After the insane success of Skyrim, and its port to what feels like 60 platforms, people have been chomping at the bit for Elder Scrolls VI. Well, Elder Scrolls has its new release, and while it isn’t Elder Scrolls VI, it also isn’t the 61st release of Skyrim. Instead it’s The Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion Remastered, which is the remaster I had no idea I was needing.
Straight out of the gate, I am going to say this is the best example of a remaster I have ever seen. The graphical overhaul here is insane, but it is much more a remaster. I wouldn’t say warts and all as plenty have been fixed, so while some warts are still intact, the warts look fantastic.
So what is better about it?
As I mentioned, the game looks fantastic. It is easily one of the better-looking games I have played this year. Given it is such a massive game, I was expecting plenty of more detailed but flat faces. Nope, this game looks absolutely stunning, from the movement in the nicely rendered faces to the beautiful magic animations to the gorgeous landscapes. Cyrodiil has never looked so good!
Other major tweaks to the game include a much better-to-navigate UI; this is always a big deal, as these kinds of games can be a pain to manage. The other major change that stood out to me is leveling up is way better. It has been a while since I played the original game, OK it’s been well over a decade, but I remember the leveling used to be a pain in the ass. You had to watch how you applied skills because you had to level up major skills and then level minor skills carefully to max your stats, or you could wind up in big trouble as the enemies out in the wild would level up too fast and leave you struggling. Now it’s way easier. Now you can upgrade skills as you see fit, and I seem to wind up way stronger way faster. You still need to rest in a bed to do the leveling up, which, while thematically cool, is a pain. You win some, you lose some.
What even is Oblivion?
If you are new to the game, you will be approaching this as a new game. Well, let me tell you, you’re in for a treat. The Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion is the fourth Elder Scrolls game, but the first one I played many years ago… I mean many. It’s a 19-year-old game! It is a first-person RPG set in the world of Cyrodiil. You play a person who starts off in a jail cell. The place gets attacked and the emperor is escaping through a secret exit, which happens to be in your cell. Anyway, he pardons you, and you follow them out the escape route. The whole party is attacked, and the emperor figures he is going to die, so gives you the Amulet of Kings. His death causes the portals to another plane to open up; that plane is called Oblivion. Monsters called Daedra come through and start invading the world.
And your long, and I mean looong, journey to save the world kicks off. The main story is fun and interesting, but it’s the wider world that makes the game so much more. There are side stories you can check out, and you should. There are interesting people you can meet, and should. Oh, and there are going to be heaps of running and walking around. I didn’t mention it, but it’s a magic-filled medieval-style world. There is fast travel and stuff, but for the most part, the game’s exploration is so much fun you want to run around and explore!
So what’s it like to play this 19-year old game in 2025?
Honestly, incredible. The game looks and runs fantastically. There are some dumb and weird characters, but for the most part, it all holds up. One big thing that is lost is some of the most epic voices. We used to have Patrick Stewart, Sean Bean, and so many other epic actors. Now, we still have them, and it’s all way better.
It’s not always the smoothest gameplay experience, but find me a new open-world RPG that does. The Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion Remastered is easily worth playing in 2025, whether you are returning to Cyrodiil or visiting for the first time!
The Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion Remastered is easily worth playing in 2025, whether you are returning to Cyrodiil or visiting for the first time!
