Performance Woes Plague Oblivion Remaster
While The Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion Remastered has seen tremendous success with over 4 million players and glowing Steam reviews, persistent technical issues are dampening the experience across all platforms. Digital Foundry's deep dive reveals troubling performance patterns affecting every console version.
"No platform escapes unscathed: whether PlayStation 5, its Pro variant, or either Xbox Series model, all suffer from noticeable hitches during open-world traversal. We're seeing sustained sub-60fps performance that actually worsens with extended playtime – strong evidence of memory leaks. Most concerning are the frequent crashes back to system menus when loading saves," explains technical analyst Thomas Morgan.
The problems compound in surprising ways. Extended play sessions lead to progressively worse performance, while repeated save loading introduces glitches like misplaced horseback camera angles – issues only resolved by restarting the game entirely.
A Pressing Need for Patches
With Virtuos' Unreal Engine 5 remake facing criticism for potential development rush, players urgently await stability fixes. The situation appears especially dire on PlayStation platforms, where promised hotfixes have yet to materialize.
PC players aren't faring much better either. Digital Foundry previously labeled the Windows version's performance as "alarmingly poor," reinforcing the need for comprehensive updates across all systems.
Commercial Success Despite Technical Troubles
The remaster's phenomenal sales tell another story entirely. Within a week of its surprise April 22 launch, Oblivion Remastered skyrocketed to become 2025's third best-selling title in the U.S., trailing only Monster Hunter: Wilds and Assassin's Creed Shadows.
Virtuos' comprehensive overhaul brings numerous enhancements: native 4K/60fps support, revamped combat mechanics, improved NPC interactions, and refined UI systems. The quality upgrades have led many fans to argue this constitutes a full remake rather than just a remaster.
Newcomer Tips and Glitch Discoveries
Seasoned players are already offering crucial advice for beginners – particularly regarding Kvatch's notorious level scaling system. Meanwhile, intrepid explorers have uncovered methods to breach Cyrodiil's borders, wandering into regions like Valenwood and Hammerfell that may feature in the upcoming Elder Scrolls VI.
For those diving into Tamriel's retouched landscapes, we've compiled essential guides covering everything from optimal character builds to comprehensive quest walkthroughs. Don't miss our interactive map detailing every dungeon, artifact, and secret Cyrodiil has to offer.
