For years there has been a gapping hole in my gaming library when it comes to some franchises and, specifically, The Elder Scrolls series. With the recent not-so-subtle rumors and the actual release of Oblivion Remastered, I was able to finally jump in to the old title that received a fresh coat of paint and see what all the hype was about. Is The Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion Remastered the best way to play for new players? Or, is it just the same old jank?
Firstly, it’s definitely an interesting approach that both Bethesda and Virtuos had taken when it comes down to the Remastered vs Remake debate for TES IV Oblivion Remastered. Built on two engines, which is the reasoning behind the Remaster and not a complete Remake. They decided to build Oblivion Remastered off of the old engine, keeping its systems in place, while placing Unreal Engine 5 on top of the old engine to allow for better frame rate, draw distance and much better-looking graphics. Keeping that old Bethesda jank is what made Oblivion fun and so special back in the day. Does it hold up now though, with someone like myself who is jumping into the game for the first time?
A New Coat Of Paint
The Unreal Engine 5 upgrade helps tremendously with Oblivion Remastered feeling much more modern by today’s standards. From its controls, stunning vistas to more detailed environments, enhancements to the movement and the smaller touches of zooming in on the map, though subtle, a very helpful feature when getting around the province of Cyrodiil. All of these new additions feel great to bring in new and old players alike.
But sometimes, an old game from the past should stay in the past with nostalgic eyes.
Though the remastered version may bring some of the best additions to the game, it does have some of its old drawbacks for those jumping into the game for the first time. Large cityscapes that should be a hot spot of traffic, a bustling city filled with people, looked barren and empty, with only a handful of people wandering around the city, or talking to each other in small groups. I found many vacant areas as I traveled across Cyrodiil. Though a peaceful walk is sometimes nice. I wanted more life in my travels as I might only run into a single wolf or a bandit as I headed to my next destination. The NPC’s do feel old and dated, their backs toward you as they face walls or guards walking into a gate continuously. The inability to shoot through gates while a rat pokes its head through the bars. While those with nostalgic eyes may find the charm in all of this, those new to the game and playing it for the first time may find it off-putting and take away from their experience.
Our journey will have us in search of whom the mysterious group was the hunted the emperor, as they look to bring back the Mythic Dawn cult and open the gates to the hell of Oblivion.
One of the best features that still remains to this day is how well the world comes together in Oblivion and its story. From its main campaign of finding the truth behind the events of the emperor, to closing the Oblivion gates, and the many side quests and guild adventures. Great writing will always hold the test of time.
For someone new to the franchise, I now understand where the hype came from. The minute I joined the Dark Brotherhood, a side quest that had me stealthing around eliminating one target after another. Sneaking into high-profile characters’ locations, after tracking them down and gathering the right information. A side quest that had its own story arc within the game was an incredible time that could have its own spin-off title. Searching the depths of the dungeons that you stumble across, growing and gaining new gear for your character and playstyle. This was only the beginning of my journey. Not to mention all the Oblivion gates that will have you lost within a maze of turned-around walls as you slash, spell-bound your enemies and do whatever it takes to shut down these monstrous landscapes. The Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion Remastered is a journey everyone should embark upon.
