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

Ask most gamers who were around for the Xbox 360 era, and despite the infamous Red Ring of Death, they'll likely share countless fond memories. Among those, The Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion stands out vividly for many Xbox 360 owners, including myself. Back then, I worked at Official Xbox Magazine, and while The Elder Scrolls III: Morrowind on Xbox didn't quite capture me, Oblivion did so from the get-go. Initially planned as a launch title for the next Xbox, Oblivion was the subject of multiple cover stories at OXM. The stunning screenshots alone were enough to captivate everyone, and I eagerly volunteered for every trip to Bethesda's quaint Rockville, Maryland office.

When it came time to review Oblivion, I jumped at the opportunity. In those days, exclusive reviews were common, and I found myself back in Rockville, spending four glorious 11-hour days in a Bethesda basement conference room, immersed in the breathtaking world of Cyrodiil. Before heading home, I had logged 44 hours on a submission build, a near-final version on an Xbox 360 debug kit. My review for OXM scored Oblivion a well-deserved 9.5 out of 10, a rating I stand by to this day. The game was filled with captivating quests, such as the Dark Brotherhood, hidden surprises like the unicorn, and so much more. Upon receiving the retail version, I had to start over, but that didn't deter me; I eagerly dove back in, spending another 130 hours exploring.

The Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion Remastered Screenshots

View 6 Images

The remastered release of The Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion excites me to no end. For younger gamers who grew up with Skyrim, this remaster is their first "new" mainline Elder Scrolls game since Skyrim debuted over 13 years ago. I'm envious of them; while they wait for The Elder Scrolls VI, which is still years away, they get to experience Oblivion anew.

Yet, I'm honest enough to admit that *Oblivion* might not hit them the same way it did for me back in March 2006. It's a two-decade-old game now, and while Bethesda chose to release it now rather than wait for its 20th anniversary, other games have since built upon *Oblivion*'s innovations, including Bethesda's own *Fallout 3*, *Skyrim*, *Fallout 4*, and *Starfield*. Visually, it doesn't pack the same punch as it did in 2006, when it arguably set the standard for next-gen games during the HD era. The remaster looks better than the original, but it doesn't stand out as something entirely new in the way it once did. Remasters aim to modernize older games for current platforms, in contrast to remakes like *Resident Evil*, which start from scratch and strive to look as good as the latest titles.

Which Race Are You Playing As in Oblivion? ------------------------------------------

AltmerArgonianBosmerBretonDunmerImperialKhajiitNordOrcRedguard

AnswerSee Results

The Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion was the right game at the right time. It leveraged the power of HD televisions to expand the scope and scale of open-world gaming, delivering a visual feast to console gamers accustomed to 640x480 resolutions. It was a revelation, and while Fight Night Round 3 released by EA around the same time was stunning in its own right, Oblivion set a new standard.

My memories of Oblivion are rich, filled with endless discoveries and adventures. For those embarking on Oblivion for the first time, I recommend either rushing through the main quest to close the Oblivion gates quickly, or saving it for last to explore every nook and cranny of the game's world. The technological leap from Morrowind to Oblivion was monumental, and while The Elder Scrolls 6 might bring a similar leap, the remastered Oblivion won't feel as starkly different from Skyrim as it did in its original release. Nonetheless, whether you're a first-timer or a veteran, Oblivion's fully realized medieval fantasy world and its endless surprises and adventures remain my favorite in the Elder Scrolls series. I'm thrilled it's back, even if its release was anticipated many times over before it finally reappeared.