Oblivion Remastered Outsmarts Skyrim’s Countless Rereleases—And Bethesda Should Take Notes

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Fans of role-playing games (RPGs) have been reminded of Bethesda’s past dominance in the genre with the arrival of The Elder Scrolls 4: Oblivion Remastered. Beyond the remaster’s stunning visual upgrades, it’s easy to understand why the 2006 original holds such a special place in hearts: it was years ahead of its time, offering distinctive social-simulation mechanics, a vast open-world, and intricate, immersive environmental storytelling that surpassed anything available when it first came out.

One notable advancement in Oblivion Remastered could be summarized as follows: The upgrades and enhancements serve to underscore an intriguing truth – Oblivion has remarkably retained its charm over the years. Although the voice acting and character movements might seem a bit rough around the edges, and the combat may not quite measure up against something as refined as Elden Ring, Cyrodiil remains every bit as captivating, enchanting, and delightful today as it was nearly two decades ago. In essence, while Oblivion Remastered might not feel like a brand-new experience, the refinements have made it easier for players to appreciate the solid foundations of the original version, modernized for contemporary tastes. Consequently, Oblivion Remastered represents a significant accomplishment, one that surpasses the many re-releases of Skyrim.

Oblivion Remastered Shows Skyrim’s Special Editions How It’s Done

Skyrim Has Been Released To Death, With Little To Show for It

For many gamers of a certain generation, it’s no secret that “The Elder Scrolls 5: Skyrim” has been re-introduced, upgraded, and re-offered multiple times since its debut in 2011. Bethesda, the creators themselves, have joked about their frequent releases of unnecessary remasters and re-releases, with amusing jokes such as the “port” of “Skyrim” for the Amazon Echo, where players could traverse Skyrim solely via audio and voice commands.

However, the amusement from these repeated rereleases has significantly decreased over time, and when Skyrim: Anniversary Edition was launched for $50 in 2021, audiences found it tiresome due to what appeared to be low-cost ports. In fact, Bethesda has been perceived as a company that prioritizes opportunistic and greedy practices in recent years, and the continuous Skyrim releases have played a significant role in shaping this negative image.

It’s quite intriguing, indeed, that the remastered version of Oblivion, titled Oblivion Remastered, is exceptionally polished, grand in scope, and definitely a valuable purchase. The team at Virtuos has essentially rebuilt the original Oblivion from scratch using Unreal Engine 5, dramatically enhancing the visual experience while incorporating substantial quality-of-life enhancements and adjustments. These improvements are even more remarkable considering that Oblivion hasn’t been updated as frequently as Skyrim, making this revamped version feel much more impactful and worthwhile.

Hopefully, Bethesda Learns from the Success of Oblivion Remastered

The reception for the remastered version of Oblivion has been significantly more positive than Skyrim’s frequent, seemingly unnecessary rereleases. It’s a wish that Bethesda might make this level of ambition their standard practice in the future. For many gamers, it would be a dream come true if Fallout 3 were remastered using Unreal Engine 5 instead of just getting an “anniversary edition” with higher resolution and frame rate options in a few years. Perhaps even Skyrim could undergo a similar transformation as Oblivion Remastered, to fantastic results.

It’s quite possible that the release of Oblivion Remastered could serve as a significant milestone in Bethesda’s strategy for remakes and remasters. This high-quality remaster, compared to a quick, expensive cash grab, is more likely to be well-received by gamers who are already familiar with the concept. Whether or not Skyrim’s numerous rereleases can be considered “cash grabs” is subjective, but they certainly give that impression. With Oblivion Remastered now available for comparison, this perception is even stronger.

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2025-04-29 16:51