"Oblivion Designer Praises Bethesda's Remaster as 'Oblivion 2.0'"

Bruce Nesmith, the senior game designer of the original The Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion, has expressed awe at Bethesda and Virtuos' work on the newly released Oblivion Remastered. In a conversation with VideoGamer, Nesmith highlighted the immense effort that went into the original game, making the comprehensive update to the remaster even more surprising. He initially anticipated just a texture update, but the remaster goes far beyond that, revamping animations, the animation system, integrating the Unreal Engine, and modifying both the leveling system and user interface. Nesmith feels that the term "remaster" might not fully capture the extent of the changes, suggesting that "remake" might be more appropriate.

Despite no official announcement from Bethesda prior to its launch, the community has been largely impressed by the extensive alterations, ranging from visual enhancements to core gameplay modifications. New additions like a sprint mechanic and changes to the leveling system have led many, including Nesmith, to consider Oblivion Remastered as more of a remake than a simple remaster. Nesmith went as far as to call it "Oblivion 2.0," emphasizing the staggering scope of the update.

In a statement shared on social media, Bethesda clarified their approach to the remaster. They emphasized their intent was not to remake Oblivion but to enhance the beloved experience for both returning fans and newcomers. The studio expressed gratitude for the support from their community and hopes that everyone feels the thrill of exploring Cyrodiil anew when stepping out of the Imperial sewer.

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 access it at no additional cost. The release has sparked renewed interest within the Elder Scrolls community, particularly among modders. For those eager to dive into the remastered world, comprehensive guides are available, covering everything from an interactive map to detailed walkthroughs of the main and guild quests, character building tips, and initial steps to take in the game.