Bruce Nesmith, the senior game designer behind the original The Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion, has expressed his awe at the work done on Bethesda and Virtuos' Oblivion Remastered. In a recent interview with VideoGamer, Nesmith shared that the term "remaster" might not fully capture the extent of the changes made to the game. He highlighted the immense effort, or "blood, sweat, and tears," that went into crafting the original Cyrodiil, making the comprehensive reimagining of Oblivion all the more surprising.
"I was expecting just a texture update," Nesmith admitted. "But what they've announced is a complete overhaul. They've redone the animations, revamped the animation system, integrated the Unreal Engine, altered the leveling system, and revamped the user interface. They've touched every aspect of the game."
Despite no prior official announcement from Bethesda, the launch of Oblivion Remastered has left fans impressed with its extensive modifications, ranging from visual enhancements to core gameplay adjustments. New features like a sprint mechanic and changes to the leveling system have led many, including Nesmith, to consider it more of a remake than a mere remaster. Nesmith suggested that the closest label for this project might be "Oblivion 2.0," emphasizing the significant scope of the remastering. "It almost needs its own word," he remarked, questioning whether "remaster" truly does justice to the transformation.
In his discussion, Nesmith labeled the remastered version as "Oblivion 2.0," reflecting on the vast changes implemented. As the gaming community celebrates the efforts behind Oblivion Remastered, Bethesda provided insight into their naming choice for this RPG re-release. In a social media statement, the studio clarified that their goal was not to remake Oblivion but to modernize it while preserving the beloved experience for both returning players and newcomers, "warts and all."
"We know many of our longtime fans will be thrilled to revisit Oblivion and the land of Cyrodiil," Bethesda's statement continued. "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."
The Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion Remastered was unveiled and released as a surprise drop by Bethesda. It's now available on PC, PlayStation 5, and Xbox Series X and S, and is included at no additional cost for Xbox Game Pass Ultimate subscribers. The modding community has responded enthusiastically to this unexpected launch, further reinvigorating the Elder Scrolls community.
For those eager to dive into the remastered world of Cyrodiil, we offer a comprehensive guide that includes an expansive Interactive Map, 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.
