Bruce Nesmith, the senior game designer behind The Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion, has expressed his admiration for the work done on Bethesda and Virtuos' Oblivion Remastered, suggesting that the term "remaster" might not fully capture the scope of the project. In a conversation with VideoGamer, Nesmith, who played a key role in crafting the original 2006 RPG, praised the extensive efforts that went into reimagining every aspect of Cyrodiil, highlighting the "blood, sweat, and tears" involved.
Nesmith initially anticipated a simple texture update, but was astounded by the comprehensive overhaul that includes revamped animations, a new animation system, integration of the Unreal Engine, changes to the leveling system, and a revamped user interface. "I mean, that's, you're touching every part of the game," he remarked, indicating the depth of the transformation.
Despite no official announcement from Bethesda prior to its launch, Oblivion Remastered has received widespread acclaim from fans for its extensive changes, ranging from visual enhancements to core gameplay modifications. New features such as a sprint mechanic and alterations to the leveling system have led many to consider it more of a remake than a remaster, a sentiment Nesmith echoes, labeling it as "Oblivion 2.0." He further stated, "That's a staggering amount of remastering... It almost needs its own word, quite frankly. I'm not sure remaster actually does it justice."
Bethesda, in a statement released on social media, clarified their intentions behind the remaster, emphasizing their desire to preserve the original experience while updating it for new players. "We know many of our longtime fans will be thrilled to revisit Oblivion and the land of Cyrodiil," the statement read, "But there are also so many who have never played it. We can't thank you enough for all the support you have given us and our games over the years. Our hope with this remaster is, that no matter who you are, when you step out of the Imperial sewer – you feel like you're experiencing it for the first time."
Oblivion Remastered was unexpectedly released yesterday and is now available on PC, PlayStation 5, and Xbox Series X and S. Xbox Game Pass Ultimate subscribers can access it at no additional cost. The modding community has also shown a positive response to this surprise launch, further reinvigorating the Elder Scrolls fanbase.
For those eager to dive into the revamped world of Cyrodiil, a comprehensive guide awaits, featuring an expansive Interactive Map, detailed Walkthroughs for the Main Questline and all Guild Quests, tips on How to Build the Perfect Character, and a list of Things to Do First, among other resources.
