Oblivion’s dungeons suck, Skyblivion is making them better: ‘That’s where the power of a proper remake comes from’

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In my time playing Oblivion Remastered, I’ve come to realize that the dungeons in this game can be quite disappointing. They tend to be maze-like, and there are only a few types of them. When you finally reach the end, the reward is usually just a handful of gold and a mediocre item, like a journeyman’s hammer. To make matters worse, you then have to retrace your steps to find your way back out.

Bethesda didn’t truly perfect their dungeon design until Skyrim. In this game, there was usually some reward waiting for you after a prolonged period of fighting and battling – perhaps a magical weapon or a new shout to add to your arsenal.

During my conversation with the main developer of Skyblivion, Rebelzize, it appeared that a significant aim for the project would be to adapt the dungeon design concept from Oblivion and apply it to the region of Cyrodiil in the Skyrim remake.

Rebel stated, “Playing Oblivion today can be aggravating at times, as the original game design doesn’t feel as relevant now, and this issue persists in Bethesda’s remaster. However, they didn’t completely rebuild it, which sets Skyblivion apart, making our project more appealing.

The fan-made remake of Skyblivion, compared to Bethesda’s remaster of Oblivion, has a unique twist: it aims to preserve the quirks and idiosyncrasies that defined the original game. As Rebel explains, “We still have something special to bring to the table, as we’ve essentially reimagined almost every aspect of the game.

In Skyrim, a simple illustration is an element initially presented, where upon reaching the boss chamber, the final zone, you encounter a circular pathway leading you back to your starting point. Conversely, in Oblivion and its remastered version, typically there’s nothing awaiting at the end – no boss, no loot, and no reward to justify the effort invested in that uneventful cave expedition. After completing this unrewarding exploration, you must retrace your steps all the way back.

In Skyblivion, there’s a point I’ve been emphasizing to all team members: we want the dungeons to be enjoyable. If a dungeon doesn’t offer anything more than a temporary distraction from what one is doing, it can’t simply be a bear den—a place with just a huge black bear at the end.

This news is quite thrilling for me personally. Oblivion Remastered appears to be the familiar Oblivion from 2006 encased in a fresh coat of paint, yet it seems that the Skyblivion team is intentionally veering towards a ‘remake’ style. They aren’t shy about challenging some of the original’s cherished traditions if they believe it will enhance the gameplay experience. You might say that Oblivion is like a picturesque landscape from afar, with its dense forests, but once you step into those woods, there isn’t much to see between one city and another.

According to Rebel, the potential for introducing fresh details, innovative design concepts, and novel elements is what empowers a successful remake. It’s here that I aspire our work will resonate and maintain influence within online culture and the Elder Scrolls community.

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2025-06-20 13:47