The Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion’s Original Level Scaling System, Which Is Still in Oblivion Remastered, Was a ‘Mistake,’ Designer Admits
One bothersome feature of Oblivion’s 20-year-old open-world RPG is its level scaling system. This means that the power level of loot you obtain depends on your character’s level at the time you acquire it. For instance, if you finish a quest for a desired sword at level one, you’ll receive a sword with power locked at level one. If you complete the same quest at level 25, you’ll get the sword at level 25. Unfortunately, this means that a cool sword you obtained early in the game will always be limited to level one power throughout your entire playthrough, regardless of how much you level up. Essentially, players may unintentionally finish quests prematurely, rendering unique items less useful as they progress through the game.