Bruce Nesmith, the senior game designer behind the original The Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion, has expressed his awe at the work done on Bethesda and Virtuos' Oblivion Remastered, suggesting that calling it a remaster might not fully capture the extent of the changes. In a recent discussion with VideoGamer, Nesmith emphasized the immense effort that went into crafting the original Cyrodiil, making the comprehensive reimagining of Oblivion all the more surprising and impressive.
“I was expecting a simple texture update,” Nesmith remarked. “But what they’ve delivered is a complete overhaul. From redoing the animations and the animation system, to integrating the Unreal Engine, and even revamping the leveling system and user interface, they've touched every aspect of the game.”
Despite no prior official announcement from Bethesda, the sudden release of Oblivion Remastered yesterday has left fans impressed with the extensive modifications. These range from subtle visual enhancements to significant gameplay alterations, including a new sprint mechanic and changes to the leveling system. Many fans, including Nesmith, feel that the project leans more towards a remake than a mere remaster.
“The closest label that comes to mind is Oblivion 2.0,” Nesmith noted. “The level of remastering is staggering. It almost requires its own term. The word 'remaster' might not do it justice.”
In his conversation, Nesmith tried to encapsulate his impressions of Oblivion Remastered: “The closest that could come [to categorising it] is Oblivion 2.0.”
As the community celebrates the efforts behind Oblivion Remastered, Bethesda shared its rationale for naming the RPG re-release. In a social media statement yesterday, the studio clarified that their goal was not to remake Oblivion but to modernize it while preserving the core experience that fans cherish, flaws and all.
“We know many of our longtime fans will be thrilled to revisit Oblivion and the land of Cyrodiil,” Bethesda’s statement continued. “But there are also many who have never experienced it. We deeply appreciate the support you’ve shown us and our games over the years. Our hope with this remaster is that, regardless of who you are, stepping out of the Imperial sewer feels like your first time.”
The Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion Remastered was unveiled and released as a surprise yesterday, available now on PC, PlayStation 5, and Xbox Series X and S. Xbox Game Pass Ultimate subscribers can enjoy it at no additional cost. The modding community has also responded enthusiastically to this unexpected launch.
For those eager to dive into the revamped world of Cyrodiil, our comprehensive guide covers everything in Oblivion Remastered, from an expansive Interactive Map to complete Walkthroughs for the Main Questline and every Guild Quest, tips on How to Build the Perfect Character, Things to Do First, and much more.
