The Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion Remastered — A Legend Reborn: First Impressions

On April 22, 2025, Virtuos, guided by Bethesda, caught everyone off guard by suddenly releasing The Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion Remastered. This review of The Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion Remastered will dive into how the 2006 classic has been brought back to life, becoming a major event for fans. We’ll explore what’s changed in the game, the emotions it’s stirring in players, and whether it’s worth diving into the revamped world of Cyrodiil. The launch has already drawn thousands of players worldwide, who are eagerly sharing their experiences, reminiscing about adventures from nearly 20 years ago. So, let’s take a closer look at why this game has once again captured so many hearts!

The Launch of The Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion Remastered: Why It’s the Event of the Year

The original The Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion, which hit shelves back in 2006, was a game-changer for the RPG genre. As IGN notes, it blew players away on the Xbox 360 with its expansive open world and unparalleled freedom, marking it as one of the first true “next-gen” experiences of its era. Fast forward nearly two decades, and Virtuos has breathed new life into it, crafting a remake that turned heads on its release day, becoming nothing short of a sensation.

As Xbox Wire reports, the game is now available on PC, PS5, and Xbox Series X/S, and Xbox Game Pass Ultimate subscribers can jump in for free right from day one. Meanwhile, TrueAchievements points out that the excitement around the remake has even sparked renewed interest in the original: in the week leading up to the launch, the number of players on Xbox surged by 85%. On top of that, the game rocketed to the top of Steam’s sales charts on release day, surpassing heavyweights like Counter-Strike 2 and Overwatch 2. In fact, as Steam reports, it hit a peak of 180,000 concurrent players, making it the most popular single-player RPG on the platform, even outshining Baldur’s Gate 3. Fans who grew up with the original are sharing their emotions, often calling this a nostalgic return to their childhood. For many, it’s not just a game—it’s an entire era, now brought back in vibrant new colors.

Graphics and Atmosphere: What Does Cyrodiil Look Like in 2025?

The Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion Remastered has been entirely rebuilt using Unreal Engine 5, taking its visuals to a whole new level. As PushSquare notes, the game now supports 4K resolution and 60 FPS, with textures, lighting, and weather effects that are simply stunning. Water shimmers under the sunlight, torches cast soft, realistic shadows, and wooden elements like docks feel lifelike. However, not everything is perfect: a lot of players have noticed that the world’s color palette has taken on a more muted tone, leaning heavily into earthy shades. As Polygon points out, rivers and lakes have a “muddy” look, making Cyrodiil feel less vibrant than it did in the original.

I remember Oblivion for its bright, almost painterly landscapes and overall vivid graphics. That said, the remake hasn’t disappointed me one bit. In real life, we don’t exactly run into psychedelic colors, do we? For those who crave a more vibrantly colorful world, though, you might enjoy playing Avowed, which we’ve covered in an article on our site. 🙂

What Are Players Saying About the Visuals?

As players on Reddit have shared, many appreciate how the character animations are now much smoother, making movements—like running or swimming—feel far more natural. For instance, one player raved about the revamped weather effects: “The rain and snow look so real now that you almost feel like you’re freezing in Bruma.” Others have pointed out enhancements in specific locations: “The Imperial City looks like a true metropolis with those new textures.” Besides, the dungeons have earned plenty of praise—new lighting effects add a real sense of depth to underground areas. That said, some players have noted that while the updated NPC faces are more detailed, they’ve lost the quirky charm of the 2006 version.

Key Changes: How Does The Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion Remastered Differ From the Original?

The Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion Remastered isn’t just a graphical overhaul—it’s a full-on remake that touches nearly every aspect of the game. Let’s break down what’s different compared to the 2006 version so you can get a sense of what to expect when you return to Cyrodiil.

Graphics

Back in the day, Cyrodiil was a vivid, almost fantastical place—lush green meadows, bright blue skies, and bold colors gave it a magical vibe. The Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion Remastered now supports 4K resolution and 60 FPS, with fresh character models, enemies, environments, plus upgraded lighting, weather, and magic effects. For example, you’ll notice realistic rain and snow effects that shift with the time of day, while smoother animations make character movements feel more lifelike.

NPC faces have also evolved: gone are the blocky, “potato-like” models, replaced by detailed faces with better facial animations that make conversations more expressive—though some fans miss the old-school look.

Personally, I love the new faces; they remind me of the intricate character designs you’d see in the works of someone like Albrecht Dürer, with a real sense of depth and personality.

Gameplay

In the original, character movements felt stiff, and combat seemed sluggish by today’s standards. The Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion Remastered adds new animations, making actions like running, jumping, sneaking, and swimming far more enjoyable. There’s now a sprint feature that uses stamina, much like in Skyrim—a lifesaver when you need to escape enemies quickly.

As IGN highlights, combat is now more engaging: attacks, blocks, and archery come with updated animations, and enemies react differently depending on where you hit them—for instance, a dagger strike to the head triggers a unique response compared to a hit to the body. Enemy movement speed has been toned down, allowing for more tactical battles, and the third-person camera now tracks over the shoulder for a better view. Stealth has also been improved: instead of a simple “eye” indicator (visible or not), it now gradually opens, much like in Skyrim, showing how close you are to being detected. On top of that, there’s an optional aim-assist feature you can toggle in the settings, plus a compass that displays the distance to your objective, making navigation a breeze.

Character Progression

In the original, leveling up relied heavily on your major skills, which could lead to issues—enemies might scale too quickly if you didn’t allocate points wisely. The Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion Remastered makes leveling more flexible: when you level up, you now get 12 Virtue Points to distribute across attributes, and even minor skills contribute to your experience. Enemies no longer scale as aggressively with your level, making the game more approachable for newcomers.

Character creation has been revamped as well: instead of choosing a gender, you now select between body types (Type 1 and Type 2)—which, by the way, threw me off at first. You can also pick an origin, like Arensia for speed or Thornmarch for intelligence, which affects your starting stats. New customization options let you choose eye, skin, and hair colors, and the face sliders now come with numerical values for more precise tweaking.

Audio

Back in 2006, storage limitations meant Bethesda often reused the same voice lines for multiple NPCs, which made things feel a bit repetitive. The Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion Remastered introduces new voice recordings, reworks some existing ones, and enhances sound effects for combat, nature, and footsteps.

Now, NPC voices are muffled by walls, and large spaces like chapels feature an echo effect, adding a layer of realism to the world. The soundtrack has been polished too, keeping the original melodies but with improved clarity, while ambient sounds—like birds chirping—sound more lifelike. You can actually listen to the entire soundtrack on YouTube if you’re curious!

Interface

The original interface was clunky, especially for console players, often forcing them to rely on mods like Darnified UI. The Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion Remastered revamps the interface for the better: the compass now sits at the top, showing the distance to your objective, while health, magicka, and stamina bars are neatly placed at the bottom. Inventory and magic menus are more informative, hotkeys on the D-pad (like for quick map access) streamline navigation, and the world map is easier to read thanks to updated icons. The dialogue system has been refined too—the persuasion wheel is now more intuitive, visually indicating a character’s preferences.

That said, I didn’t find everything in the interface as user-friendly as I’d hoped. For instance, I’m still figuring out how to add spells and weapons to my favorites menu—something I never struggled with in the original game.

Other Features

The original had a vague difficulty slider, but now there are five distinct difficulty levels, from very easy to very hard, letting you tailor the experience to your liking. Autosaves have been added for location changes, resting, or waiting, and PS5 players can now earn trophies, which the original PS3 version lacked. Console players can also choose between quality and performance modes, plus take advantage of accessibility options like adjustable text size.

However, if you’re someone like me who prefers an easier playthrough, the lowest difficulty might feel a bit too easy—enemies often fall with a single hit, so you might want to bump it up a notch for a more balanced challenge.

First Impressions: What Do Players Think of The Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion Remastered?

As Steam reports, the remake has been warmly received: on Steam, the game boasts an 86% “very positive” rating, reflecting widespread enthusiasm among players. Fans who played the original are reminiscing about their early adventures, thrilled to see the game brought up to modern standards. Some have pointed out performance hiccups on mid-range PCs, while one player noted, “The NPC faces are sharper now, but they’ve lost that quirky charm from 2006—they used to look hilariously odd, but now they’re almost too serious.” On the flip side, dungeons have earned high praise for their atmosphere—one player commented, “The new shadows make dungeons feel downright eerie.”

Positive feedback keeps rolling in. For instance, one player shared, “The updated textures make the Imperial City absolutely stunning,” while another gushed, “The new NPC voices with that echo in chapels sound magical.” Others are loving the gameplay improvements: “The new combat animations make battles so smooth—I can’t stop fighting,” one fan wrote. Another added, “The revamped stealth system finally lets you play as a thief without getting spotted every second.” Overall, players agree that the remake breathes new life into a classic, even if it’s not without its flaws.

What’s Worth Seeing in the Revamped Cyrodiil?

No review of The Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion Remastered would be complete without highlighting some of the locations that have been beautifully reimagined. Here are a few spots you should check out to experience the magic of this updated world.

• Imperial City: Cyrodiil’s capital has become even grander. The new textures make it feel like a true medieval metropolis, with lighting that adds depth. The White-Gold Tower stands out against the revamped sky, and the updated NPC animations make the streets feel more alive.
• Anvil: This coastal city, once known for its stunning seaside views, now shines with enhanced lighting effects. The details on the port and the mermaid statue are impressive, and the view of the sea is more refined, adding to the atmosphere—sunsets over the city are particularly breathtaking.
• Basement of the Abandoned House in Cheydinhal: This spot feels more intense thanks to new shadow effects that create a real sense of danger. The stone walls look more authentic, and the shadows heighten the tension.
• Oblivion Gates: Updated models for the gates and demons—like dremora and ghosts—make battles in these areas more epic. Fiery effects and new enemy animations amplify the sense of danger.
• Frostcrag Spire: Players have spotted this location near the White-Gold Tower—its refreshed look promises exciting adventures for mages. The snow effects around the tower are more detailed, adding a touch of magic.

How Does The Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion Remastered Compare to Other Games?

The Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion Remastered offers a distinct experience that sets it apart from other RPGs. Compared to Skyrim, it leans into a darker tone: while Skyrim boasts snowy mountains and vibrant northern lights, where you battle dragons and feel like a legendary hero, the remastered world of Oblivion focuses more on deep lore and shadowy tales. Skyrim is all about epic dragon fights and a lighter, more accessible vibe—its combat system is simpler, and its lore centers on dragon mythology. Oblivion, however, pulls you into a grittier narrative, especially through quests like the Dark Brotherhood storyline, where you join a sinister guild. Skyrim gives you more freedom to explore, whereas Oblivion emphasizes the structured narratives of its guilds.

Oblivion Remastered shares some similarities with Fallout 3, as both games prioritize rich lore and exploration. But while Fallout 3 immerses you in a post-apocalyptic wasteland, fighting mutants and scavenging ruined cities, The Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion Remastered transports you to the fantasy realm of Cyrodiil, where you can explore ancient ruins and battle Oblivion’s demons. Fallout 3’s combat leans on the V.A.T.S. system and firearms, whereas Oblivion Remastered focuses on melee combat and magic, with updated animations that make battles smoother. Fallout 3’s lore offers a dark satire of a post-apocalyptic world, while Oblivion delivers a more traditional fantasy experience with intricate guild stories.

Unlike Baldur’s Gate 3, which thrives on cooperative play and complex turn-based combat, The Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion Remastered is all about solo exploration. Baldur’s Gate 3 appeals to players who enjoy teamwork and tactical depth—its combat demands strategic thinking, and the story hinges on group decisions. Oblivion Remastered, on the other hand, gives you complete freedom in a vast world where you chart your own course, whether that’s joining the Mages Guild or delving into ruins. Baldur’s Gate 3 takes a modern approach to storytelling with a heavy focus on role-playing, while Oblivion Remastered keeps a retro charm, prioritizing open-ended exploration.

Pros and Cons: Should You Return to Cyrodiil?

Pros of The Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion Remastered

• Unreal Engine 5 Graphics: With 4K resolution and 60 FPS support, plus new textures and lighting effects, the world feels incredibly detailed. For example, dungeons are now more atmospheric thanks to dynamic lighting.
• Smoother Combat: Updated animations for attacks, blocks, and archery make battles more engaging, and sprinting lets you maneuver faster. A dagger strike to the head, for instance, triggers a different reaction than a hit to the body.
• Enhanced Stealth: The stealth system now shows gradual detection, making it more intuitive than before—perfect for thief quests.
• User-Friendly Interface: The compass displays your objective’s distance, D-pad hotkeys streamline navigation, and revamped menus are a breeze to use. The world map is also more readable with new icons.
• Improved Audio: New voice lines and richer environmental sounds—like combat or nature—bring the world to life. NPC voices echoing in chapels sound particularly striking.
• Five Difficulty Levels: You can now choose from very easy to very hard, catering to players of all skill levels and making the game more approachable for beginners.

Cons of the Remake

• Performance Issues: Mid-range PCs might struggle, and the game’s 115 GB size demands a lot of storage. Players recommend checking system requirements.
• Loss of NPC Charm: The new, detailed character faces lack the quirky uniqueness of the original—some fans miss the old style.
• No Console Mod Support: Unlike PC, Xbox and PS5 players can’t use mods, limiting customization options.

Comparison Breakdown

Final Thoughts: Why The Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion Remastered Is the Comeback We’ve Been Waiting For

The Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion Remastered feels like reconnecting with an old friend who’s looking better than ever yet still has that same heart. The remake revitalizes a classic, offering stunning visuals, more dynamic combat, and a streamlined interface—though the lack of console mod support might disappoint a few players. It’s a perfect opportunity for newcomers to discover Cyrodiil and for veterans to relive cherished moments with modern polish. If you’re ready to explore ancient ruins and battle demons, this remake is for you. What do you think—let us know in the comments what you loved about the game!

One thing to note: if you’re someone who knows the original inside out or played it recently, you might find it a tad repetitive. That’s not the developers’ fault, though—this is a high-quality remaster, not a completely reimagined game.

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