"Oblivion's Impact Surpasses Skyrim, Even Today"

Ask most gamers who were around for the Xbox 360 era, and, Red Ring of Death aside, they'll likely share fond memories. Among those, The Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion stands out vividly for many Xbox 360 owners, 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 capture my interest, Oblivion did from the start. Originally planned as a launch title for the Xbox 360, it was the subject of multiple cover stories, with its screenshots captivating everyone. I eagerly volunteered for every trip to Bethesda's offices in Rockville, Maryland.

When it came time to review Oblivion, I jumped at the opportunity. Back then, exclusive reviews were common, and I spent four glorious days in a conference room at Bethesda's basement, immersing myself in Cyrodiil. Over those four consecutive 11-hour days, I lived in this stunning, next-gen medieval fantasy world. Before heading home, I had logged 44 hours on a submission build on an Xbox 360 debug kit, which led to OXM's 9.5 out of 10 review—a score I stand by to this day. Oblivion was filled with gripping quests like the Dark Brotherhood, hidden surprises like the unicorn, and much more. Despite having to start over with the retail version, I eagerly dove back in, eventually investing another 130 hours into the game.

The Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion Remastered Screenshots

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The release of The Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion Remastered excites me deeply. For the younger generation who grew up with Skyrim, this remaster marks their first "new" mainline Elder Scrolls game since Skyrim's initial release over 13 years ago. While fans of all ages eagerly await The Elder Scrolls VI, which is likely still 4-5 years away, this remaster offers a fresh experience for many.

However, I doubt Oblivion will resonate with today's gamers in the same way it did for me back in March 2006. It's a two-decade-old game, and other titles have since built upon its innovations, including Bethesda's own Fallout 3, Skyrim, Fallout 4, and Starfield. Additionally, while the remaster looks better than the original, it doesn't have the same groundbreaking visual impact it had in 2006, when it was arguably the first true next-gen game of the HD era. Unlike a full remake like Resident Evil, which aims to match or exceed current market standards, remasters simply aim to modernize older games on current platforms.

The Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion was the perfect game at the perfect time. By leveraging HD televisions and expanding the scope and scale of open-world gaming, it delivered a visual and experiential punch to console gamers accustomed to 640x480 resolution. (Notably, around the same time, EA's Fight Night Round 3 was also visually stunning.)

My memories of Oblivion are rich, filled with countless discoveries and adventures. For those playing Oblivion for the first time, I recommend either rushing through the main quest or saving it until you've explored all sidequests and open-world activities. The reason? Once you start the main questline, Oblivion gates will randomly spawn and interrupt your exploration. Sealing them off early can enhance your experience.

The leap from Morrowind to Oblivion was monumental, and while we may not see such a leap again, the wait for The Elder Scrolls 6 might bring something similar. Playing Oblivion Remastered won't feel as distinct from Skyrim as the original did, but its medieval fantasy world and the adventures it holds remain unparalleled for me. I'm thrilled it's back, even if its release was anticipated multiple times before its arrival.