Oblivion's Impact Surpasses Skyrim's, Even Today

Ask most gamers who were around during the Xbox 360 era, and despite the infamous Red Ring of Death, they'll likely recount fond memories. Among those, The Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion holds a special place for many, including myself. Working at Official Xbox Magazine at the time, I found that while the successful port of The Elder Scrolls III: Morrowind to Xbox didn't capture me, Oblivion did from the start. Originally slated as a day-one launch title for the Xbox 360, Oblivion became the subject of multiple cover stories in our magazine. The stunning screenshots alone were breathtaking, and I eagerly participated in every trip to Bethesda's headquarters in Rockville, Maryland.

When it came time to review Oblivion, in an era where exclusive reviews were the norm, I jumped at the opportunity. I returned to Rockville, spending four glorious days—11 hours each—immersed in the world of Cyrodiil. Playing on a debug kit with a near-final version of the game, I logged 44 hours before writing OXM's 9.5 out of 10 review, a score I still stand by. Oblivion was filled with captivating quests like the Dark Brotherhood, unexpected delights such as the unicorn, and much more. After reviewing, I had to start anew with the retail version, but that didn't stop me from dedicating another 130 hours to the game. Thus, I'm thrilled to see it remastered and re-released on modern platforms.

The Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion Remastered Screenshots

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For gamers who grew up with Skyrim, the newly released The Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion Remastered represents their first "new" mainline Elder Scrolls game since Skyrim's initial release over 13 years ago. I envy these younger gamers for whom Skyrim defines the series, as they now experience Oblivion for the first time. Meanwhile, fans of all ages eagerly await The Elder Scrolls VI, still several years away.

While I doubt Oblivion will have the same impact on today's gamers as it did for me in March 2006, it remains a landmark title. Now a two-decade-old game, it paved the way for subsequent Bethesda titles like Fallout 3, Skyrim, Fallout 4, and Starfield. Although the remaster enhances the visuals, it doesn't stand out as dramatically as it did in 2006, when it was considered the first true next-gen game of the HD era. Unlike a full remake like Resident Evil, which aims to look as good or better than current titles, remasters aim to modernize older games on current platforms.

Oblivion was the right game at the right time, leveraging HD technology to expand the scope of open-world gaming. It was a revelation for console gamers used to lower resolution displays, especially following the visually impressive Fight Night Round 3 released just a month earlier.

My memories of Oblivion are filled with exploration and discovery. For first-time players, I recommend either rushing through the main quest or saving it for last to avoid the constant interruptions from Oblivion gates. The leap from Morrowind to Oblivion was monumental, and while The Elder Scrolls 6 might bring similar innovation, Oblivion Remastered offers a less jarring experience compared to Skyrim. Whether you're a newcomer or a veteran, Oblivion's fully realized medieval fantasy world continues to be my favorite in the series, and its remastering brings back that magic, even if the surprise was somewhat spoiled beforehand.