For many Xbox 360 gamers, The Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion sparked unforgettable moments. As a former writer for Official Xbox Magazine, I found myself captivated by Oblivion in a way its predecessor, Morrowind, never managed. From the outset, Oblivion—originally slated as a launch title for Microsoft’s second console—grabbed my attention. Our team ran multiple cover stories, with its jaw-dropping screenshots generating buzz well before release. I eagerly made repeated trips to Bethesda’s Rockville, Maryland office to dive deeper into the game’s world.
When the chance came to review Oblivion—an exclusive opportunity back then—I jumped at it. I spent four unforgettable 11-hour days immersed in Cyrodiil, exploring a breathtaking, open-world medieval fantasy realm. By the time I flew home, I had logged 44 hours and awarded the game a well-deserved 9.5/10 in our review, a score I stand by today. Packed with compelling quests like the Dark Brotherhood storyline and hidden gems like the unicorn, Oblivion delivered endless surprises. Since I played a pre-release build on a debug kit, I restarted from scratch with the retail version, diving back in without hesitation.
The Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion Remastered Screenshots
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I poured another 130 hours into The Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion with ease, so it’s no shock I’m ecstatic about its remastered release on modern platforms.
For younger gamers raised on Skyrim, The Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion Remastered marks their first fresh mainline Elder Scrolls experience since Skyrim’s debut over 13 years ago, as fans of all ages await The Elder Scrolls VI, still likely years away.
That said, Oblivion may not resonate with newer players as it did for me in 2006. Now nearly two decades old, it lacks the groundbreaking visual impact it once had as the HD era’s first true next-gen title on Xbox 360. While the remaster improves the visuals, it doesn’t redefine gaming like the original did. Unlike full remakes like Resident Evil, which rebuild from the ground up to rival modern titles, remasters like this aim to refresh classics for current systems.
The Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion arrived at the perfect moment, leveraging HD technology to redefine open-world gaming. It stunned console players accustomed to lower-resolution displays, delivering a scope far beyond anything before it. (Though, in fairness, EA’s Fight Night Round 3, released a month earlier, also turned heads with its visuals.)
My time in Oblivion left me with countless memories of its vast, explorable world. For newcomers, here’s a tip: either race through the main quest to close the Oblivion gates quickly or save it until you’ve tackled every sidequest and open-world activity, as those gates can disrupt your exploration.
The leap from Morrowind to Oblivion was monumental, a feat that may not be replicated until The Elder Scrolls VI arrives. While Oblivion Remastered may not feel as revolutionary for Skyrim-era players, its richly crafted world, packed with adventures and surprises, remains my favorite Elder Scrolls title. Its return, despite a less-than-secret launch, is a welcome revival.
