The recent release of The Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion Remastered has prompted many gamers to delve back into this beloved RPG classic or to finally experience it for the first time in nearly two decades. For some, it’s a journey down memory lane, while others are discovering its world fresh for the first time.
I belong to the latter group. Although I’ve spent considerable time in Skyrim and Starfield across various platforms, my exploration of the earlier titles from Bethesda Game Studios has been nonexistent. Consequently, my understanding of Oblivion was largely shaped by historical reviews and various memes highlighting its quirky engine quirks.
As I navigated through the initial hours of Oblivion Remastered, my lack of nostalgia wasn’t a hindrance. I quickly grasped why it had captured the hearts of RPG enthusiasts back in 2006. However, it also became evident that the game’s mechanics feel somewhat dated given the significant advancements in game design over the years.
Initial Impressions Matter
From the outset, I grappled with the narrative elements presented to new players. The situation where the king and his guards conveniently escape through a secret passage that just happens to lead through my jail cell felt overly contrived. It’s clear this setup is designed to kickstart my journey, but it falters as an introduction to the world.
Similarly, the swift transition from being a “condemned prisoner” to becoming the “last hope of the dying king” was jarring. While the trope of the “Chosen One” is a staple in fantasy narratives, the speed at which I was thrust into this monumental role left me disoriented. Coupling this with a lackluster exit sequence filled with low-level foes was a letdown after being entrusted with such an epic quest.
That said, Patrick Stewart’s commanding voiceover helps mitigate some of the narrative shortcomings. The writing is direct and engaging, avoiding the drawn-out dialogues typical of games from that era.
Exploring the World of Oblivion
However, my guilt faded when I inadvertently stole a horse from a nearby stable. Following an in-game prompt, I hopped on the first horse I encountered, only to have nearby guards chase after me, branding me a thief. Despite my initial mistake, my newfound steed made escape easy.
Intent on avoiding continued fast travel, I took to galloping through a rain-soaked forest under the night sky, which felt incredibly immersive. I even adjusted the brightness settings to appreciate the details of the beautifully crafted scenery.
Yet, after dispatching some vampires in a cave, I returned only to find my stolen horse was nowhere to be seen—leaving me to wonder if this was a clever design choice reflecting the reality of lost steeds or simply a glitch in the game’s engine.
Uncovering Layers of Depth
My mixed feelings about Oblivion’s world-building are becoming clearer. The towns and cities are vibrant, filled with NPCs during the day that offer unique dialogues and interactions. Even minor characters seem to possess compelling backstories, and engaging in conversations reveals snippets of the social and political context of this world, leading to appealing side quests.
Conversely, exploring the vast unoccupied areas often feels like a wasted opportunity. I’ve quickly discerned that entering caves or abandoned mines tends to yield minimal rewards, with weak enemies guarding trivial loot. Similarly, discovering wayshrines and Ayleid Wells hasn’t proven rewarding thus far.
The early combat engagements have left much to be desired. Even as a novice warrior-mage, I found foes to be effortless to defeat using basic spells and melee attacks. The lack of strategic combat encounters creates a stark contrast to the thrilling combat experiences seen in modern RPGs like Elden Ring or Avowed.
This was especially evident while tackling my first Oblivion gate, where I anticipated challenging battles against desperate citizens but encountered little more than mages mindlessly charging at me. These encounters left a lot to be desired in terms of tactical depth and challenge.
As I embark on what is expected to be a lengthy journey easily exceeding 100 hours, the dated elements of Oblivion’s design are becoming increasingly apparent. While character design and voice acting may have been innovative two decades ago, they now seem standard, with numerous technical flaws and uninspiring combat detracting from the experience. Despite its recent updates, this Remaster has yet to fully captivate me.
