The Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion Remaster just dropped, and no one saw it coming. Todd “The Lord” Howard caught the fans completely offguard with this silent release. After just an hour in, I’m seriously impressed. Bethesda and Virtuos have brought this 2007 classic back to life in stunning form.
This might not be the new Elder Scrolls game we’ve all been waiting for, but it’s a bold reminder of why we loved Cyrodiil in the first place. Here are my first impressions of the Elder Scrolls Oblivion Remaster. Spoiler alert: it’s great, but not flawless.
The Graphics on the New Oblivion Remaster Are Golden
Made with Unreal Engine 5, the Oblivion Remaster brings a more vibrant Cyrodiil. All assets and animations have been rebuilt, and the difference is clear. When I stepped out of the sewer after the tutorial, I paused for a while, just taking in the view.
The Unreal Engine look is noticeable, but the developers have done well to preserve Cyrodiil’s original charm. Animations were also a bit inconsistent. Slower sword swings feel heavier and more powerful. But in third-person, some movements seem exaggerated and awkward.
The Elder Scrolls Oblivion Remaster also includes new voice lines. Along with the classic ones we remember, we also get cut voice lines that were removed due to memory restrictions on consoles of the time.
New Elder Scrolls Game, New Levelling System
The new Elder Scrolls game brings a fresh take on leveling, blending systems from both Skyrim and Oblivion. You still improve skills by using them, like in Oblivion, but there’s more structure now.
Perks and abilities unlock in a clearer progression, similar to Skyrim’s perk trees. I was super happy to see all ten races make a comeback with two different backstories for each of them. The choice of birthsigns and the class system also make a comeback in the new oblivion remaster.
Spruced up Combat in the New Oblivion Remaster
Combat in the Oblivion Remaster feels sharper and more responsive, thanks to the addition of a dedicated dodge button. This could be a fun addition to the game but I haven’t had to use it yet.
I enjoy playing as a warrior with a sword and shield, and the new dodge button is a nice touch. However, it could be more useful if enemies were more aggressive. I played at the default Adept setting in the Oblivion Remaster, but goblins and zombies didn’t seem to be hitting me as often as I expected. It felt almost too relaxed.
Not to mention, the Bethesda jank just takes you out of the experience sometimes…
I also noticed that rats and wolves would just stand there when I blocked with my shield. They’d only attack after a long pause. The combat could use more challenge, especially with the new dodge mechanic. Increasing the difficulty to Expert or Master might make enemies more aggressive, testing both the dodge and shield mechanics.
You Get All the Dlcs Except an Infamous One
Yes, you get both The Shivering Isles and The Knights of the Nine in the Oblivion Remaster. However, Todd isn’t done selling $10 horse armor, folks. Although, this time around he’s doing it in a much more acceptable manner.
If you check out the deluxe edition on Steam, you’ll see it includes unique digital Akatosh and Mehrunes Dagon armors, weapons, and horse armor sets, along with new quests to obtain them. While it’s better than nothing, I don’t think a nearly two-decade-old game needed a “deluxe” edition.
No Official Mod Support Yet
Unlike previous titles like Skyrim and Fallout 4, the new Elder Scrolls Oblivion Remaster won’t have official mods. A bitter sweet thing as bethesda was keen on monetising fan-made mods too which would not have gone down well with the community.
That said, unofficial mods should be rolling out soon so I’d keep an eye out on the Nexus Mods page and ModDB. Sure, the library of mods isn’t going to be as vast as the original game. But the oblivion remaster could still get performance fixes and necessary bug fixes from fans.
Should You Buy the New Oblivion Remaster?
Yes, the Oblivion Remaster is definitely worth picking up, especially if you want upgraded visuals and new content. The game looks way sharper thanks to Unreal Engine 5, with more vibrant environments and better character models.
Plus, you get both The Shivering Isles and The Knights of the Nine, which add a ton of fun extra content. The combat feels smoother with the new dodge button, making battles more dynamic. But hey, the original Oblivion still holds up great if you prefer the classic feel.
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