"Oblivion Remastered: Dev Admits World-Scale Leveling Mistake"

The original developer of The Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion has openly admitted that the game's world-scale leveling system was a mistake. This revelation comes as the remastered version of the iconic game hits the shelves, sparking discussions about the changes and the game's enduring popularity.

World-Scale Leveling Remains in Oblivion Remastered

In a candid interview with VideoGamer, Bruce Nesmith, the original designer behind Oblivion, shared his thoughts on the game's leveling mechanics. Despite his criticism, the world-scale leveling feature has made a return in the remastered version. Nesmith, who has also worked on titles like Fallout 3, Skyrim, and Starfield, praised the tweaks to the leveling system in the remaster, noting that these changes make the game more enjoyable for today's players.

In the original Oblivion, players had to level up their major skills repeatedly before resting to increase their attributes. The remastered version adopts a system akin to Skyrim, where experience points are gained across all skill lines. Nesmith commended Bethesda for this bold move, describing it as a "brave" decision.

However, Nesmith expressed regret over the world-scale leveling system, which adjusts enemy levels to match the player's progression. He remarked, "I think the world levelling with you was a mistake and that’s proven out by the fact it did not happen the same way in Skyrim." This sentiment echoes the concerns of fans who have been modifying the game to address this issue since its 2006 release. With the remaster retaining this feature, the modding community has once again stepped up to fix it.

Oblivion Remastered is More Than Just a Remaster

The remaster of Oblivion has surprised many, including Nesmith, who initially expected a simple texture update similar to Skyrim: Special Edition. In another interview with VideoGamer, he lauded the extensive efforts of the development team, stating, "[It’s] a staggering amount of remastering. It almost needs its own word, quite frankly. I’m not sure remaster actually does it justice."

Bethesda has indeed gone above and beyond with this remaster, utilizing Unreal Engine 5 to rebuild the world of Tamriel. This overhaul has allowed developers to overcome the limitations of the original game, earning high praise from the gaming community. At Game8, we awarded Oblivion Remastered a score of 90 out of 100, celebrating it as a heartfelt tribute to Cyrodiil, masterfully updated with modern technology. For more detailed insights into the game, be sure to read our full review below.