Let me start by saying I’m utterly biased. I was weepy from watching the reveal trailer and literally jumping and shouting with joy. I play Oblivion every year, whether I am happy, sad, stressed or just in need of a nostalgic injection. I have even gone as far as buying the Cero Japanese GOTY edition. Just to get a whole new list of achievements. Oblivion is my skooma.
The Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion is my all-time favorite game, quirks and all. So, when Oblivion Remastered arrived, it felt like saying hello to a dear old friend after years apart. This remaster has brought back such feelings of pure joy and nostalgia, dragging me back to 2006 when I first stepped into Cyrodiil. Bugs, crashes, and those endearingly odd NPC faces? They’re part of the charm, and this polished version only deepens my love for it. I was disappointed about Hackdirt’s underground residents not being huge bug-eyed freaks anymore.
This is a remaster, not a remake, meaning it layers a modern engine over the original bones. The visuals are utterly amazing, ray traced lighting shines strongly over the Imperial City in gold, forests burst with such immense detail, and updated textures make every corner of Cyrodiil feel alive and welcoming. Character models are spectacularly done (for the most part), and the draw distance stretches far enough to spot distant landmarks. You can immediately see the wizards tower right out of the sewers. Jeremy Soule’s iconic soundtrack has not been changed at all, and performance is as smooth as a cheese wheel at 60 FPS, most of the time. I did come across an utterly hilarious mass goblin spawning bug that had the engine struggling to keep running. It was utterly terrifying and hilarious to be mass swarmed by 50+ goblins.
What’s new you say? The remaster introduces upgrades. The user interface is now sleek and intuitive, designed for modern displays. Combat feels more responsive. The minor map adjustments made a big difference for me. Simply being able to glide around quickly and the addition of zoom was a thoughtful and appreciated addition. Bugs are all over the place keeping Oblivion’s quirky spirit. My main issue was constant texture loading. But this just further pushed me into fond nostalgia.
Let me tell you, this is one of the most picturesque games ever made. I am constantly stopped in my tracks to take in the sheer beauty of it all. Taking screenshot after screenshot. Oh boy, the oblivion gates…. HOLY CRAP!!! These menacing daedric portals are a jaw dropping spectacle to behold every single time.
The heart of the game, its quests, characters, and world remain as engrossing as ever. Whether you’re hunting the Mythic Dawn, mudering for the Dark Brotherhood, or sealing Oblivion Gates, every moment feels timeless. The world shines with life, from NPCs chatting about local gossip to the sprawling landscapes that beg exploration. AVOWED, eat your heart out. Playing this remaster, I was swept back through time remembering my first adventure. Frozen in amazement as I emerged from the sewers. It brought every single feeling right back. The nostalgic memories was overwhelming, yet the enhancements make it feel fresh for newcomers and veterans alike.
The addition of new voice actors in The Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion Remastered is a welcome touch that breathes fresh life into Cyrodiil’s soundscape. While the original game’s iconic voices, like Patrick Stewart’s Uriel Septim, remain untouched, the new talent fills roles for guards and minor NPCs, addressing the repetitive “I saw a mudcrab the other day” syndrome that became a beloved quirk. These new performances add variety and immersion, ensuring you’re not hearing the same handful of voices across every tavern and city gate. It’s a subtle but thoughtful upgrade, keeping the world vibrant while preserving the nostalgic charm of the core cast.
Is it flawless? Not quite. Some animations show their age, and NPC AI can still be utterly unpredictable. But these quirks only add to Oblivion’s character. This remaster celebrates the game’s ambition and heart, delivering a world that’s as immersive today as it was nearly two decades ago. For new players, it’s a chance to discover a legend. For longtime fans like me, it’s a lovingly crafted homecoming. Its still utterly hilarious that the big battle for Cyrodiil consists of 10 people, cracks me up every damn time.
10/10. The Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion Remastered is a triumphant return to Cyrodiil, blending nostalgia with modern polish. It’s a game I’ll always treasure. I am 33 hours in and I barely scratched the surface.
Kudos to Virtuos on a wonderful job!
A massive thanks to Bethesda and 47 for the codes. It was a joy to officially review my favourite game of all time and its a memory I wont soon be forgetting.
We were overjoyed to do a dual review. One from a veterans perspective (me) and one from the perspective of a brand new player (Drew). Drew’s review will be going live tomorrow.
