Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion Remaster Dubbed 'Oblivion 2.0' by Designer

Bruce Nesmith, the senior game designer behind the iconic 2006 RPG The Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion, has expressed his admiration for the newly released Oblivion Remastered by Bethesda and Virtuos. In a recent interview with VideoGamer, Nesmith highlighted the extensive efforts that went into the original game, describing the remaster as far beyond a simple update. "I was assuming this was going to be a texture update," he admitted. "I didn’t really think it was going to be the complete overhaul that they’ve announced it to be... I would not have batted an eye at that. But to completely redo the animations, the animation system, put in the Unreal Engine, change the leveling system, change the user interface. I mean, that’s, you’re touching every part of the game."

Despite Bethesda's lack of official announcements prior to its launch, the remaster has garnered widespread acclaim from fans for its extensive changes, ranging from visual enhancements to significant gameplay modifications. Features like a new sprint mechanic and alterations to the leveling system have led many to view Oblivion Remastered as more of a remake than a mere remaster. Nesmith himself echoed this sentiment, suggesting that the term "remaster" might not fully encapsulate the scope of the project. "The closest that could come [to categorising it] is Oblivion 2.0," he remarked. "That’s a staggering amount of remastering. It almost needs its own word, quite frankly. I’m not sure remaster actually does it justice."

In a statement released on social media, Bethesda clarified their approach to the remaster, emphasizing their intent to preserve the core experience of Oblivion while updating it for a modern audience. "We never wanted to remake Oblivion," the studio stated. "Instead, our focus was maintaining the experience players know and love while modernizing it for newcomers, warts and all. We know many of our longtime fans will be thrilled to revisit Oblivion and the land of Cyrodiil. 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 unveiled and released simultaneously as a surprise drop, available now on PC, PlayStation 5, and Xbox Series X and S. Xbox Game Pass Ultimate subscribers can access it at no additional cost. The remaster has sparked renewed interest within the Elder Scrolls community, particularly among the modding scene, which has responded enthusiastically to the unexpected launch.

For those eager to dive into the revamped world of Cyrodiil, a comprehensive guide is available, covering everything from an expansive Interactive Map to complete Walkthroughs for the Main Questline and every Guild Quest, tips on How to Build the Perfect Character, and a list of Things to Do First, ensuring players can fully immerse themselves in the remastered experience.