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

Ask most gamers who were around for the Xbox 360 era, and, aside from the infamous Red Ring of Death, they'll likely share a multitude of fond memories. Among these, *The Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion* stands out as a cherished title for many Xbox 360 owners, including myself. At the time, I was working at Official Xbox Magazine, and while the successful port of *The Elder Scrolls III: Morrowind* to Xbox didn't quite capture my interest, *Oblivion* grabbed my attention from the start. Originally slated as a launch title for the Xbox 360, *Oblivion* was the subject of multiple cover stories due to its breathtaking screenshots. Eager to delve deeper, I volunteered for every trip to Bethesda's headquarters in Rockville, Maryland.

When the time came to review *Oblivion*, and during an era where exclusive reviews were the norm, I jumped at the opportunity once again. I spent four glorious days in a conference room in Bethesda's basement, immersing myself in the vast and stunning world of Cyrodiil. Over those 11-hour days, I logged 44 hours before writing OXM's 9.5 out of 10 review, a score I still stand by today. *Oblivion* was an incredible game, filled with captivating quests like the Dark Brotherhood, unexpected discoveries such as the unicorn, and so much more. Since I played a submission build on an Xbox 360 debug kit, I had to start anew once I received the final retail copy—a game I had already invested nearly two full days into.

The Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion Remastered Screenshots

View 6 Images

I eagerly poured another 130 hours into The Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion, so it's no surprise that I'm thrilled about its remastered and re-released version on modern platforms. 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 debuted over 13 years ago. As franchise fans eagerly await The Elder Scrolls VI, which is likely still 4-5 years away, this remaster offers a welcome return to the series.

While I doubt *Oblivion* will resonate with today's younger gamers in the same way it did for me back in March 2006, it remains a groundbreaking title. It's now a two-decade-old game, and while Bethesda chose to release it this year rather than waiting for its 20th anniversary, it's clear that other games have since built upon its innovations. Titles like *Fallout 3*, *Skyrim*, *Fallout 4*, and *Starfield* have further developed the open-world genre. Additionally, the visual impact of *Oblivion* in 2006, when it was heralded as the first true next-gen game of the HD era, doesn't hold the same awe-inspiring power today. The remaster, while improved, doesn't stand out as dramatically as it once did. Remasters aim to refresh older games for current platforms, unlike full remakes, such as *Resident Evil*, which are rebuilt from the ground up to meet modern standards.

*The Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion* was the perfect game at the perfect time. It leveraged the power of HD televisions to expand the scope and scale of what gamers expected from an open-world experience. It was a revelation for console gamers accustomed to lower resolution displays. (Incidentally, around the same time, in February 2006, EA released *Fight Night Round 3*, which was equally stunning visually.)

My memories of *Oblivion* are abundant, filled with exploration and endless activities. For first-time players, I recommend either rushing through the main quest or saving it until after exploring every side quest and open-world activity. The reason? Once you start the main quest, Oblivion gates will spawn randomly and can become a nuisance, so sealing them off quickly can enhance your experience.

The technological leap from *Morrowind* to *Oblivion* may be a once-in-a-lifetime event, though perhaps *The Elder Scrolls 6* will surprise us. But while *Oblivion Remastered* won't feel as groundbreaking as the original did compared to *Skyrim*, its fully realized medieval fantasy world and its surprises and adventures remain unmatched in my eyes. It's my favorite Elder Scrolls game, and I'm thrilled to see it return, even if its release was anticipated long before it finally reappeared.