Bethesda has brought Oblivion back without trying to change or modernize it beyond recognition — and that’s definitely a plus.The remaster preserves everything that has made the game beloved for over a decade and a half: epic quests, deep atmosphere, iconic music, and a sense of freedom that remains rare in modern RPGs. Most importantly, the core essence of the game remains untouched. This is the same Oblivion, just dressed in new clothes.

The world of Cyrodiil looks far more vibrant than ever before. Landscapes, lighting effects, water, and skies — everything looks much more realistic without losing its charm. Cities now appear truly majestic, and the dense forests feel like they were taken straight out of a fairy tale.

Gameplay

Gameplay stays true to the original, but with meaningful updates.The interface has been refreshed, making it more convenient for modern players, and the combat system has been significantly improved — a necessary upgrade, considering how clunky it felt back in 2006. Back then, hits felt vague and lacked impact. In the remaster, blows have more weight, enemies react more believably, and the use of magic and blocking feels more dynamic. The combat isn’t “modernized” per se, but it’s far more engaging and lifelike than before.

Another key change is the rebalanced enemy leveling system.The original version of Oblivion suffered from aggressive enemy scaling, which often disrupted the sense of progression. In the remaster, this system has been reworked: enemies no longer level up as rapidly, and some areas have fixed difficulty levels. This makes the world feel more logical and realistic — powerful foes are now found in truly dangerous areas, not just around the next corner. At last, Cyrodiil feels alive and coherent.

What Went Well

Oblivion Remastered is an example of a delicate approach to remastering.The game looks significantly better while retaining its core identity. It still feels like you’re truly traveling through Cyrodiil — with its forests, ruins, dungeons, and cities where adventure might be waiting around any corner.

It’s especially gratifying that the music and voice acting remain almost unchanged. That same unforgettable melody once again makes your heart beat faster at the start of your journey.

It’s also worth noting the warm reception from players. Steam reviews are over 83% positive, which once again confirms that the remaster succeeded in its main goal: preserving the spirit of the original while refreshing its form.

Drawbacks

But it’s not without flaws.The biggest downside? Character faces. Yes, the textures are improved, but facial expressions during dialogue still feel lifeless — like talking to wax figures. In 2025, that’s a bit disappointing.

Another issue is the signature location loading system. Just like in the original, every door still comes with a brief but noticeable loading screen. It’s not a dealbreaker, but it’s also not what you’d expect from a modern release.

Compared to the Original

Compared to the 2006 version, the remaster looks far more attractive. The visual upgrade is massive: landscapes, water, lighting — everything meets modern standards. The atmosphere has been preserved nearly perfectly. The most noticeable improvement is the combat system, which now looks and feels much better. Back in 2006, combat often felt cardboard-like, with no sense of weight or dynamism. Now, each strike feels impactful, especially when using heavy weapons or magic.

The enemy progression system is also significantly improved. In the old version, enemies often scaled so aggressively that character progression felt diminished. Now, this system is much more balanced, making the overall experience feel smoother and more rewarding.

The old issue with location loading still exists, though it’s less intrusive now. And NPC faces remain the weakest aspect of the remaster. Still, the overall impression of the game is overwhelmingly positive.

Final Verdict

The Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion Remastered is a textbook example of how to treat a classic with respect.Instead of rewriting the game from scratch, Bethesda carefully polished it, preserving the original spirit. Yes, there are minor issues — unexpressive characters during dialogue and slightly annoying loading screens — but those are minor compared to the epic return to a world that remains one of the best in the genre.

With improved combat, updated graphics, rebalanced enemies, and a preserved atmosphere, playing Oblivion is more enjoyable than ever. And the positive player reception only confirms — this remaster is a real success.

9/10. A timeless classic.