A blast from the past with some new improvements

As Bethesda celebrates the nearly nineteenth anniversary of The Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion's release, it offers a remastered edition that unites the beauty of this 2006 title with the benefits of updated gaming today.

The remastered edition was launched on April 22, 2025, on all Xbox Series X|S, PlayStation 5, Steam, and Game Pass systems, allowing both old fans and new players to enjoy this title again.

Visual upgrades with gameplay adjustments

Oblivion Remastered delivers a significant visual upgrade with Unreal Engine 5, featuring sharper textures, improved lighting, and better character models.

However, some fans have noted a shift to a darker, browner colour palette, sparking debate over the new aesthetic. Beyond visuals, the remaster adopts Skyrim-style gameplay updates, including a sprint option, improved levelling, smoother combat animations, and a cleaner third-person view.

While the combat still feels a bit dated, and minor performance issues linger, the overall experience significantly improves. 

Keeping the original character

The remaster's strength lies in keeping the original game's quirky charm. First, it did not change the iconic voice-acting performances of actors such as Patrick Stewart and Sean Bean.

The remastered device maintains the original's character through its often-distracting NPC dialogues. Interestingly, the remaster included the once-controversial horse armour DLC, which now appears in a Deluxe edition with a few new quests and armour sets. The Horse Armor DLC revived the debate on microtransactions that first materialised with Oblivion's original launch.

Commercial progress and player engagement

The remastered edition has enjoyed tremendous commercial success, rapidly reaching the top of the Steam global sales charts at launch.

Just days after launching, Bethesda reported over 4 million players had engaged with the remaster, reminding us of the lasting popularity of the Elder Scrolls franchise.

Comparing recent remasters

Oblivion Remastered joins a strong lineup of successful remasters honouring classic games while enhancing them. Resident Evil 2 (2019) reimagined the survival horror classic and sold over 14.5 million copies. Dead Space (2023) won praise for its faithful yet improved retelling, while Demon's Souls (2020) showcased next-gen visuals and gameplay, selling over 1.8 million copies. Great remasters preserve legacy while inviting new players in.

Not all remasters succeed, though. Warcraft III: Reforged (2020) was criticised for missing features and technical issues. Silent Hill HD Collection (2012) and GTA: The Trilogy (2021) also suffered from bugs, poor visuals, and lost atmosphere, proving that respect for the original is key.

A testament to timeless design

While the remaster has made new additions, it also brings the original Oblivion's timeless design to the forefront. The game's open-world explorations, flexible class system, and rich storytelling can still engage players and hold their interests, even after all these years; it demonstrates that backpacking throughout Tamriel in Oblivion feels good, regardless of when you do it. Both veterans returning to Tamriel and those first discovering the land will find nostalgic and innovative elements within Oblivion Remastered to prove the legacy of a genre-defining RPG. 

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