Bethesda games have never been known for having particularly fancy graphics, but The Elder Scrolls 4: Oblivion Remastered is quite the looker. Though it's often overshadowed by its best-selling younger sibling Skyrim, whose Scandinavian-inspired landscapes have become synonymous with the identity of modern Elder Scrolls, Oblivion's setting is inspired and striking, and it has never looked better than in this face-lifted remake.
Unlike Skyrim, which is centered on the harshness and Spartan lifestyles of the Nordic race, The Elder Scrolls 4: Oblivion Remastered hones in on the pastoral beauty of the countryside. Exploration is a decidedly peaceful experience, but is nevertheless evocative, and this is as true in the original Oblivion as it is in the remake. But it's undeniable that 2006's Oblivion is rather dated from a visual perspective, even if its bloom-drenched, overly saturated environments do carry a certain charm. Though there were concerns that the remaster would spoil this old-school charm, that's not the case at all: Oblivion Remastered presents the definitive version of Cyrodiil, and it's a veritable piece of eye candy that will make even the most jaded gamers experience a sense of wonder as they traipse through its fields, forests, and rolling hills.
Oblivion Remastered Is Proof That The Elder Scrolls Has Never Really Been About Gameplay
Oblivion Remastered proves great RPGs aren’t defined by mechanics alone, but by worlds that linger and worlds worth returning to, even decades later.
Oblivion Remastered Presents Cyrodil the Way It Deserves
Cyrodiil Looks Better Than Ever in Oblivion Remastered
Separated from Skyrim by the Jerall Mountains, Cyrodiil's visual identity is decidedly different from that of its northern cousin. Whereas Skyrim is cold and hardy, Cyrodiil is lush, vibrant, and seemingly teeming with life. Its mild climate allows for a greater degree of delicate plant and animal life, quite unlike the frosty tundras of Tamriel's northern regions, not to mention the hot, arid expanses of Morrowind. The original Oblivion depicted these unique natural landscapes with the help of heavy bloom and unnaturally bright, cool colors, which was an effective strategy at the time, but Oblivion Remastered offers a softer touch.
When Oblivion Remastered's screenshots first leaked, some fans expressed concerns about the game's relatively muted color palette. These concerns weren't totally unfounded, as there have been plenty of examples of remasters and remakes that sacrifice style in favor of graphical fidelity and realism. But this isn't the case with Oblivion Remastered, which is merely more subtle than the original, not less impactful or stylish. In fact, the lack of bloom and extreme saturation make Cyrodiil's natural vistas and cities more striking, as strong colors are much more prominent due to the comparably duller colors elsewhere. This goes hand in hand with the greater level of detail in Oblivion Remastered, which breathes new life into its environments rather than suffocating them in realism.
This is to say nothing of the more dramatically stylized parts of the game, like the Planes of Oblivion. These ethereal, horrifying locations are more evocative than ever in Oblivion Remastered, which uses modern lighting and visual effects to create a darker, more dynamic, disturbing atmosphere. The graphical enhancements go a long way toward elevating the Giger-inspired architecture of these hellish locales, as its structures are able to look far more grotesque and flesh-like.
Lighting and VFX do a lot of heavy lifting in Oblivion Remastered, generally speaking. Sunlight and moonlight illuminate the environment in myriad ways, replacing the ubiquitous bloom effects of the original with more varied reflections, filtered light, and individual rays, thereby creating a more vivid, dense, rich atmosphere for players to soak in. Beyond simply looking pretty, this allows Oblivion Remastered to present a vision of Cyrodiil that is more emotionally affecting, tickling sensations of fear, awe, wonder, and whimsy in ways that the original's more archaic visual style never could.
-
OpenCritic Reviews
- Top Critic Avg: 82 /100 Critics Rec: 87%
- Released
- April 22, 2025
- ESRB
- Mature 17+ // Blood and Gore, Sexual Themes, Violence
- Publisher(s)
- Bethesda
WHERE TO PLAY
The Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion™ Remastered modernizes the 2006 Game of the Year with all new stunning visuals and refined gameplay. Explore the vast landscape of Cyrodiil like never before and stop the forces of Oblivion from overtaking the land in one of the greatest RPGs ever from the award-winning Bethesda Game Studios.
Rediscover Cyrodiil
Journey through the rich world of Tamriel and battle across the planes of Oblivion where handcrafted details have been meticulously recreated to ensure each moment of exploration is awe-inspiring.
Navigate Your Own Story
From the noble warrior to the sinister assassin, wizened sorcerer, or scrappy blacksmith, forge your path and play the way you want.
Experience an Epic Adventure
Step inside a universe bursting with captivating stories and encounter an unforgettable cast of characters. Master swordcraft and wield powerful magic as you fight to save Tamriel from the Daedric invasion.
The Complete Story
Experience everything Oblivion has to offer with previously released story expansions Shivering Isles, Knights of the Nine, and additional downloadable content included in The Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion Remastered.
- Engine
- Unreal Engine 5
- Franchise
- The Elder Scrolls
- Number of Players
- Single-player
- Steam Deck Compatibility
- Verified
- PC Release Date
- April 22, 2025
- Xbox Series X|S Release Date
- April 22, 2025
- PS5 Release Date
- April 22, 2025
- Genre(s)
- Action, RPG, Open-World, Adventure
- Platform(s)
- Xbox Series X, Xbox Series S, PlayStation 5, PC
- X|S Optimized
- Yes
- File Size Xbox Series
- 123.2 GB
