Davicin49 The Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion Remastered Review

The Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion Remastered is, above all, a faithful remaster that preserves the spirit of the original while delivering a substantial technical overhaul. Thanks to the leap to Unreal Engine 5, Cyrodiil has never looked better, with environments, lighting, and models that completely revitalize the open world without sacrificing its classic essence. In terms of gameplay, the changes are minimal. Combat has received some minor tweaks but largely remains close to the original system. While this preserves Oblivion's identity, it also leaves a sense of rigidity and outdated design — especially when compared to its successor, Skyrim, whose combat and exploration mechanics feel far more polished and modern. This gap becomes even more noticeable with the magic system, which remains considerably more limited and antiquated in Oblivion, reducing the dynamism and tactical variety of magical encounters compared to the expanded possibilities offered by Skyrim. Narratively, the main questline feels somewhat inferior to Skyrim’s, both in terms of quality and scope. However, Oblivion still shines in its faction storylines and side quests, offering deeper, more branching, and memorable narratives that remain one of the game's strongest draws even after all these years. Oblivion Remastered is, ultimately, a love letter to long-time fans of the series, visually updating a classic without drastically altering its gameplay DNA. It’s a perfect opportunity to revisit one of the pillars of open-world RPGs, now with a spectacular visual facelift.