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

Ask most gamers who were around for the Xbox 360 era, and aside from the infamous Red Ring of Death, they'll likely share fond memories of that time. The Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion was a major highlight for many Xbox 360 owners, including myself. Back then, I was working at Official Xbox Magazine, and although the successful port of The Elder Scrolls III: Morrowind to Xbox didn't capture my interest, Oblivion did from the very start. Originally slated to be a launch title for the second Xbox, Oblivion captivated us with its stunning screenshots, prompting multiple cover stories in the lead-up to its release. I eagerly participated in every trip to Bethesda's headquarters in Rockville, Maryland.

When it came time to review Oblivion, in an era where exclusive reviews were the norm, I was more than happy to take on the task. I returned to Rockville and spent four consecutive days—11 hours each day—immersed in a conference room at Bethesda's basement, exploring the vast and breathtaking world of Cyrodiil. Before heading back home, I had logged 44 hours in the game, which led to a heartfelt 9.5 out of 10 review for OXM. I stand by that score to this day; Oblivion was a masterpiece, filled with engaging quests like the Dark Brotherhood, hidden gems like the unicorn, and countless other adventures. Playing a submission build on an Xbox 360 debug kit meant starting over when I got the final retail version, but that didn't stop me from diving back in and investing another 130 hours into the game.

The Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion Remastered Screenshots

View 6 ImagesIt's no surprise that I'm thrilled about the remastered and re-released version of The Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion on modern platforms. For the younger generation of gamers who grew up with Skyrim, this remaster marks their first "new" mainline Elder Scrolls game since Skyrim debuted over 13 years ago. I'm envious of these gamers; while they get to experience Oblivion for the first time, fans of all ages eagerly await The Elder Scrolls VI, likely still 4-5 years away.

Though I must admit, *Oblivion* might not have the same impact on today's younger gamers as it did for me back in March 2006. It's a two-decade-old game, and while Bethesda deserves credit for releasing the remaster now rather than waiting another year for the 20th anniversary, other games have since built on what *Oblivion* pioneered, including Bethesda's own *Fallout 3*, *Skyrim*, *Fallout 4*, and *Starfield*. Additionally, the visual impact of *Oblivion* in 2006 was unprecedented, heralding the HD era on Xbox 360. The remaster looks better than the original, but it doesn't stand out as dramatically as it once did. Remasters aim to make older games look modern on current platforms, whereas a full remake, like *Resident Evil*, starts from scratch and aims to be visually on par with or superior to current releases.

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

AltmerArgonianBosmerBretonDunmerImperialKhajiitNordOrcRedguard

AnswerSee Results*The Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion* was the perfect game at the perfect time. It fully leveraged the power of HD televisions, expanding what gamers could expect from open-world games. It was a revelation for console gamers who had only experienced games in interlaced 640x480 resolution until then. (Though, speaking of revelations, *Fight Night Round 3* released by EA in February 2006 was also a visual marvel.) My memories of *Oblivion* are rich and plentiful, as it was a world teeming with discovery and activity. For first-time players, I recommend either rushing through the main quest or saving it for last. Why? Because once you start the main questline, Oblivion gates will begin spawning and disrupting your exploration, so it's best to deal with them early.

The leap from Morrowind to Oblivion was monumental, and while such a leap might not happen again, the wait for The Elder Scrolls VI might bring something similar. However, playing Oblivion Remastered won't feel as starkly different from Skyrim for the younger generation. Yet, whether you're experiencing Oblivion for the first time or have spent hundreds of hours in its world, its fully realized medieval fantasy and the adventures it holds have always made it my favorite Elder Scrolls game. I'm delighted it's back, even if its surprise release was anticipated many times over before its return.