The Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion Remastered – Review
Reviewed by Karan Parmar | April 22, 2025
The Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion Remastered is more than a facelift. It’s a carefully rebuilt version of a beloved classic that honors the original while updating enough to feel modern. Originally released in 2006, Oblivion was a defining open-world RPG of its time. In 2025, Bethesda and Virtuos return to Cyrodiil with a full-scale remaster that upgrades visuals, enhances combat, tweaks the leveling system, and improves performance while keeping the soul of the game intact. It’s not a perfect package, and some of its legacy quirks still linger, but the final product is undeniably the best version of Oblivion ever made.
Visuals and World Design
The moment you step out of the Imperial Sewers, it’s clear that Cyrodiil has never looked this good. Unreal Engine 5 breathes new life into the game’s lush forests, towering mountains, glowing Ayleid ruins, and fog-covered marshes. The updated lighting system creates natural shadows that stretch and move with the time of day, and reflections on water shimmer realistically. Cities like Bruma and Skingrad feel far more alive with updated architecture, denser foliage, and improved atmospheric effects. Character models have received a complete overhaul, with far more realistic textures, facial animations, and armor designs. It’s not on the level of a modern AAA title built from scratch, but it comes surprisingly close in many moments. The remaster keeps some of the awkward NPC movements and facial expressions, whether by choice or limitation, which might pull newcomers out of the immersion briefly, but fans will find it oddly endearing.
Gameplay and Combat
Combat has been significantly reworked to feel more responsive and rewarding. The core mechanics remain familiar: you swing swords in real time, cast spells with a tap, and shoot arrows manually. But movement now feels more fluid, blocking is tied to a stamina bar, and dodging has been introduced, letting you sidestep heavy hits. Enemy reactions are more natural, and ranged attacks now include precision mechanics like headshot bonuses. Magic also feels more satisfying, with improved visual effects and clearer impact when spells land. The combat still retains some of its traditional weight and clunkiness, which can feel outdated compared to today’s action RPGs, but fans of the original will appreciate that it hasn’t gone too far in trying to be something it’s not.
Progression and Systems
One of the biggest complaints about the original Oblivion was its leveling system, which could punish you for playing “wrong.” This remaster smooths those edges without stripping away depth. Skill progression is more natural, and you’re no longer locked into awkward stat-boosting routines just to keep up with enemies. A new Virtue Points system allows more freedom in customizing your character’s playstyle. Stealth and archery in particular have been greatly improved, offering more reliable detection mechanics and better feedback when landing sneak attacks. Lockpicking, persuasion, alchemy, and other classic systems are still here mostly untouched, but they work better thanks to subtle UI improvements. The result is a game that feels familiar but is far less frustrating to engage with.
Story and Quests
Oblivion’s main quest still holds up remarkably well. The Oblivion Gates, the struggle for the throne, and the rise of Mehrunes Dagon remain gripping. But the real magic lies in the side content. The Dark Brotherhood arc is as twisted and brilliant as ever. The Thieves Guild remains one of the best stealth-driven questlines in RPG history. The Fighters and Mages Guilds offer memorable, layered storylines. The Shivering Isles expansion, included in the remaster, is still a standout, dripping with madness, surreal landscapes, and unforgettable characters like Sheogorath. What makes these quests so strong isn’t just their writing, but how they naturally tie into the world around you. You don’t just do fetch quests; you get wrapped in plots, uncover betrayals, and change the course of Cyrodiil’s future. It’s all still here, and the updated visuals and smoother systems make it easier than ever to lose yourself in the storytelling.
Audio and Voice Acting
The iconic soundtrack composed by Jeremy Soule sounds richer than ever, with re-recorded audio in higher bitrates that gives each track more depth and warmth. From the serene tracks that play during forest exploration to the swelling battle music, the soundscape remains as immersive and emotionally resonant as it was nearly two decades ago. Voice acting has also seen upgrades, with improved syncing and some redone lines to smooth over awkward performances from the original. The cast still includes some recognizable voices, and while you’ll still hear the same voice actor across multiple NPCs occasionally, it feels less jarring thanks to the wider pool of voice samples and improved delivery. Ambient sounds like wind, wildlife, and footsteps have also been modernized, helping the world feel alive and reactive.
Performance and Stability
Performance on PC is decent but far from flawless. While mid- to high-end GPUs can generally handle the game well, there are noticeable issues that impact the experience. Players may encounter frequent stutters, especially during traversal across large open areas or in densely populated cities. Frame rate drops are not uncommon, and extended play sessions without restarting can make things worse. These problems aren’t game-breaking, but they do disrupt the immersion. On the bright side, load times are impressively short, fast travel feels nearly instantaneous, and the auto-save system works as expected. Despite the technical hiccups, it’s still a far more stable experience than the original release, but there’s room for further optimization.
Bugs, Glitches, and Charm
In typical Bethesda fashion, some bugs remain, but they’re far less frequent and far more amusing than frustrating. You’ll still get the occasional T-posing NPC or guard who seems to know you committed a crime halfway across the map, but it’s all part of Oblivion’s charm. Bethesda seems to understand that part of the joy of this game is its unpredictability. From unicorns that go on murder sprees to the ability to wipe out entire cults and break quest logic entirely, the sandbox nature of the world is still present. And for many, that’s exactly what makes Oblivion special: it gives you tools, a world, and freedom, and it’s up to you to see how far you can push it.
Final Verdict
Oblivion Remastered is a heartfelt love letter to one of the most beloved RPGs ever made. It doesn’t try to reinvent the wheel. It doesn’t strip away the quirks that gave the original its identity. Instead, it polishes and modernizes the game just enough to make it comfortable for today’s audiences without sacrificing what made it special. It’s not perfect; some systems still feel dated, and a few bugs slipped through the cracks, but it’s a rich, immersive, and incredibly rewarding experience for those willing to dive in. Whether you’re returning to Cyrodiil or stepping into it for the first time, this is the definitive way to experience Oblivion. A remaster done right.
Rating: 8/10
Special thanks to Bethesda for providing the review code.
© Images and screenshots used in this review are courtesy of Bethesda / Virtuos Games.
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You can purchase Oblivion Remastered from the following official platforms:
Support the developers and relive the legendary journey through Cyrodiil, beautifully reimagined for today.
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