‘The Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion Remastered' game review

The Hindu

19-05-2025

For those who remember, Oblivion was synonymous with the Xbox 360 era, one of the high points in Microsoft's console history. Experiencing a vast, open-ended role-playing game on an HD television back then was unforgettable, a feeling many gamers have bottled up ever since. While Bethesda could have chosen to remaster The Elder Scrolls: Arena, Daggerfall, or even Morrowind, I, for one, am grateful we have received Oblivion first. This remaster gives us a chance to relive that magic, now with all the quality-of-life improvements we have come to expect from today's open-world RPGs.
Set in the heartlands of Cyrodiil, just south of Skyrim's snow-capped, dragon-infested peaks, Oblivion places you in the boots of the Hero of Kvatch. After a lengthy tutorial, you emerge from a prison cell and into a world in peril. Uriel Septim VII, the emperor of Tamriel, crosses your path during his attempted escape and recognises your face from a prophetic dream. His untimely assassination at the hands of a mysterious cult leaves you with a monumental task: to close the Oblivion gates and face the fiery horrors of the Daedra.
Fans of the Elder Scrolls series will know what to expect: a vast sandbox teeming with freedom. You can become a thief, a mercenary, a necromancer, a Daedric devotee or even a vampire. The world is dense with quests, side stories, and activities. Whether you are taking on guild missions or pickpocketing NPCs for fun, Oblivion offers that classic, chaotic charm that inspired countless memes.
Returning to the original game today can be tough, especially with how far first-person RPGs have come. That is why one of the most welcome improvements in the remaster is the completely overhauled combat. Weapon swings feel solid, and enemies react with satisfying weight. Fortunately, the developers have kept the spirit of the original intact, enhancing fluidity without straying too far from what made the game unique.
Character creation has also seen significant upgrades, as expected with a new engine. You can still sculpt some of the most hilariously grotesque faces imaginable, now with added facial hair. At this screen, part of me longed for a full remake with Kingdom Come: Deliverance 2's level of detail, but the nostalgic tone remains. New body types and origin options have been added, affecting your stats, though the core class system is still present. And yes, the beloved Spellsword remains as powerful as ever.
The Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion Remastered
Publisher: Bethesda
Developer: Virtuos, Bethesda Game Studios
Price: ₹4,999 on Steam, Xbox One, Playstation 5
With Unreal Engine 5 under the hood, Oblivion Remastered is visually striking, offering enhanced fidelity, smoother frame rates, and richer detail. That said, one thing I sorely miss is the iconic lush greenery that defined Cyrodiil. In the original, the landscape was vibrant, filled with glowing Ayleid ruins and rolling forests. The remaster feels more muted and earthy, lacking the colour palette I associate with the game. Thankfully, modders have already stepped in to restore that lost vibrance — on PC, at least.
In its heyday, Oblivion was both a visual and auditory feast, and this remaster builds on that legacy. The sweeping score still tugs at your heart, and much of the original content remains faithfully preserved—including the bugs. Some seem to have been intentionally left in for nostalgia's sake. Daedric encounters still thrill as you close the gates, and the game's standout quests hold up brilliantly. One of my favourites — a Knives Out-style whodunnit — can be found in the Dark Brotherhood storyline. If you have never played it, do not miss it.
It has been a demanding time for our gaming budgets lately, on one side, we have Clair Obscur: Expedition 33, and now Oblivion Remastered on the other. That said, a return to Cyrodiil is never a bad idea. Whether you are stepping into this world for the first time or you are a returning Hero of Kvatch, be prepared to lose 80 to 100 hours of your life. It is absolutely worth it.