"Oblivion Remastered: Dev Admits World-Scale Leveling Mistake"

Dive into the fascinating revelations from an original developer of The Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion as he reflects on the game's world-scale leveling system and its impact on the newly released remaster. Explore how this feature has shaped the game's legacy and the developer's thoughts on the sweeping changes made for modern audiences.

The Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion Remastered Changes Applauded by Former Dev

World-Scale Leveling Remains in Oblivion Remastered

In a candid interview with VideoGamer, Bruce Nesmith, a former designer of the iconic Oblivion, openly critiqued the inclusion of the world-scale leveling system, which he now views as a misstep. Despite its reappearance in the Oblivion Remastered, Nesmith shared his insights on this and other game mechanics he helped craft across titles like Fallout 3, Skyrim, and Starfield.

Nesmith praised the adjustments made to the leveling system in the remaster, noting that it now closely resembles the more accessible and enjoyable system found in Skyrim. He commended Bethesda's bold move, describing it as a "brave" decision to adapt the game for today's players.

However, he expressed regret over the retained world-scale leveling feature. This system causes enemies to scale in level alongside the player, which, according to Nesmith, can make progression feel meaningless. He elaborated, "I think the world leveling with you was a mistake, and that's proven out by the fact it did not happen the same way in Skyrim." This sentiment has been echoed by fans since the game's original 2006 launch, prompting the creation of mods to rectify this issue. With the remaster adopting this feature, the modding community has once again stepped up to offer solutions.

Oblivion Remastered is More Than Just a Remaster

The announcement of Oblivion being remastered took many by surprise, not least because of the extensive effort poured into recreating this beloved Elder Scrolls title. Nesmith, expecting a mere texture update akin to Skyrim: Special Edition, was astounded by the depth of the remastering process. In another interview with VideoGamer, he expressed awe at the team's dedication, stating, "[It's] a staggering amount of remastering. It almost needs its own word, quite frankly. I'm not sure remaster actually does it justice."

Bethesda went above and beyond, reconstructing Tamriel with the power of Unreal Engine 5. This monumental effort allowed the developers to overcome the limitations of the original game, resulting in a high-quality experience that has garnered widespread acclaim. Here at Game8, we've awarded Oblivion Remastered a stellar 90 out of 100, celebrating its meticulous attention to detail and its homage to the world of Cyrodiil. For our in-depth review and more insights, don't miss our detailed article below!