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

Ask most gamers who were around for the Xbox 360 era, and, aside from the infamous Red Ring of Death, they're likely to share fond memories of their gaming experiences. For many Xbox 360 owners, including myself, The Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion was a game that created countless memorable moments. Working at Official Xbox Magazine at the time, I found myself less captivated by the successful port of The Elder Scrolls III: Morrowind to Xbox, but Oblivion grabbed me from the start. Originally planned as a launch title for the Xbox 360, Oblivion was the subject of multiple cover stories at OXM, with its stunning screenshots captivating everyone. I eagerly volunteered for each trip to Bethesda's headquarters in Rockville, Maryland, to cover the game's development.

When it came time to review Oblivion, I jumped at the opportunity. In an era where exclusive reviews were the norm, I returned to Rockville and spent four glorious days in a conference room in Bethesda's basement, immersing myself in the world of Cyrodiil. Over four consecutive 11-hour days, I lived in this breathtaking, expansive medieval fantasy world. Before heading back home, I had logged 44 hours on a submission build of the game on an Xbox 360 debug kit, which led to OXM's 9.5 out of 10 review—a score I stand by to this day. Oblivion was an incredible game, filled with engaging quests like the Dark Brotherhood, hidden surprises such as the unicorn, and much more. Since I played a pre-release version, I had to start over when I got the final retail copy, into which I poured another 130 hours without hesitation. Thus, it's no surprise that I'm thrilled about the remastered and re-released version on modern platforms.

The Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion Remastered Screenshots

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For the younger generation of gamers who grew up with Skyrim, the newly released The Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion Remastered will be their first "new" mainline Elder Scrolls game since Skyrim's initial release over 13 years ago. As fans of all ages eagerly await The Elder Scrolls VI, which is likely still 4-5 years away, I'm envious of those who will experience Oblivion for the first time. However, I doubt it will have the same impact on them as it did for me back in March 2006. Oblivion is now a two-decade-old game, and while Bethesda deserves credit for releasing it this week rather than waiting for its 20th anniversary, other games have since built upon its innovations, including Bethesda's own titles like Fallout 3, Skyrim, Fallout 4, and Starfield. Additionally, the remaster, while improved, doesn't have the same visual impact it did in 2006, when it was arguably the first true next-gen game of the HD era. Remasters aim to modernize older games for current platforms, in contrast to full remakes like Resident Evil, which are rebuilt from the ground up to match or exceed contemporary standards.

The Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion was the perfect game at the perfect time. It fully utilized HD televisions and expanded the scope and scale of what gamers could expect from an open-world game, delivering a visual and experiential punch to console gamers accustomed to 640x480 interlaced displays. (Notably, EA's Fight Night Round 3, released just before Oblivion in February 2006, was also visually stunning.)

My memories of Oblivion are plentiful, as it offered a world brimming with discovery and activities. For first-time players, I recommend either rushing through the main quest or saving it until you've explored every side quest and open-world activity. The reason? Once you start the main questline, Oblivion gates will begin to spawn randomly, which can become a nuisance. It's best to tackle them early on.

The technological leap from Morrowind to Oblivion might be unparalleled, though perhaps The Elder Scrolls 6 will bring a similar revolution if we wait long enough. However, playing Oblivion Remastered won't feel as starkly different from any version of Skyrim as it did back in 2006. Younger gamers who grew up with Skyrim might not experience the same awe I did, but whether you're playing Oblivion for the first time or revisiting it after hundreds of hours, its fully realized medieval fantasy world and the adventures it holds remain my favorite in the Elder Scrolls series. I'm thrilled it's back, even if its surprise release was anticipated multiple times before its eventual return.