Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion Outshines Skyrim in Impact

Ask most gamers who were around for the Xbox 360 era, and despite the infamous Red Ring of Death, they'll likely share a wealth of fond memories. Among these, *The Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion* holds a special place for many, including myself. As a former writer at Official Xbox Magazine, I found that while *The Elder Scrolls III: Morrowind* on Xbox didn't quite capture my attention, *Oblivion*—originally planned as a day-one launch title for the Xbox 360—did so immediately. The magazine featured multiple cover stories on *Oblivion* before its release, with the screenshots alone captivating everyone. Eager to be involved, I volunteered for each trip to Bethesda's headquarters in Rockville, Maryland.

When the time came to review *Oblivion*, I jumped at the chance again. In an era where exclusive reviews were common, I returned to Rockville and spent four glorious days in a conference room in Bethesda's basement, immersed in Cyrodiil. For nearly 11 hours each day, I explored this stunning, wide-open, next-gen medieval fantasy world. By the time I boarded my return flight, I had logged 44 hours before writing OXM's 9.5 out of 10 review of *Oblivion*, a score I still stand by today. The game was packed with gripping quests like the Dark Brotherhood, hidden surprises such as the unicorn, and so much more. Playing a submission build on an Xbox 360 debug kit, I had to start over with my retail copy, into which I eagerly poured another 130 hours.

The Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion Remastered Screenshots

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I'm thrilled that *The Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion* has been remastered and re-released on modern platforms. For younger gamers who grew up with *Skyrim*, this remastered version is their first "new" mainline Elder Scrolls game since *Skyrim*'s initial release over 13 years ago. While we all eagerly await *The Elder Scrolls VI*, which is still likely 4-5 years away, this remaster brings a taste of the series' rich history to a new audience.

However, I'm honest enough to admit that *Oblivion* might not hit the same way for today's gamers as it did for me back in March 2006. It's a two-decade-old game, and while Bethesda deserves kudos for releasing it now rather than waiting for a more 'elegant' 20th anniversary, it's been surpassed by games like *Fallout 3*, *Skyrim*, *Fallout 4*, and *Starfield*. Visually, it doesn't have the same impact it had in 2006, when it was arguably the first true next-gen game of the HD era. The remaster, while improved, doesn't stand out as dramatically as it did then, especially when compared to full remakes like *Resident Evil* that start from scratch and aim to be visually competitive with current titles.

*The Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion* was the right game at the right time. It fully leveraged HD televisions and expanded the scope and scale of what gamers expected from an open-world game, delivering a visual and experiential punch to console gamers used to 640x480 interlaced displays. Before *Oblivion*'s release, *Fight Night Round 3* from EA in February 2006 had set a high bar for graphics, but *Oblivion* redefined the possibilities.

My memories of *Oblivion* are vast, filled with countless discoveries and adventures. For first-time players, I recommend either rushing through the main quest or saving it for last. Why? Because once you start the main questline, Oblivion gates will spawn randomly and can become a nuisance. It's best to address them quickly.

The technological leap from *Morrowind* to *Oblivion* was monumental, and while we might not see such a leap again until *The Elder Scrolls VI*, playing *Oblivion Remastered* won't feel as different from *Skyrim* as it did back in 2006. For those who grew up with *Skyrim*, the experience won't be the same, but *Oblivion*'s fully realized medieval fantasy world, with its surprises and adventures, remains my favorite in the series. I'm thrilled it's back, even if the surprise of its release was spoiled multiple times before its return.