Bethesda released the remastered version of The Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion Remastered on Tuesday (22). The studio completely remade the 2006 RPG in Unreal Engine 5, preserving the original structure and adding visual and mechanical improvements aimed at the new generation of players.
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The new version was developed by Virtuos, a Bethesda partner studio. According to Todd Howard, creative director of the franchise, the term "Remastered" was chosen because "the game still preserves many of the core elements of the original title." Despite the visual overhaul, the narrative and structure of the adventure remain faithful to the classic.
Modern graphics, but preserved soul
The remaster includes all the additional content from the game released almost two decades ago, such as the Knights of the Nine and Shivering Isles expansions. The developers rebuilt the technical elements from scratch, focusing on character models, lighting, animations, and visual effects.
The game also received a new, cleaner, and more intuitive interface, and updated sound effects. The combat system now offers haptic feedback on the controls, new particle elements, and the ability to run, something absent in the original version. Furthermore, Howard emphasized that the goal was "to make Oblivion more accessible and exciting for today's players, without erasing its identity.".
Skyrim's influence is evident in the new progression system
The team revamped the leveling system and incorporated mechanics from Skyrim, such as skill-based progression. This gives players more freedom to shape their characters to their preferred playstyle.
The game also features new voice recordings, adapted for the different playable races. The actors re-recorded their lines to bring the characters to life, but the developers maintained the classic and peculiar dialogue system of the original version. For many fans, this decision reinforces the nostalgic nature of the remaster.
Immediate release and availability on Game Pass
The Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion Remastered is now available for download on PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S, and PC. Within the Microsoft ecosystem, the title is available directly on Game Pass, expanding access to the new version.
Players can now find Oblivion Remastered on sale for R$ 265.90 in the standard edition and for R$ 319.90 in the Deluxe version. The latter offers exclusive cosmetic items, a remastered soundtrack, and a digital art book from the development process. Both versions are available for download on Steam and the Xbox Store.
Thus, with a solid foundation and substantial improvements, Oblivion Remastered attempts to balance nostalgia with innovation, targeting both series veterans and new players. However, Bethesda has not yet revealed whether it intends to apply the same treatment to other older titles in the franchise, such as Morrowind.