Bruce Nesmith, the senior game designer behind the original The Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion, has expressed his awe at the work done on Bethesda and Virtuos' Oblivion Remastered. In a conversation with VideoGamer, Nesmith highlighted the extensive effort that went into the original 2006 RPG and how the remaster has taken this to new heights. He emphasized that the term "remaster" might not fully capture the scope of the changes made, given the complete overhaul of animations, the integration of the Unreal Engine, and modifications to the leveling system and user interface.
Despite no prior official announcement from Bethesda, the release of Oblivion Remastered has been met with widespread acclaim from fans. The update ranges from visual enhancements to significant gameplay modifications, including a new sprint mechanic and adjustments to the leveling system. This has led many, including Nesmith, to consider it more of a remake than a mere remaster. He suggested that it might be better described as "Oblivion 2.0" due to the extensive nature of the changes.
In further discussing the remaster, Nesmith reiterated that the term "remaster" may not do justice to the project, suggesting it requires a new term altogether. Bethesda, in response to fan reactions, explained via a social media statement that their goal was not to remake Oblivion but to modernize the experience for both returning players and newcomers. They emphasized their desire to preserve the essence of the game while enhancing it for today's audience, stating, "We know many of our longtime fans will be thrilled to revisit Oblivion and the land of Cyrodiil... Our hope with this remaster is, that no matter who you are, when you step out of the Imperial sewer – you feel like you’re experiencing it for the first time."
Oblivion Remastered was released unexpectedly yesterday and is now available on PC, PlayStation 5, and Xbox Series X and S. Xbox Game Pass Ultimate subscribers can access it at no additional cost. The surprise launch has sparked excitement within the Elder Scrolls community, particularly among modders. For those interested in diving deeper, a comprehensive guide is available, featuring an Interactive Map, complete Walkthroughs for the Main Questline and Guild Quests, character building tips, and more.
