I'm thrilled that Oblivion has been remastered and re-released on modern platforms.
The Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion Remastered Screenshots
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For younger gamers who grew up with Skyrim, the newly released The Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion Remastered represents their first "new" mainline Elder Scrolls game since Skyrim's initial release over 13 years ago. While fans of all ages eagerly await The Elder Scrolls VI, which is still likely years away, I'm envious of this new generation who will experience Oblivion for the first time. However, I doubt it will have the same impact on them as it did for me back in March 2006. Oblivion is a two-decade-old game, and while Bethesda chose to release it this year rather than wait for its 20th anniversary, it's been surpassed by subsequent titles like Fallout 3, Skyrim, Fallout 4, and Starfield. Moreover, the remaster, while visually improved, doesn't carry the same groundbreaking visual punch it did in 2006, when it was arguably the first true next-gen game of the HD era. Remasters aim to modernize older games on current platforms, but they don't have the same transformative impact as a full remake like Resident Evil.
AnswerSee ResultsThe Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion was the perfect game at the perfect time. It leveraged the full potential of HD televisions and set new standards for open-world gaming, offering console gamers a dramatic leap from the 640x480 interlaced world they were accustomed to. (Incidentally, just a month before Oblivion's release, EA's Fight Night Round 3 had similarly stunned gamers with its visuals.)
My memories of Oblivion are plentiful, filled with exploration and discovery. For first-time players, my recommendation is to either rush through the main quest or save it until you've explored every side quest and open-world activity. The reason is simple: once you start the main quest, Oblivion gates will begin to spawn and distract you. Sealing them off early can enhance your experience.
The technological leap from Morrowind to Oblivion might be a once-in-a-lifetime experience, though perhaps The Elder Scrolls 6 will eventually offer something similar. However, playing Oblivion Remastered won't provide the same stark contrast to any version of Skyrim that I experienced back in 2006. Still, whether you're playing Oblivion for the first time or returning after hundreds of hours, its richly detailed medieval fantasy world and the myriad adventures it offers remain my favorite in the Elder Scrolls series. I'm thrilled it's back, even if its release was anticipated many times over before its final arrival.
