Oblivion Remastered on PS5: Stunning New Graphics, Old-School Weirdness, and Surprising Flaws

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Back in 2006, I found myself completely captivated by The Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion – a game that truly set the bar for open-world experiences. Granted, there have been games since then that surpassed it mechanically and technically, but nothing has ever quite matched the enchantment of Oblivion for me.

Interestingly, internet memes played a crucial role in maintaining the affection and nostalgia for Oblivion among many people. To put it simply, this game is known for its humor, with confusing character behavior and a touch of absurdity in everyday moments that you’d find in a comedic performance.

To ensure that the essence of what made the original game special and unforgettable remained intact, it was crucial for Oblivion Remastered not to lose its distinct strangeness. Keeping this in focus, developer Virtuos – under the watchful eye of Bethesda – has done an impressive job of reimagining Oblivion while preserving its cherished character instead of altering it.

Without a doubt, this isn’t just an enhancement; it’s essentially a new version of the original game, despite the misleading name. The entire game has been reconstructed using Unreal Engine 5, and the transformation is nothing short of breathtaking. It’s as if you’re seeing Oblivion for the first time again, with its stunning landscapes and awe-inspiring sunbeams illuminating the scenery.

As an ardent admirer, I’d say Oblivion Remastered strikes a shrewd balance between a comprehensive, perhaps unrecognizable overhaul, and a less intensive, high-resolution re-release. It introduces significant and delightful alterations to the fundamental gameplay systems, mechanisms, and animations, aiming to forge an ultimate gaming experience – and for the large part, it achieves its goal.

Although the remastered version might not include all the minor aspects of the original game, its advantages certainly surpass its disadvantages – particularly on console systems, where players lack the extensive mod options available for nearly two decades.

Besides the noticeable graphical updates, combat seems to have greatly improved in the Remastered version. The original combat system in Oblivion, though innovative in 2006, has become somewhat awkward over time, with attacks appearing unpredictable and impact feedback upon hits being minimal.

Rather than creating new actions, Virtuos has added innovative animations, sounds, and user interface components, such as damage crosshairs, that enhance the realism of your intense experiences.

Among various battle strategies and numerous magical abilities, crafting your unique approach to gameplay is a key factor in its charm; these updates even make combats captivating enough to truly admire the game’s dedication to player autonomy in Oblivion.

Without a doubt, ‘freedom’ is an apt term for Oblivion as a whole. In 2006, players were astonished by the game’s expansiveness. It wasn’t merely about its open-world aspect, but also because it was a genuine sandbox. Despite having only tens of inhabitants in its towns and cities, Cyrodiil managed to create an illusion of ongoing life – as if it would carry on even without your presence.

Bethesda’s RPGs have never leaned towards intricate dialogue options and deep role-playing; instead, they emphasize the idea of freedom within a carefully designed open environment. In its straightforward design, The Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion distinguishes itself from more recent counterparts.

2025 sees an unexpected charm in the straightforwardness of the exploration and quest design, making it a delightfully addictive journey despite some quirks on Oblivion’s surface. This appeal is more accessible if you’re already reminiscing about the past, adding to its allure.

In essence, Oblivion may challenge the patience of modern gamers, whether they harbor nostalgia or not. Generally speaking, the game’s quests can be quite good, if not exceptional, but there are certain tasks that would make even the most monotonous MMO fetch quests seem engaging.

As I delve deeper into this game, it seems that passing time becomes more of a task than enjoyment. Often, NPCs will send me on a quest to retrieve an item, sending me across vast landscapes only to return at a specific hour. The repetitive nature of these quests can be tiresome, and even with the convenience of fast travel and a ‘wait’ feature, Oblivion sometimes feels like it’s dragging out my gaming experience unnecessarily.

In Skyrim, Bethesda’s attempts to enhance dungeon design are noticeable when compared to Oblivion. The latter is filled with repetitive caves and ruins, which can be found in seemingly endless numbers across its landscape. Upon finishing these dungeons, you often find yourself at a dead end, requiring you to retrace your steps back to the entrance.

The materials here feel rather primitive compared to modern standards, and it’s a pity that the Remastered version didn’t address more of the Role-Playing Game’s most debatable aspects.

Just as unsatisfying – and even less tolerable – is the technical performance of Oblivion Remastered at launch. The initial version was a choppy mess on the PS3, and now, nearly 20 years later, its re-emergence is plagued with frequent frame rate stutters and glitches on the PS5. It’s almost laughable if it weren’t so infuriating.

The game generally operates smoothly at 60 frames per second when you’re inside or in urban areas. However, the open-world aspect can be quite different. Some locations experience frequent drops, while others have regular pauses. It’s playable, but it’s certainly not flawless.

Despite the critical remarks towards the latter part of our review, it’s important to emphasize that Oblivion’s primary qualities have endured over time. This game has managed to captivate many players, and as you traverse Cyrodiil’s expansive landscapes while listening to its timeless soundtrack, it becomes evident why

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2025-04-29 20:08