Which Game Is Better, Skyrim Or Oblivion Remastered?

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The influence of “The Elder Scrolls 5: Skyrim” on the gaming world can’t be exaggerated, and neither can its impact on me when I first played it as a youngster. I missed out on its predecessor, “Oblivion,” when it was released, but I was exactly the right age for “Skyrim.

In a significant return, the remastered version of “Oblivion” has once again captured attention, and for me, it was the first time exploring Cyrodil (disregarding my experience with “Elder Scrolls Online”). Since its launch, I’ve immersed myself in both “Oblivion Remastered” and “Skyrim”, striving to gather as unbiased an opinion on each game as possible.

By sealing Oblivion Gates and reviving Dragons to the status of endangered species, I aimed to create an exciting showdown between them, comparing their brilliance. This struggle left me transformed, deepening my admiration for each game within the series.

This will contain minor spoilers for both Skyrim and Oblivion.

10.
Dragons | Oblivion Gates

Skyrim

In the expansive worlds of both Skyrim and Oblivion, each game offers a distinctive kind of interaction. For Skyrim, these interactions often involve dragons, while in Oblivion, they revolve around the appearance of Oblivion Gates.

Engaging in battles against dragons in Skyrim might occur unexpectedly, as I’ve found myself immersed in peaceful moments such as strolling by a river, enjoying the sight of salmon swimming upstream and the soothing music, only to be startled by the ominous sound of a distant dragon’s roar, with a colossal sky lizard swooping down on me.

In the world of Cyrodil, it’s possible to encounter Oblivion Gates, but you must actively decide to enter them and face the challenge within the Oblivion Tower. This is an exciting adventure during your initial encounter, but after a few attempts, the novelty might start to wear off.

In these games, both situations can provide great fun, yet they can also be quite challenging. However, I find the unpredictable nature of the dragon attacks makes for a more delightful gaming experience.

9.
Sigil Stones | Shout

Tie

This contest is slightly more challenging; Shouts and Sigil Stones serve comparable functions, since they’re both acquired by finishing Oblivion Gates and vanquishing dragons or clearing dungeons in their own ways.

1. The competition becomes a bit harder; Shouts and Sigil Stones share the same essential function, which is to be earned by conquering Oblivion Gates and slaying dragons or exploring dungeons.
2. This competition has an added level of difficulty; Shouts and Sigil Stones perform similar roles, as they can be obtained by closing Oblivion Gates and defeating dragons/overcoming dungeons.
3. The contest presents a greater challenge; Shouts and Sigil Stones serve the same purpose, in that they are acquired through completing Oblivion Gates and vanquishing dragons or clearing dungeons.

As a gamer, I often find myself stumbling upon these Sigil Stones that can mysteriously enhance my gear. Sometimes, I hit the jackpot with an enchantment that completely transforms my gaming experience, but at other times, it seems like I’ve just picked up a worthless trinket for an Oblivion Gate.

Exclamations can play a similar role, yet they represent a power you possess instead. At times, I’d still encounter a Shout that wasn’t particularly useful to me, but it added an additional benefit to my character, in addition to any enchantments I desired.

Overall, Shouts can seem more entertaining to experiment with compared to Sigil Stones. However, when used strategically, Sigil Stones could potentially be more effective.

8.
Art Direction

Skyrim

In terms of graphical superiority, there’s no contest between Oblivion Remastered and its counterpart. However, given the significant time gap between them, it’s not exactly an engaging discussion when one game is clearly a more recent release.

A more captivating discussion could center around the artistic direction of Skyrim, understanding that personal preference plays a significant role in this assessment.

These two games boast exceptional artistic design. Oblivion offers numerous breathtaking moments, with the Imperial City being particularly awe-inspiring to gaze upon.

To be honest, the scenery, structures, and ambiance seem a tad ordinary to my tastes. However, this could be appropriate given that it is the capital city of Tamriel, where classic architectural designs might be expected.

In the realm of Skyrim, it’s clear that many design elements draw heavily from Norse influence. However, this blend creates an unique immersion into the distinct culture and setting of Skyrim in a particularly compelling fashion.

7.
Quests/Story

Oblivion Remastered

In essence, this choice isn’t overly complicated, but there’s an important note: Both games offer extraordinary questlines, introducing characters that resonate deeply and decisions that seem significant.

Both games offer a challenging decision, as they are equally captivating with their immersive storylines and memorable characters that make your choices matter.

In my opinion, the emotional depth and character development in Oblivion are significantly greater compared to Skyrim. The quests are more diverse, offering a wider range of objectives and characters that are often unpredictable, adding a sense of liveliness to the game.

In Skyrim, some quests can be incredibly moving; the first time I completed the Companions storyline and read Kodlak’s journal still stands out in my mind. Perhaps it’s even more poignant because not every character in Skyrim feels truly alive, so when you encounter one that does, it leaves a lasting impression.

All in all, compared to Oblivion, the characters in Skyrim seem a little bit less full.

6.
Open World

Skyrim

As a gamer, I can feel the stark contrast between these two titles. While both Skyrim and Oblivion have their charms, it’s hard to ignore the vibrancy that Skyrim offers. It seems as though its open world is teeming with life in a way that Oblivion’s doesn’t quite manage, perhaps due to technical limitations or creative decisions.

In my opinion, the open world in Oblivion isn’t terrible at all. However, it does seem to lack depth and can be quite predictable. I’ve encountered an excessive number of Bandit Camps along the road, and I’d say the count is more than enough. It feels like Way Too Many!

In the realm of Skyrim, there are instances that might fall short, yet there are countless times when I am compelled to pause and fully appreciate its beauty – moments brimming with sheer enchantment.

This world genuinely brings me to life, making me feel as if I’m encountering real, pulsating entities, rather than merely moving from one location to another.

5.
Combat/Magic

Oblivion Remastered

This is quite challenging to evaluate as the style of combat can vary greatly based on the player. However, when it comes to my preferred playstyle, Oblivion Remastered takes a slight edge for me, mainly because of its broader magic system offerings.

In terms of weapon-based combat, Skyrim stands out more than other games, not because its combat is exceptional, but because it’s effective and fun in its own way. The kill cameras in Skyrim give it a unique charm; I can never grow tired of those brief moments where time seems to slow down (slow motion or bullet time).

In terms of magical elements, Oblivion Remastered surpasses its counterpart significantly, offering an extensive array of magic that cannot be fully encapsulated within this discussion.

When playing a Mage character in Oblivion Remastered, you’ll find an abundance of diverse spell choices at your disposal. Additionally, you’ll be equipped with the skill to create personalized spells, ensuring you have the agility to tackle a wide range of scenarios you may encounter during gameplay.

For anybody touching magic, Oblivion is going to win this category.

4.
Alchemy

Oblivion Remastered

As a devoted gamer, I’ve found that the alchemy systems in both games share some common ground, but ‘Oblivion’ has a few standout differences that give it an edge.

In the world of Skyrim, it’s essential to have an Alchemy Lab in order to brew potions. Discovering places with an Alchemy Lab becomes more valuable after realizing this fact.

As a dedicated alchemist on-the-go, I gather various components essential for an Alchemy Lab in my journey. The quality of these parts and my own Alchemy skill level will determine whether I concoct superior elixirs or inferior ones when crafting potions.

In Skyrim, the mechanics may seem clearer, but the ability to concoct potions anytime, along with the importance of seeking improved Alchemy tools to brew effective potions, adds a layer of depth and challenge to the system.

It’s not pointed out that Oblivion offers a broader range of potion effects, which can make it more engaging and worthwhile to delve into its specifics.

3.
Modding Support

Skyrim

In essence, Skyrim boasts an abundant collection of mods spanning over a decade, along with console-friendly modding support. This allows me to enjoy Skyrim on various platforms I own, while also using mods on multiple occasions.

The updated version of Oblivion doesn’t have nearly as many possibilities for customization or modification (modding) as the original. This is because console versions don’t currently offer modding support. However, as time passes, it’s possible that this might change, but for now, it lags behind in terms of user-generated content compared to its predecessor.

2.
Dungeons

Skyrim

There might be instances when others come at me with weapons like knives and pitchforks, but let me say this: I much rather enjoy the dungeons in Skyrim compared to those found in Oblivion Remastered.

In the game Oblivion Remastered, there are some dungeons that I find intriguing; specifically, the Ayleid Ruins often hold a lot of fascination for me, as they can be quite dynamic with plenty happening within their depths.

The majority of Aeylid ruins typically contain distinctive mechanisms or brain-teasing conundrums. While these puzzles might not be overly difficult, they give the impression that they were designed by individuals who enjoyed testing your wits, rather than simply following a template. However, I must admit that the dungeons in Oblivion felt somewhat routine.

In the realm of Skyrim, I stumbled upon countless dungeons that kept me on my toes with unexpected discoveries and necessitated a swift change in tactics to conquer them. Yet, it’s worth noting that there were recurring patterns: the variety of puzzles wasn’t vast, and once you’ve cracked one, you can usually solve them all.

But, on the whole, I found Skyrim‘s dungeons more consistently impressive.

1.
Winner

Skyrim

I deeply enjoy both of these games, particularly “Skyrim”. I’ve invested quite a lot of time into it – it was my initial foray into M-rated titles, and I had to make some persuasive arguments to convince my parents to allow me to play it.

I pulled it off, and I don’t think I’ve ever been quite as captured by a world as I was then.

I’ve played less of the game Oblivion Remastered due to its relatively short time on the market. However, I am eagerly anticipating investing more time in the world of Oblivion, as well as getting reacquainted with its characters (and zipping around at high speed with my swift Khajit thief).

Although I may not hold the same affection or sentimentality towards it, this doesn’t take away from the elements that make the game function effectively.

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2025-05-31 21:41