"Oblivion Remastered: Dev Admits World-Scale Leveling Mistake"

Discover the insights of an original developer of The Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion on the controversial world-scale leveling system and the extensive changes brought by the remastered version. Dive in to understand how these modifications have shaped the game's enduring appeal.

The Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion Remastered Changes Applauded by Former Dev

In a revealing interview with VideoGamer, Bruce Nesmith, a key designer of the original Oblivion, shared his candid views on the game's leveling mechanics. Despite the world-scale leveling system's return in Oblivion Remastered, Nesmith openly acknowledged it as a misstep from the original release.

Nesmith, who has also contributed to the design of Fallout 3, Skyrim, and Starfield, praised the adjustments made to the leveling system in the remaster, noting that these changes align more closely with modern gaming expectations. The original game required players to level up specific skills repeatedly and rest to enhance their attributes. In contrast, the remastered version adopts a system akin to Skyrim, where players earn XP across all skill lines, a change Nesmith hailed as "brave".

However, Nesmith expressed reservations about the world-scale leveling feature, which adjusts enemy levels in sync with the player's progression. He reflected, "I think the world levelling with you was a mistake and that’s proven out by the fact it did not happen the same way in Skyrim." This system, which has been a point of contention since Oblivion's 2006 debut, prompted fans to develop mods to alter it. With its inclusion in the remaster, the modding community has once again stepped up to offer solutions.

Oblivion Remastered is More Than Just a Remaster

The Oblivion Remastered project has exceeded expectations, transforming the classic Elder Scrolls title into something far beyond a mere update. Nesmith, who anticipated only texture enhancements akin to Skyrim: Special Edition, was astounded by the depth of the remastering efforts. In another VideoGamer interview, he remarked, "[It’s] a staggering amount of remastering. It almost needs its own word, quite frankly. I’m not sure remaster actually does it justice."

Bethesda's commitment to revamping Oblivion using Unreal Engine 5 has not only overcome the limitations of the original but also garnered widespread acclaim for its high-quality execution. At Game8, we awarded Oblivion Remastered a stellar 90 out of 100, celebrating its passionate homage to Cyrodiil, meticulously reimagined with contemporary technology. To delve deeper into our review, explore our detailed article below!