Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion's Impact Surpasses Skyrim

Ask most gamers who were around during the Xbox 360 era, and despite the infamous Red Ring of Death, they'll likely share fond memories of their gaming experiences. Among those, *The Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion* stands out as a cherished title for many Xbox 360 owners, including myself. At the time, I was working at Official Xbox Magazine, and while the successful port of *The Elder Scrolls III: Morrowind* to Xbox didn't quite capture my interest, *Oblivion* did so from the very beginning. Originally slated as a launch title for the Xbox 360, *Oblivion* was the subject of multiple cover stories at OXM, with its stunning screenshots captivating everyone. I eagerly participated in each trip to Bethesda's headquarters in Rockville, Maryland, to cover the game's development.

When it came time to review *Oblivion*, I jumped at the opportunity, especially since exclusive reviews were common back then. I returned to Rockville and spent four glorious days in a conference room at Bethesda's basement, immersing myself in the breathtaking world of Cyrodiil. Over those four consecutive 11-hour days, I logged 44 hours of gameplay before writing OXM's 9.5 out of 10 review, a score I stand by to this day. *Oblivion* was an exceptional game, filled with engaging quests like the Dark Brotherhood, unexpected discoveries such as the unicorn, and much more. Since I played a submission build on an Xbox 360 debug kit, I had to start over when I received the final retail version, into which I eagerly poured another 130 hours.

The Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion Remastered Screenshots

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The recent remaster of *The Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion* has me thrilled, especially as it introduces a new generation of gamers—those who grew up with *Skyrim*—to their first "new" mainline Elder Scrolls game since *Skyrim* debuted over 13 years ago. While fans of all ages eagerly await *The Elder Scrolls VI*, which is still several years away, this remaster offers a fresh experience for younger players. However, I must admit that *Oblivion* might not resonate with them the same way it did for me back in March 2006. It's a two-decade-old game now, and while Bethesda's remaster enhances its visuals, it doesn't have the same groundbreaking impact it had in 2006, when it was arguably the first true next-gen game of the HD era. Subsequent games, including Bethesda's own *Fallout 3*, *Skyrim*, *Fallout 4*, and *Starfield*, have built upon *Oblivion*'s foundation, and the remaster, while improved, doesn't stand out as dramatically as it once did.

*The Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion* was the perfect game at the perfect time, leveraging HD televisions to expand the scope and scale of open-world gaming. It was a revelation for console gamers accustomed to 640x480 interlaced visuals. My memories of *Oblivion* are filled with exploration and discovery, and for first-time players, I recommend either rushing through the main quest or saving it for last. The reason? Once you start the main quest, Oblivion gates will begin to spawn, potentially disrupting your exploration. It's best to deal with them early on.

The technological leap from *Morrowind* to *Oblivion* was monumental, and while we might not see such a leap again, the remaster of *Oblivion* still holds a special place in my heart. It may not offer the same stark contrast to *Skyrim* for younger gamers, but its fully realized medieval fantasy world, filled with surprises and adventures, remains my favorite in the Elder Scrolls series. I'm thrilled to see it back, even if its release was anticipated long before it finally arrived.