"Oblivion's Impact Surpasses Skyrim, 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 a plethora of fond memories. The Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion stands out as a cornerstone of nostalgia for many, including myself. While working at Official Xbox Magazine, I found that the successful port of The Elder Scrolls III: Morrowind to Xbox didn't capture my interest as Oblivion did from the very beginning. Originally slated as a launch title for the Xbox 360, Oblivion's allure was undeniable. We featured it on multiple magazine covers, and the breathtaking screenshots alone were enough to captivate us. Eagerly, I volunteered for every opportunity to visit Bethesda's headquarters in Rockville, Maryland.

When the time came to review Oblivion, I seized the chance with enthusiasm. Back then, exclusive reviews were commonplace, and I found myself once again in Rockville, spending four glorious days in a Bethesda conference room. I immersed myself in the vast, stunning world of Cyrodiil for nearly 11 hours each day, living and breathing the game. By the time I left for my flight home, I had logged 44 hours on a submission build before writing OXM's 9.5 out of 10 review—a score I still stand by. Oblivion was a masterpiece, filled with compelling quests like those from the Dark Brotherhood and unexpected delights such as the unicorn encounter. However, playing on a debug kit meant starting over when I got my retail copy, into which I gladly poured another 130 hours.

The Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion Remastered Screenshots

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The recent remaster of The Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion has me thrilled. For the younger generation who grew up with Skyrim, this remastered version marks their first "new" mainline Elder Scrolls experience since Skyrim's initial release over 13 years ago. While fans of all ages eagerly await The Elder Scrolls VI, which is still years away, this remaster offers a fresh chance to explore Cyrodiil.

Yet, I must admit, the impact of Oblivion might not resonate with new players as it did for me in March 2006. As a two-decade-old game, its novelty has been surpassed by subsequent titles, including Bethesda's own Fallout 3, Skyrim, Fallout 4, and Starfield. Visually, while the remaster is an improvement, it doesn't stand out as the groundbreaking experience it was in 2006, the first true next-gen game of the HD era. Remasters aim to modernize older games for current platforms, but they don't match the transformative effect of a full remake like Resident Evil.

Oblivion was the perfect game at the perfect time, leveraging HD technology to expand the scope and scale of open-world gaming. It was a revelation for console gamers accustomed to the limitations of 640x480 interlaced TVs. (Not to mention, EA's Fight Night Round 3, released a month earlier, was stunning in its own right.)

My memories of Oblivion are rich, filled with exploration and adventure. For those new to the game, I recommend either rushing through the main quest to deal with the Oblivion gates or saving it for last, allowing you to fully explore the world before the gates start to spawn. The technological leap from Morrowind to Oblivion may never be replicated, but even if the remaster doesn't offer the same stark contrast to Skyrim for younger gamers, the immersive medieval fantasy world of Oblivion remains my favorite Elder Scrolls experience. Its return, despite multiple spoilers, is a welcome one.