Oblivion Remastered: Hint at Bethesda’s Next Big Change?

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Previously launched The Elder Scrolls 4: Oblivion Remastered last month was indeed an exhilarating unveiling, delivering gamers an updated and visually polished version of the classic 2006 RPG. Above all, Oblivion Remastered serves as a nostalgic journey back in time, evoking memories of Bethesda’s early creations before it became the renowned brand that it is today.

Despite the enhanced version of “Oblivion Remastered“, it underscores the scarcity of fresh ideas that seem to afflict many of Bethesda’s contemporary titles. While games such as “Fallout 4” and “Starfield” exhibit distinct visual aesthetics, narrative moods, and in-game experiences, the fundamental elements of Bethesda’s game design formula remain largely untouched. This is evident in their open-world structure, which remains strikingly similar despite differences in scale and setting, and consistent quest design as well.

This adherence to a familiar format is what many players appreciate about Bethesda games. However, innovation and risk-taking are crucial for any studio, and there’s a portion of the gaming community that has yearned for more innovative approaches in Bethesda’s recent projects. Post the release of “Oblivion Remastered“, Bethesda has an opportunity to cater to both groups.

Bethesda Could Move Forward While Staying Familiar by Repeating its Oblivion Remastered Strategy

More Remasters Could Give The Elder Scrolls 6 Room To Experiment

It seems that Bethesda’s developers and passionate fans generally appreciate the traditional approach of games like Elder Scrolls and 3D Fallout. However, it’s also evident that not everyone is entirely comfortable with such a strong commitment to tradition. One of the main criticisms of Starfield at its release was its lack of development, and even its fans acknowledge that its strengths come from how it utilizes the Bethesda RPG framework, rather than how it reinterprets or expands upon it. In essence, Starfield showcases Bethesda’s devotion to their long-standing formula, which can be both appealing and limiting.

A game like Oblivion Remastered could effectively utilize classic design features, given its history. After all, it’s not expected for Oblivion Remastered to create something entirely new – it was instrumental in establishing the foundation. Perhaps Bethesda could periodically refresh their distinctive game design blueprint with remakes and remasters, updating older games to align with modern preferences. This would enable them to refine their formula, making it more streamlined, visually appealing, and contemporary, thus catering to fans who seek an enhanced version of these classic titles. In essence, this could be what Starfield and Fallout 4 represent – polished, updated versions of previous works.

By catering to this request, Bethesda might find itself with greater creative freedom for “The Elder Scrolls 6” and future RPGs. This is because fans would still be able to experience the classic style through remakes. In essence, this dual strategy could lead to a much more daring, innovative, and experimental “Elder Scrolls 6”, one that breaks away from tradition and player assumptions in pursuit of groundbreaking change. Essentially, Bethesda would be able to enjoy the best of both worlds.

The Elder Scrolls 6 Needs Change, Regardless of Bethesda’s Broader Strategy

Despite having a dedicated fanbase, it’s clear that Starfield didn’t achieve the blockbuster status that both Bethesda and Microsoft were aiming for. Given the lukewarm response to Fallout 4 and the rocky start of Fallout 76, Bethesda desperately needed Starfield to be a resounding success, not just a moderate one with mixed reviews.

It’s obvious that Starfield didn’t perform as well as expected due to its reluctance to innovate. It followed the same structural, progressional, exploratory, and narrative delivery patterns as previous Bethesda games. To improve in The Elder Scrolls 6, Bethesda should take a step further and experiment more. Additionally, remasters of both Elder Scrolls and Fallout titles could help them explore new ground.

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2025-05-23 14:26