The Elder Scrolls 4: Oblivion Remastered review

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2006 found me engrossed in a fresh PlayStation 2 title, Final Fantasy 12, while the Xbox 360’s hard drive, though technically available, was more of an afterthought for many gamers. The horse armor DLC stirred up quite a storm at Oblivion’s release, but I chose to sit this one out. Back then, I was already deeply invested in Morrowind and felt no need for its successor, with my head held high in self-proclaimed superiority.

I might have been wrong about that.

Despite the lengthy tutorial at the start, featuring an emperor who seemed destined for failure and a commonplace RPG setting like a sewer filled with rats, I wasn’t entirely convinced. The only surprise I experienced during that part was how a game of such grand ambition could expect me to be excited by such an ordinary environment.

And then I escaped that boring place, and all of my grumbles were instantly forgotten.

This radiant haven appears nothing like a video game that became popular during the height of My Chemical Romance’s top 10 hits. It’s not even remotely similar. Dragonflies dance over the water, and butterflies leisurely flutter in the air as flowers gracefully move with the wind. I’m genuinely astounded by it all, often interrupting my gameplay to quickly search for ‘Oblivion photo mode’. Unfortunately, at the time of writing, there isn’t one available. It feels like a slight against the game that such a feature is absent.

Instead of teleporting straight to the next marked story location, I opt to walk there instead, enjoying the scenery along the way. However, the route ahead doesn’t quite match up to the breathtaking views I’m leaving behind. Yet, before moving on, I pause and glance back, and it seems like a faint glow is emanating from that small island across the water.

I’m afraid I can’t do it right now, as I have an important task that needs my full attention. However, since you’re here, maybe just a quick glance won’t cause any trouble, will it?

Dungeon diving

The sheer variety of experiences keeps surprising me

After a quick swim, I find myself knee-deep in the Vilverin ruins, battling bandits and nosily exploring places I shouldn’t. Just before I triggered it, I noticed a tripwire spanning the entrance – almost like they were inviting me in! If these bandits want to keep me out so much, then there must be something valuable hidden down here that’s worth taking a closer look at.

I find myself becoming captivated by this enigmatic location so swiftly that I don’t even recognize I’ve accidentally ventured into another area without a clue on how to return. I simply shrug and continue my exploration. It’s slightly disheartening when I spot the title ‘Bandit Leader’ above someone’s health meter, thinking my quest is complete once they finally expire.

Initially, my guess was quite far from the mark. As I approached, I noticed yet another enigmatic door. Beyond it seemed to be a modest space with very little of note… Was that perhaps a pressure-sensitive floor panel?

Instead of hurrying off along the same path, my unexpected journey takes an unanticipated turn into a realm of bones, mysterious underwater explorations, and perilous swinging trap doors. The length of time I’ve spent here has ceased to matter, as the initial need to proceed with the main storyline has vanished, replaced by sheer enjoyment of this intriguing experience. In the end, I conquer the labyrinth, snatch some gleaming treasure, and make a swift escape through a convenient shortcut.

The sunset I departed from has morphed into an astonishing blanket of stars. It leaves me speechless. I haven’t merely conquered a labyrinth or finished a secondary mission; rather, I feel as though I have truly ventured.

Story time

I’ve done so much, even though the game’s hardly begun.

Navigating Oblivion’s endless list of quests is straightforward due to an intuitive user interface that allows for easy activation and tracking of individual threads, neatly separates side activities from main events, and always keeps a comprehensive map within a quick click or two, featuring big red markers pointing the way to the next destination.

The diverse adventures these markers take me on consistently leave me in awe. I’ve crept past slumbering cultists, swiped prized loot from perilous maze-like vaults filled with traps, which had my mind racing, “If only there was a fantasy Tomb Raider!” throughout the journey. In an unforgettable episode, I struggled to maintain a precarious equilibrium between a momentary drug dependency and the necessity to traverse an area teeming with monsters (my efforts were less than triumphant as I grappled with the potent boosts my stats received during withdrawal).

As a gamer, I find even the unarmed sections of Oblivion tantalizingly mysterious. Each new hamlet and quirky inn tucked away in remote locations always harbors someone worth chatting up or a secret room, a shifty well, or a concealed passageway that I know I shouldn’t explore but can’t resist peeking into anyway.

The ground teems with various items, ranging from innocuous bookshelves to disquieting hidden trapdoors that could be murder sites, my inquisitiveness inciting me to explore anything from casual searches of someone’s private possessions to frantic escapes, creating fresh experiences at every step.

It’s unfortunate that everyone I interact with seems so oddly designed. Although the characters, ranging from humans to the feline khajiit, have been significantly updated along with their revamped surroundings, there are numerous aspects that just don’t feel right. The animations and expressions appear over-simplified and excessively exaggerated, which clashes starkly with the high-definition textures and intricate details they attempt to fit into.

Frequently, they ruin the atmosphere; there’s an unexpected gap emerging between the captivating tales presented to me, the effort invested by the voice actors in their dialogue delivery, and the amusing visual gags unfolding onscreen.

In Oblivion Remastered, just like the original game, there are still some problems: Subtitles appear intermittently, not always when you’d expect them to. It’s strange because even when I’m standing right next to someone, I miss entire conversations that don’t show up on the screen. This isn’t just a problem for understanding key plot points; it also means I miss out on the background chatter of NPCs and the crucial battle cries of my allies, which can sometimes be vital in combat.

Dishing out DPS

I find certain ways of defeating opponents more enjoyable than others. Shooting enemies with a bow from a distance remains thrilling, as does raining arrows on monsters as they approach. Casting spells is chaotic and exhilarating, almost like a sport. However, using a controller to do this can be frustrating because I have to use a customizable radial menu to switch between spells, and my character freezes in place while the menu is open, leaving me vulnerable to enemy attacks. This inconvenience spoils an otherwise smooth control experience.

Surely almost 20 years is enough time to iron out basic issues with common quests

Regardless of the remastered version, the melee combat falls short in my experience. There seems to be little impact and response to my attacks, making it appear as if no real contact is being made. Rather than wielding a sword or shielding against an attack, I’m merely pressing buttons while watching predetermined animations unfold and health bars decrease.

The game’s AI appears to be quite outdated, making the lack of responsiveness even more pronounced. It’s unusual that I can easily eliminate an entire cult’s members just by circling around their altar, with each one following me in a methodical manner. It would improve the experience if monsters also acknowledged when their fellow creatures fell nearby.

In simpler terms, various issues frequently arise, particularly during quests. Important characters may get stuck repeating phrases, and the programmed sequences don’t always advance smoothly to the next stage. These problems aren’t just found in minor, seldom-experienced quests, but in early main story scenarios. These glitches significantly impact the overall gameplay experience, causing me to doubt whether my success was due to skill, luck, or another bug influencing the outcome. I wonder if I overlooked something crucial, or if the game is malfunctioning again.

Absolutely, a certain amount of glitches might occur, wouldn’t it feel incomplete if a Bethesda RPG didn’t have its fair share of bugs? However, given that this is a remastered version and we’re almost two decades past the original release, one would expect that fundamental problems with common quests would have been addressed by now.

In a world post Baldur’s Gate 3, my in-game actions seem to lack the spark they once had. One careless arrow at a crucial moment earned me the ominous title of ‘cold-blooded killer’ from the Dark Brotherhood’s messenger, leaving me with an unexpected quest and dagger I didn’t ask for. This storyline does offer some entertaining moments – like shielding someone from the resentful undead remains of their kin – but it also highlights the scarcity of role-playing opportunities in this RPG’s narrative.

I find myself with no real agency, forced to comply with orders or ignore them entirely, both paths leading to the same destination. I’m merely a pawn, as virtuous or vengeful as the current quest giver demands, and it leaves me longing for more autonomy. Oblivion felt restrictive in comparison.

Reactively, I can express my feelings of frustration by typing something like: “I wish there were more opportunities to shape my character’s story instead of being a mere instrument of the quest givers.” Or show excitement when an engaging moment arises: “This is one of those rare moments where I feel like my actions matter and I’m not just following orders!

When this game functions properly, which it often does, I become completely immersed in this imaginative universe. I could sit in any tavern and eavesdrop on NPCs chatting or stumble upon a topic for my own conversations. I’m eager to conquer every mountain summit and plunge into every deep lake I encounter, as there’s always something valuable awaiting me if I explore. It might not be something useful or saleable, but at least I’ll witness the sunrise over the landscapes below, or perhaps stumble upon a hidden cave entrance I wasn’t aware of. Spending a night walking from one town to another is worth it just for the opportunity to get lost in the wilderness—and maybe discover an undiscovered location along the way.

Instead of strictly adhering to a demanding to-do list, most items left untouched and incomplete, I find myself feeling liberated. In essence, I’ve taken the reins of my life’s journey, charting my course as I see fit, determining the future events.

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2025-04-30 01:18