"Oblivion's Impact Surpasses Skyrim's, Even Today"

Ask most gamers who owned an Xbox 360, and aside from the infamous Red Ring of Death, you'll likely hear many share fond memories. The Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion certainly contributed to those memories for countless Xbox 360 owners, including myself. Back then, I was working at Official Xbox Magazine, and while the successful port of The Elder Scrolls III: Morrowind to Xbox didn't capture my interest, Oblivion did so immediately. Originally planned as a launch title for the Xbox 360, Oblivion garnered multiple cover stories in our magazine, with the screenshots alone leaving us in awe. I eagerly took every opportunity to visit Bethesda in Rockville, Maryland, for these stories.

When it came time to review Oblivion, during an era when exclusive reviews were standard, I jumped at the chance once again. I returned to Rockville, spending four glorious, consecutive 11-hour days immersed in the game's world, Cyrodiil. Before heading back home, I had logged 44 hours on a submission build at Bethesda, using an Xbox 360 debug kit. This led to my 9.5 out of 10 review in OXM, a score I stand by to this day. Oblivion was a masterpiece with its compelling quests, like those from the Dark Brotherhood, unexpected discoveries such as the unicorn, and much more. However, I had to start over when I received my final retail copy, having already invested nearly two full days into the game.

The Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion Remastered Screenshots

View 6 ImagesI eagerly dived back into The Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion, clocking an additional 130 hours without hesitation. So, it's no surprise that I'm thrilled about its remaster and re-release on modern platforms.

For the younger generation who grew up with Skyrim, the newly released The Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion Remastered will be their first "new" mainline Elder Scrolls game since Skyrim debuted over 13 years ago. I'm envious of these gamers, as this remaster marks their introduction to a new chapter in the series while we all continue to wait for The Elder Scrolls VI, likely still 4-5 years away.

Although I must admit, *Oblivion* might not resonate with today's gamers in the same way it did for me back in March 2006. Now a two-decade-old game, it faces competition from subsequent titles that have built upon its innovations, including *Fallout 3*, *Skyrim*, *Fallout 4*, and *Starfield* by Bethesda itself. Additionally, the visual impact of *Oblivion* has been surpassed by newer games, though the remaster does enhance its visuals. However, it doesn't stand out as the groundbreaking next-gen experience it was at the dawn of the HD era with the Xbox 360. Remasters aim to bring older games up to modern standards, unlike full remakes such as *Resident Evil*, which are expected to match or exceed current visual norms.

Which Race Are You Playing As in Oblivion? ------------------------------------------

AltmerArgonianBosmerBretonDunmerImperialKhajiitNordOrcRedguard

AnswerSee Results*The Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion* was a game that perfectly aligned with its time. It fully utilized the power of HD televisions and expanded the scope and scale of open-world gaming, delivering a visual and experiential punch to console gamers used to 640x480 resolutions. (Although, before *Oblivion*'s release in March 2006, *Fight Night Round 3* by EA in February also made a significant visual impact.) My memories of *Oblivion* are plentiful, filled with discovery and adventure. For those experiencing *Oblivion* for the first time, here's my advice: either rush through the main quest or save it for last. The reason? Once you start the main quest, Oblivion gates will begin to spawn randomly, potentially disrupting your exploration. It's best to address them early on.

The leap in technology from Morrowind to Oblivion may never be replicated, though perhaps The Elder Scrolls 6 will surprise us. However, playing Oblivion Remastered won't feel as groundbreaking as it did back in 2006, especially for those who grew up with Skyrim. Yet, whether you're a first-timer or a seasoned veteran, Oblivion's richly detailed medieval fantasy world, filled with surprises and adventures, remains my favorite in the Elder Scrolls series. I'm thrilled it's back, despite the many spoiled surprises leading up to its re-release.