Ask most gamers who were around for the Xbox 360 era, and aside from the dreaded Red Ring of Death, you'll find a trove of fond memories. The Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion was a cornerstone of those memories for many, including myself. At the time, I was working at Official Xbox Magazine, and while the successful port of The Elder Scrolls III: Morrowind to Xbox didn't quite captivate me, Oblivion did so from the get-go. Originally planned as a day-one launch title for the Xbox, Oblivion's stunning screenshots and our multiple cover stories leading up to its release had me eagerly volunteering for every trip to Bethesda's headquarters in Rockville, Maryland.
When it came time to review Oblivion—a period when exclusive reviews were the norm—I jumped at the opportunity once again. I returned to Rockville, spending four consecutive, glorious 11-hour days immersed in the conference room in Bethesda's basement. Living almost literally in Cyrodiil, I explored the stunning, wide-open, next-gen medieval fantasy world. Before heading back, I logged 44 hours on a submission build at Bethesda, using an Xbox 360 debug kit, and penned OXM's 9.5 out of 10 review of Oblivion, a score I stand by to this day. The game was filled with gripping quests like the Dark Brotherhood, off-the-beaten-path surprises such as the unicorn, and much more. Upon receiving my retail copy, I had to start over, but it didn't deter me from dropping another 130 hours into the game. So, it's no surprise that I'm thrilled about The Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion being remastered and re-released on modern platforms.
The Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion Remastered Screenshots
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For the younger generation who grew up with Skyrim, the remastered Oblivion will be their first "new" mainline Elder Scrolls game since Skyrim's initial release over 13 years ago. As we all continue to wait for The Elder Scrolls VI, which is likely still 4-5 years away, I'm envious of those who will experience Oblivion for the first time. However, I doubt it will hit the same way for them as it did for me in March 2006. It's a two-decade-old game now, and while Bethesda deserves credit for delivering the remaster this week rather than waiting another year for the 20th anniversary, other games have since built upon what Oblivion achieved, including Bethesda's own Fallout 3, Skyrim, Fallout 4, and Starfield. Additionally, the visual impact of the remaster, while improved, doesn't stand out as it did in 2006, when it was considered the first true next-gen game of the HD era ushered in by the Xbox 360. Remasters aim to modernize older games for current platforms, contrasting with full remakes like Resident Evil, which start from scratch and aim to match or surpass current market standards.
My memories of Oblivion are plentiful, filled with endless discoveries and adventures. For first-time players, I recommend either rushing through the main quest or saving it until you've exhausted all side quests and open-world activities. The reason? Once you start the main questline, Oblivion gates will begin spawning and pestering you. It's best to seal them off as soon as possible.
The technological leap from Morrowind to Oblivion may never be replicated, though perhaps The Elder Scrolls VI will surprise us. But regardless of whether you're playing Oblivion for the first time or have hundreds of hours logged, its fully realized medieval fantasy world and the surprises and adventures within it make it my favorite Elder Scrolls game. I'm thrilled it's back, even if its surprise release was anticipated long before it finally arrived again.
