The Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion Remastered - Review: Still One of the Best, Despite the Bugs

Satisfaction: 4/5

The Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion is a classic, and this remaster has introduced it to a whole new audience. While it still feels very much like the original, the remaster brings some much-appreciated updates that help modernize the gameplay. This includes adjustments to combat, leveling, and general polish that bring it more in line with today’s standards.

Since this is essentially a new graphical layer over the original game, it also retains many of its quirks and bugs, which longtime fans might see as part of its charm. Unfortunately, this also means that nearly two decades later, some game-breaking bugs are still present. For example, during my playthrough, the Vampire Cure quest broke. After collecting all the ingredients, the NPC refused to accept the final ones, blocking my progress until I resorted to console commands to skip ahead.

Tech: 3/5

From a technical perspective, Oblivion Remastered sits somewhere between a full remake and a remaster. Virtuos replaced the original rendering with Unreal Engine 5, while keeping the Gamebryo engine under the hood for core systems and gameplay. This allows the game to retain the feel of the original, while looking and playing significantly better.

However, the transition to Unreal Engine 5 brings some performance issues that have become common with the engine. While overall performance is decent, noticeable stuttering during world traversal does take away from the experience.

Atmosphere: 5/5

Bethesda has always excelled at crafting immersive worlds, and this remaster highlights just how strong Oblivion’s atmosphere really is. If the studio had the tools back in 2006, this is likely what they would have envisioned.

The visuals are stunning, and the fantastic soundtrack perfectly complements every moment. Whether you’re fighting bandits, closing an Oblivion gate, or simply wandering through the beautiful landscapes of Cyrodiil.

Replayability: 5/5

As with most RPGs, replayability is key to long-term engagement, and Oblivion offers plenty. While the main story remains relatively fixed, the wide variety of playstyles keeps each run feeling unique. With different classes, weapons, and ability combinations, every new journey as the Champion of Cyrodiil can offer something fresh.

Story: 5/5

Oblivion tells the story of the Hero of Kvatch, who begins their journey as a prisoner and is soon tasked with ending the Oblivion Crisis. Following the assassination of Emperor Uriel Septim, you must locate his secret heir and help him fulfill his destiny to save Tamriel.

While it’s not particularly heavy on choice-based narrative, the main story is still epic and engaging. Nearly two decades later, it remains one of the most memorable tales in gaming.

Final Score: 4.2/5

Pros:

• Stunning graphics
• Gameplay improvements over the original
• Amazing atmosphere and soundtrack

Cons:

• Performance issues
• Just as buggy as the original

Where to buy?

Affiliate Link(s):

• HumbleBundle(Steam)
• GreenManGaming(Steam)
• Fanatical(Steam)

Elsewhere:

• Steam