"Oblivion's Impact Surpasses Skyrim's, Even Today"

Ask most gamers who owned an Xbox 360, and despite the infamous Red Ring of Death, they'll likely share fond memories with you. The Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion is one of those cherished memories for many, including myself. At the time, I was working at Official Xbox Magazine, and although the successful Xbox port of The Elder Scrolls III: Morrowind didn't fully captivate me, Oblivion did from the start. Originally planned as a day-one launch title for the Xbox 360, we featured Oblivion in multiple cover stories, with its screenshots captivating everyone. I eagerly took every opportunity to visit Bethesda in Rockville, Maryland, for those stories.

When it came time to review Oblivion, I was excited to take on the task, especially since exclusive reviews were common back then. I returned to Bethesda and spent four consecutive, glorious 11-hour days immersed in Cyrodiil, the stunning medieval fantasy world of Oblivion. Before heading back home, I had logged 44 hours in the game, leading to my 9.5 out of 10 review for OXM, a score I still stand by today. The game was packed with engaging quests, like those from the Dark Brotherhood, and delightful surprises, such as the encounter with the unicorn. Playing on a submission build at Bethesda, I had to start over when I got my retail copy, but that didn't deter me. I poured another 130 hours into the game without hesitation, and I'm thrilled it's been remastered and re-released for modern platforms.

The Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion Remastered Screenshots

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For younger gamers who grew up with Skyrim, the newly released The Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion Remastered offers their first "new" mainline Elder Scrolls experience since Skyrim's initial launch over 13 years ago. While we all eagerly await The Elder Scrolls VI, which is still several years away, I'm envious of these younger players. However, I doubt Oblivion will have the same impact on them as it did for me back in March 2006. It's a game from two decades ago, and while Bethesda deserves kudos for releasing it now rather than waiting for its 20th anniversary, other games, including Bethesda's own Fallout 3, Skyrim, Fallout 4, and Starfield, have built upon what Oblivion pioneered. Additionally, the visual impact of Oblivion in 2006, when it was the first true next-gen game of the HD era, isn't as pronounced today. The remaster looks better than the original, but it doesn't stand out as it once did. Remasters aim to modernize older games for current platforms, unlike a complete remake like Resident Evil, which starts from scratch and aims to match or exceed modern visual standards.

The Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion was the perfect game at the perfect time. It fully utilized HD televisions and expanded the scope and scale of open-world gaming, delivering an unprecedented experience to console gamers used to 640x480 interlaced visuals. (Although, speaking of visual impact, EA's Fight Night Round 3, released in February 2006, was also stunning.)

My memories of Oblivion are numerous, as it offered a world brimming with discovery and adventure. For first-time players, I recommend either rushing through the main quest or saving it for last. Once you begin the main quest, Oblivion gates start spawning, so sealing them off quickly can enhance your experience.

The leap from Morrowind to Oblivion might be a once-in-a-lifetime technological advancement, though perhaps The Elder Scrolls 6 will surprise us. Playing Oblivion Remastered today won't feel as revolutionary as it did compared to Skyrim, but the fully realized medieval fantasy world and its adventures continue to make it my favorite Elder Scrolls game. I'm thrilled it's back, even if its release was anticipated for some time.