Oblivion Remastered Gets Higher Age Rating Than Original Due to Blood, Gore & Nudity Risks

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Summary

  • Despite initially being rated T, the ESRB has changed the rating for The Elder Scrolls 4: Oblivion Remastered to M.
  • The title features more detailed depictions of blood and gore, and a partially nude female character model can be accessed on PC with the use of mods.
  • First impressions have been wildly positive, with the Oblivion remaster surpassing 182,000 concurrent players on Steam on its first day.

In contrast to the original release of The Elder Scrolls 4: Oblivion, which was rated as Teen by the Entertainment Software Rating Board (ESRB), its remastered version, Oblivion Remastered, carries a Mature rating. This suggests that while the core content remains unchanged from the original game and its expansions, minor alterations have been made to warrant a more mature age rating than it had back in 2006.

Just a moment ago, Bethesda quietly released Oblivion Remastered, putting an end to months of anticipation about a potential remake of the beloved open-world RPG. Rather than a full remake, Bethesda opted to label it as a remaster, giving the game a facelift with Unreal Engine 5 while preserving the features that made the original Oblivion so endearing to fans. However, this updated version brings some notable adjustments, including an upgraded leveling system, fine-tuned contemporary controls, user interface, and more.

Initially, Oblivion Remastered, originally given a T rating in 2006, was recently re-evaluated by the ESRB and has been rated M instead. The ESRB explained that since there were certain undisclosed contents when the remastered version was first submitted, they increased the age rating. The primary reason for this change is that Oblivion Remastered shows more graphic depictions of blood and gore compared to the original Elder Scrolls 4. Additionally, the ESRB stated that in its PC version, a partially nude female model can be accessed using mods, which led to the game receiving the “Nudity” label until the files are removed.

Oblivion Remastered Rated M for Mature Because of ‘More Detailed Depictions of Blood and Gore’

Without a doubt, the remastered version of “Oblivion” has been incredibly successful. Although Bethesda hasn’t disclosed sales figures as of yet, on its debut day, “Oblivion Remastered” attracted 182,298 players on Steam, a significant figure given that it retails at $50 and is also accessible through Xbox Game Pass.

While many have appreciated the remaster, it’s not been universally loved. In fact, Mike Ybarra, a former president of Blizzard Entertainment, has criticized the Oblivion Remaster, stating that even a game that was once exceptional may struggle to compete with contemporary masterpieces like Elden Ring. This comparison has left him doubtful about the success of this new release.

Although Oblivion Remastered has achieved considerable success, it’s unfortunate that it won’t include official mod support, contrary to what is typically available in other Bethesda games. This lack of modding potential might pose a threat to the remaster’s long-term appeal, as mods have been instrumental in keeping Bethesda’s titles engaging for fans even years after their initial releases.

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2025-04-23 18:27