Bruce Nesmith, the senior game designer behind the original The Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion, has expressed his awe at the newly released Oblivion Remastered by Bethesda and Virtuos. In a recent interview with VideoGamer, Nesmith, who poured his heart and soul into the 2006 RPG, remarked that the term "remaster" might not fully capture the extent of the changes made to the game. He highlighted the "blood, sweat, and tears" that went into crafting the world of Cyrodiil, making the comprehensive reimagining of the game a surprising and impressive feat.
“I was assuming this was going to be a texture update,” Nesmith admitted. “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.”
Despite no prior official announcement from Bethesda, the sudden release of Oblivion Remastered has left fans amazed by the extensive modifications, ranging from visual enhancements to core gameplay adjustments. New features such as a sprint mechanic and alterations to the leveling system have led many to view the remaster as more akin to a remake. Nesmith shares this sentiment, suggesting that the term "remaster" might not be adequate. “The closest that could come [to categorising it] is Oblivion 2.0,” he stated, adding, “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 further explored the notion of labeling the project, reinforcing the idea of it being "Oblivion 2.0." As the gaming community celebrates the dedication behind Oblivion Remastered, Bethesda provided insight into their naming decision. In a social media statement, the studio clarified that they "never wanted to remake" Oblivion but aimed to modernize it for both returning and new players, warts and all.
“We know many of our longtime fans will be thrilled to revisit Oblivion and the land of Cyrodiil,” Bethesda’s statement 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.”
The Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion Remastered was shadow-dropped by Bethesda, and is now available on PC, PlayStation 5, and Xbox Series X and S. Xbox Game Pass Ultimate subscribers can enjoy it at no additional cost. The surprise launch has sparked enthusiasm within the Elder Scrolls modding community, eager to explore the revamped Cyrodiil.
For those diving into the remastered version, our comprehensive guide covers everything from an expansive Interactive Map, detailed Walkthroughs for the Main Questline and Guild Quests, tips on How to Build the Perfect Character, and Things to Do First, ensuring a rich and engaging experience.
