Bruce Nesmith, the senior game designer behind the original The Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion, has expressed his awe at the work done on Bethesda and Virtuos' Oblivion Remastered. In a recent discussion with VideoGamer, Nesmith remarked that the term "remaster" might not fully encapsulate the extent of the overhaul. He highlighted the immense effort, describing it as "blood, sweat, and tears," that went into crafting the original Cyrodiil, making the comprehensive reimagining of Oblivion even more astonishing.
"I was expecting just a texture update," Nesmith admitted. "But what they've announced is a complete overhaul. Redoing the animations, the animation system, integrating the Unreal Engine, revamping the leveling system, and updating the user interface—it touches every aspect of the game."
Although Bethesda kept Oblivion Remastered under wraps until its surprise launch yesterday, the fanbase has been overwhelmingly positive about the extensive changes. From minor visual enhancements to significant gameplay modifications, including a new sprint mechanic and adjustments to the leveling system, many feel that Oblivion Remastered is more akin to a remake. Nesmith himself leans towards this view, suggesting that the project could be considered "Oblivion 2.0."
"That's a staggering amount of remastering," Nesmith added. "It almost needs its own term. I'm not sure 'remaster' does it justice."
In his conversation, Nesmith attempted to categorize the extent of the update: "The closest that could come [to categorising it] is Oblivion 2.0."
As the community celebrates the dedication poured into Oblivion Remastered, Bethesda provided insight into their naming choice for this RPG re-release. In a social media statement, the studio clarified that they "never wanted to remake" Oblivion. Their goal was to preserve the cherished experience while modernizing it for new players, "warts and all."
"We know many of our longtime fans will be thrilled to revisit Oblivion and the land of Cyrodiil," Bethesda's statement continued. "But there are also many who have never played it. We can't thank you enough for all the support you have given us and our games over the years. Our hope with this remaster is that, no matter who you are, when you step out of the Imperial sewer – you feel like you're experiencing it for the first time."
The Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion Remastered was unveiled and released as a shadow drop by Bethesda. It's now available on PC, PlayStation 5, and Xbox Series X and S, and included at no additional cost for Xbox Game Pass Ultimate subscribers. The modding community has responded enthusiastically to this unexpected release, further reinvigorating the Elder Scrolls community.
For those eager to dive into the remastered world of Cyrodiil, our comprehensive guide covers everything you need to know about Oblivion Remastered. This includes an expansive Interactive Map, complete Walkthroughs for the Main Questline and every Guild Quest, tips on How to Build the Perfect Character, Things to Do First, and much more.
