Oblivion's Impact Surpasses Skyrim, Even Today

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 with you. The Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion is one such cherished memory for many Xbox 360 owners, including myself. I worked at Official Xbox Magazine at the time, and while the port of The Elder Scrolls III: Morrowind never quite captured my interest, Oblivion grabbed me from the start. Originally slated to be a launch title for the Xbox 360, Oblivion was the subject of multiple cover stories in our magazine, with its screenshots leaving everyone in awe. I eagerly volunteered for each trip to Bethesda's office in Rockville, Maryland, to cover the game.

When it came time to review Oblivion, and in an era where exclusive reviews were common, I jumped at the chance. I returned to Rockville and spent four glorious days in a conference room in Bethesda's basement, immersing myself in the stunning, open world of Cyrodiil. I logged 44 hours in the game before writing OXM's 9.5 out of 10 review, a score I still stand by. The game was filled with engaging quests, like those from the Dark Brotherhood, hidden surprises 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 my retail copy, but that didn't deter me.

The Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion Remastered Screenshots

View 6 ImagesI eagerly poured another 130 hours into The Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion, so it's no surprise that I'm thrilled about its remastered and re-released version on modern platforms.

For the younger generation who grew up with Skyrim, the just-released The Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion Remastered will be their first "new" mainline Elder Scrolls game since Skyrim's initial release over 13 years ago. While franchise fans of all ages eagerly await The Elder Scrolls VI, which is likely still 4-5 years away, younger gamers have a fresh Elder Scrolls experience to dive into.

While I doubt Oblivion will have the same impact on younger players as it did for me back in March 2006, it's a two-decade-old game after all. Other games, including Bethesda's own Fallout 3, Skyrim, Fallout 4, and Starfield, have since built upon what Oblivion pioneered. Additionally, the remaster, while visually improved, doesn't have the same groundbreaking appeal it had in 2006 when it was arguably the first true next-gen game of the HD era. Remasters aim to modernize older games for current platforms, contrasting with full remakes like Resident Evil, which start from scratch and aim to match or surpass current visuals.

Which Race Are You Playing As in Oblivion? ------------------------------------------

AltmerArgonianBosmerBretonDunmerImperialKhajiitNordOrcRedguard

AnswerSee ResultsThe Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion was a game that came at the perfect time. By fully utilizing HD televisions and expanding the scope and scale of open-world gaming, it was a revelation for console gamers who had previously experienced games through 640x480 interlaced displays. (Though, speaking of stunning visuals, EA's Fight Night Round 3, released just before Oblivion in February 2006, was also breathtaking.) My memories of Oblivion are numerous, as it was a world brimming with discovery and adventure. For first-time players, my recommendation is to either rush through the main quest or save it until after exploring every side quest and open-world activity. The reason? Once you start the main quest, Oblivion gates will begin to spawn randomly and become a nuisance, so it's best to address them early.

The technological leap from Morrowind to Oblivion might never be replicated, though perhaps The Elder Scrolls 6 will surprise us. However, playing Oblivion Remastered won't feel as dramatically different from Skyrim as it did for me back then. Nonetheless, whether you're experiencing Oblivion for the first time or returning to its medieval fantasy world, its depth and surprises have always made it my favorite Elder Scrolls game. I'm thrilled it's back, even if its release was anticipated and spoiled multiple times before its arrival.