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

Ask most gamers who were around during the Xbox 360 era, and despite the infamous Red Ring of Death, they'll likely share fond memories of that time. The Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion is a game that generated countless such memories for many Xbox 360 owners, including myself. Back then, I was working at Official Xbox Magazine, and although the port of The Elder Scrolls III: Morrowind never quite captured my attention, Oblivion grabbed me from the start. Originally planned as a day-one launch title for the second Xbox, the anticipation was palpable. We featured multiple cover stories on Oblivion, with the stunning screenshots captivating everyone, and I eagerly volunteered for each trip to Bethesda's headquarters in Rockville, Maryland.

When it came time to review Oblivion, in an era where exclusive reviews were the norm, I jumped at the opportunity. I returned to Rockville, spending four glorious days—11 hours each—in a conference room in Bethesda's basement, immersing myself in the breathtaking world of Cyrodiil. Before heading back home, I had logged 44 hours on a submission build on an Xbox 360 debug kit, leading to OXM's 9.5 out of 10 review, a rating I stand by to this day. Oblivion was an exceptional game, filled with engaging quests like the Dark Brotherhood, hidden gems like the unicorn, and so much more. After playing the final boxed disc version, I poured another 130 hours into the game without hesitation, so it's no surprise that I'm thrilled about its remastered and re-released version on modern platforms.

The Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion Remastered Screenshots

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For younger gamers who grew up with Skyrim, the just-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 franchise fans of all ages eagerly await The Elder Scrolls VI, which is likely still 4-5 years away, I'm envious of this new generation who will experience Oblivion for the first time. However, I must admit, the game might not resonate with them the way it did for me back in March 2006. As a two-decade-old game, it's been surpassed by subsequent titles like Fallout 3, Skyrim, Fallout 4, and Starfield, which have built upon Oblivion's foundation. Additionally, the visual impact of the original release, which was a true next-gen experience on the Xbox 360, won't be as striking today. While the remaster improves the visuals, it doesn't stand out as a groundbreaking leap like it did in 2006.

The Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion was the perfect game at the perfect time, fully harnessing the power of HD televisions and expanding the scope of open-world gaming. It was a revelation for console gamers accustomed to 640x480 interlaced visuals. My memories of Oblivion are numerous, as it offered a vast world full of discoveries and activities. For first-time players, I recommend either rushing through the main quest or saving it until you've explored all the side quests and open-world activities. The reason? Once you begin the main questline, Oblivion gates start spawning, so it's best to address them quickly.

The technological leap from Morrowind to Oblivion might be unprecedented, but with The Elder Scrolls VI on the horizon, perhaps we'll see another significant advancement. Yet, playing Oblivion Remastered won't feel as revolutionary compared to any version of Skyrim for younger gamers. Nevertheless, whether you're experiencing Oblivion for the first time or revisiting it after countless hours, its fully realized medieval fantasy world and the adventures it holds have always made it my favorite Elder Scrolls game. I'm thrilled it's back, despite the surprise release being spoiled multiple times before its reappearance.