Review in Progress: The Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion Remastered

Imagine stumbling upon a long-lost treasure—unexpected, yet familiar. That’s exactly how it felt when The Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion Remastered appeared out of the blue. As a die-hard fan of RPGs, especially Oblivion, diving back into the mystical realm of Cyrodiil was an easy decision. I’ve already clocked in countless hours, tackling Oblivion gates, mingling with Daedric gods, proving myself in the Imperial City’s arena, and delving into various faction quests. So far, the upgrades have left me impressed. Having recently revisited the original, its quirks fresh in my mind, the revamped UI, renewed voice work, and especially the enhanced graphics, have transformed this nearly two-decade-old gem into a far more engaging experience. Sure, there’s still that nostalgic jank—awkward horse animations, glitchy quests, and some persistent framerate issues. But for someone like me, who isn’t just swayed by nostalgia, returning to this wonderfully peculiar open-world adventure has been an absolute joy.

The most noticeable improvement in Oblivion Remastered is undeniably its visual upgrade. Now, while modern games have set a high bar in the graphics department, comparing this remaster with its 2006 counterpart is a jaw-dropping experience. The map bursts with clarity, offering a draw distance that once seemed like a distant dream. The transformations in lighting, shadow work, and character lip-syncing are particularly stunning. However, a few elements missed the glow-up memo, like the often comical, sometimes creepy NPC faces, many of which have maintained their somewhat grotesque, cross-eyed charm. Yet, isn’t that part of the Oblivion magic? Though not every character matches the aesthetic level of high-budget 2025 releases, this remaster beautifully captures the essence of the original, making you wonder if it always looked this good.

One of the most game-changing additions is the sprint feature. If you’re scratching your head, yes, the original didn’t have sprinting. Hard to wrap your mind around, right? It’s like a gift from the gods, making the earlier exploration seem sluggish in comparison. Sure, it drains stamina now, which isn’t my favorite mechanic in RPGs since I’m perpetually running everywhere. But the payoff is worth it. The world feels smaller and more accessible, with cities and dungeons that can now be explored more swiftly. Consequently, I’m paying more attention to skills and magical enhancements that boost stamina because I need it for nearly every activity. This change, despite the added tinkering, has made navigating through familiar landscapes a lot more engaging.

The remaster doesn’t just stop at visual upgrades and sprinting; the interface and systems have undergone meaningful updates. The UI now aligns with more modern design sensibilities, offering numerous subtle improvements. You’ll find a repositioned compass with enhanced features, and health, magicka, and stamina meters are more thoughtfully placed. Menus are much easier to navigate, allowing for quick toggling between spells and stats. Some features still feel outdated, like the screen-hogging quest log that cheekily interrupts your gameplay, but these quirks are minor in the grand scheme. The revamps in leveling and skill systems need more time to see if they’ve hit the mark, but initial impressions are promising.

Despite the polish, some things remain stubbornly unchanged. Virtuous Games helmed this remaster, but it’s still quintessential Bethesda, complete with its signature bugs. Expect occasional quirks like vanishing Oblivion gates and temperamental NPCs who abandon conversations right before your eyes. On Xbox Series X, performance hiccups like frame drops during autosaves or crowded battles remind you of its age. These glitches, while mostly endearing, serve as a reminder that even two decades later, some rough edges endure in this fantastical realm.

I’ll share a comprehensive review soon. First, I’m off to complete the main story, explore the madness of the Shivering Isles, and maybe cause some chaos across Cyrodil just to annoy the Imperial guards once more. On that note, I’m off—perhaps to contract a little vampirism in my travels. See you on the other side!