For months rumors have circulated that developer Bethesda was about to release a remastered version of its timeless classic action RPG The Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion–now one has finally arrived and it looks so good I can barely believe my eyes.
The remaster boasts the complete Oblivion world–Cyrodiil and all–beautifully remade with high-resolution textures and new lighting. The graphical conversion comes courtesy of the game development engine Unreal Engine 5, with a little input from Bethesda’s in-house gaming engine to keep it looking as true to the original version as possible.
Thanks to Unreal Engine 5, players will now be able to play Oblivion in 4K at up to 60 FPS, enjoying a level of detail they could otherwise only dream of in the original. They can forget about wandering past trees and shrubs that seemingly appear in 2D, for example, because they’ll now be rendered in mind-blowing 3D, like everything else in the game.
In addition to a graphics overhaul, the remaster boasts an updated UI as well as updated sound and visual effects. New enemy combat animations have been added too, which are sure to infuse an added level of adrenalin into fast-paced arena combat matches.
As the next installment in the Elder Scrolls franchise after Morrowind, it placed gamers in the most detailed and groundbreaking fantasy world of its time, full of interesting environments and interactive objects they could carry, move, and use. It was also teeming with reactive NPCs that would change their behavior according to what players did–look out, thieves, they’re going to catch you!
But as great as it was, over the years Oblivion’s graphics became outdated compared to newer games. Most Oblivion fans moved on to greener pastures–or at least whiter ones–when the next installment of the Elder Scrolls, the Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim, was released in 2014. I know I did, but I always kept a flame alive for the possibility of an Oblivion remake.
Right now, I’m itching to download a copy and return to Cyrodiil. I still have a few lingering questions, though, like if I’ll be able to play my existing Oblivion mods in the remaster, but there’s no word yet from Bethesda on that point. Here’s hoping they’ll be easily adaptable…
The Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion Remastered is available now on Windows PC on Steam or via a Game Pass Ultimate subscription. It’s also available on Xbox Series X and PlayStation 5.