Ask most gamers who experienced the Xbox 360 era, and despite the infamous Red Ring of Death, they'll likely share fond memories. Among those cherished memories, The Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion stands out for many Xbox 360 owners, including myself. At the time, I was working at Official Xbox Magazine, and although the successful port of The Elder Scrolls III: Morrowind to Xbox didn't quite captivate me, Oblivion did so from the very beginning. Initially planned as a launch title for the second Xbox, Oblivion became a focal point for us, leading to multiple cover stories where the stunning screenshots alone were enough to captivate everyone. I eagerly participated in each trip to Bethesda's headquarters in Rockville, Maryland.
When it came time to review Oblivion, and during an era when exclusive reviews were the norm, I jumped at the opportunity once again. I spent four glorious days in a conference room in Bethesda's basement, immersing myself in the breathtaking world of Cyrodiil. Over those four consecutive 11-hour days, I lived almost entirely within this next-gen medieval fantasy world. Before my return flight, I had logged 44 hours on a submission build of the game, leading to OXM's 9.5 out of 10 review, a score I stand by to this day. Oblivion was an incredible game, brimming with engaging quests like the Dark Brotherhood, unexpected surprises such as the unicorn encounter, and much more. Since I played on a debug kit rather than a retail console, I had to start over when I received my final boxed copy of the game, into which I eagerly dove another 130 hours without hesitation. Now, with the release of The Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion Remastered on modern platforms, I am thrilled to revisit this cherished experience.
The Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion Remastered Screenshots
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For younger gamers who grew up with Skyrim, the recently released The Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion Remastered represents their first "new" mainline Elder Scrolls game since Skyrim's initial launch over 13 years ago. As a franchise fan, I envy this generation who see Skyrim as their defining Elder Scrolls experience, while we all eagerly await The Elder Scrolls VI, likely still 4-5 years away.
However, I doubt Oblivion will impact this new generation the same way it did for me back in March 2006. As a game that's now two decades old, its impact is less pronounced today. Other games, including Bethesda's own titles like Fallout 3, Skyrim, Fallout 4, and Starfield, have built upon what Oblivion achieved. Additionally, while the remaster enhances the visual experience, it no longer stands out as the groundbreaking "next-gen" game it was in 2006, during the early days of the HD era ushered in by the Xbox 360. Remasters aim to modernize older games for current platforms, contrasting with remakes like Resident Evil, which are rebuilt from the ground up to match or exceed current standards.
AnswerSee ResultsThe Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion was the perfect game at the perfect time. By fully leveraging HD televisions and expanding the scope of open-world gaming, it delivered a powerful experience to console gamers used to seeing their worlds through an interlaced 640x480 display. (Though, speaking of impactful releases, EA's Fight Night Round 3, released just a month before Oblivion in February 2006, was also stunningly beautiful.)
My memories of Oblivion are numerous, fueled by a world rich with exploration and activity. For those experiencing Oblivion for the first time, I recommend either rushing through the main quest or saving it until you've completed all side quests and open-world activities. The reason? Once you start the main questline, Oblivion gates will begin to spawn randomly, disrupting your exploration. It's best to address them early.
The leap from Morrowind to Oblivion may never be replicated, though perhaps The Elder Scrolls 6 might bring such a monumental shift if we wait long enough. While playing Oblivion Remastered won't offer the same stark contrast to Skyrim as it did to Morrowind, it remains a fully realized medieval fantasy world full of surprises and adventures. It's always been my favorite Elder Scrolls game, and I'm thrilled it's back, even if its release was anticipated multiple times before finally arriving.
