Bruce Nesmith, the senior game designer behind the original The Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion, has expressed his awe at Bethesda and Virtuos' work on the Oblivion Remastered, suggesting that the term "remaster" might not fully capture the extent of the changes made. In a recent discussion with VideoGamer, Nesmith praised the dedication that went into recreating every detail of Cyrodiil, noting that the transformation of the game was unexpected and extensive.
"I was assuming this was going to be a texture update," Nesmith remarked. "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."
Bethesda surprised fans by launching Oblivion Remastered without prior announcement. The community has been largely impressed with the overhaul, which ranges from minor visual enhancements to significant gameplay changes. Features like a new sprint mechanic and modifications to the leveling system have led many, including Nesmith, to consider this more of a remake than a simple remaster.
"The closest that could come [to categorising it] is Oblivion 2.0," Nesmith 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."
In his discussion, Nesmith also suggested that "Oblivion 2.0" might be the most fitting term to describe what he's seen of the remastered version. As the fanbase celebrates the detailed rework, Bethesda has shared their reasoning behind naming it a remaster rather than a remake. In a social media statement, the studio clarified that their goal was not to create a new game but to modernize the classic experience for both returning and new players, preserving its essence, imperfections included.
"We know many of our longtime fans will be thrilled to revisit Oblivion and the land of Cyrodiil," the statement from Bethesda 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."
AnswerSee ResultsThe Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion Remastered was unveiled and released simultaneously in a surprise move by Bethesda. It's now available on PC, PlayStation 5, and Xbox Series X and S, with Xbox Game Pass Ultimate subscribers able to enjoy it at no additional cost. To explore how the remaster has revitalized the Elder Scrolls community, you can look into the reactions from the modding community following the unexpected release.
For a deeper dive into what Oblivion Remastered offers, we have a detailed guide 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, Things to Do First, and much more.
