The Elder Scrolls 4: Oblivion Remastered — Xbox Game Pass, platforms, and everything you need to know

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Turns out, the whispers, news, and sneak peeks were all true! The Elder Scrolls 4: Oblivion Remastered has officially hit the shelves.

With this unexpected release, gamers can once again immerse themselves in the realm initially uncovered by Bethesda Game Studios as far back as 2006.

In the gaming world, an unexpected release like this isn’t commonplace, especially for a game as substantial as The Elder Scrolls 4: Oblivion Remastered. To help you get up to speed, I’ve collected all the essential details about it.

What is The Elder Scrolls 4: Oblivion Remastered?

What is The Elder Scrolls 4: Oblivion Remastered?

The updated version you’re referring to is simply known as The Elder Scrolls 4: Oblivion Remastered – it’s a fresh take on Bethesda Game Studios’ original release from 2006, also titled The Elder Scrolls 4: Oblivion. This new version has been meticulously crafted by Virtuos, while a team at Bethesda Game Studios has been guiding the project.

2006 saw the launch of The Elder Scrolls 4: Oblivion by developers Bethesda Game Studios and publishers Bethesda Softworks. As implied, it marked the fourth installment in the main series of The Elder Scrolls role-playing games, which they had been producing.

A year after its release, the game was adapted for PlayStation 3. It went on to sell countless units across all three platforms, experiencing commercial success. However, it couldn’t compare to the monumental sales of The Elder Scrolls 5: Skyrim in 2011.

2023 saw the emergence of leaked documents from the Microsoft vs. FTC court case, hinting at potential development phases for enhanced editions of The Elder Scrolls 4: Oblivion and Fallout 3.

During both 2024 and the beginning of 2025, numerous sources including well-known leaksters hinted at the game’s secret preparation for an unanticipated release, often referred to as a “surprise drop.” This means that the announcement and launch would occur on the same unexpected day.

On April 22nd, 2025, Bethesda unveiled The Elder Scrolls 4: Oblivion Remastered, making it available for purchase on the very same day. This updated version of the game has been primarily developed by support studio Virtuos, with Bethesda Game Studios closely supervising the project.

Is Oblivion Remastered a remake or remaster?

Is Oblivion Remastered a remake or a remaster?

The developers emphasize that this is an enhanced version, rather than a complete overhaul, of the original game. While the terms might be used differently in different gaming circles, it’s important to note that substantial effort has been put into refining gameplay aspects and giving the game a fresh look while maintaining the fundamental systems that underpin the overall experience.

According to Bethesda Game Studios, The Elder Scrolls 4: Oblivion Remastered is not a complete overhaul or reimagining, but rather an enhanced version of the original game.

In this setup, Virtuos, using Unreal Engine 5, has created entirely fresh visual assets for the game. These new visuals are layered over the refined and adjusted original Gamebryo engine. This updated version includes new sound recordings for specific lines, enhancements like improved combat, and bug fixes.

A great deal of work has been invested into this game remaster compared to many others, yet it doesn’t reach the extent of overhauls like those found in most Resident Evil remakes, which not only revamp but also significantly modify the gaming experience.

In my opinion, while keeping the core essence, this change might transform the game into more of a reboot or updated version rather than simply an enhancement or expansion.

In essence, what truly counts is recognizing the depth of effort invested in this task. It’s crucial to understand that this isn’t a trivial endeavor that merely touched up the original game with a digital brush; it required substantial work and dedication.

What price is The Elder Scrolls 4: Oblivion Remastered?

What price is The Elder Scrolls 4: Oblivion Remastered?

In the Standard Version of The Elder Scrolls 4: Oblivion Remastered, you’ll pay $50 USD, but if you opt for the Deluxe Version, it costs $60 USD instead.

As a bystander, I’m noting that there are two distinct editions of The Elder Scrolls 4: Oblivion Remastered up for grabs. These are the Standard Edition and Deluxe Edition, with the former retailing at $50 and the latter at $60 in the United States.

In the Standard Version, you get the base game along with all the initial downloadable content for Oblivion. The Deluxe Version, on the other hand, offers additional aesthetic items and connected missions.

If you already own the Standard Edition and decide you’d like the additional features of the Deluxe Edition later on, you have the option to purchase an upgrade to the Deluxe Edition for $10. This upgrade will grant you access to the extra content, but you won’t receive a new copy of the game itself.

Where can I get The Elder Scrolls 4: Oblivion Remastered?

What platforms can I get The Elder Scrolls 4: Oblivion Remastered on?

You can now play The Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion Remastered on Xbox Series X and S, Windows personal computers, or PlayStation 5 systems.

You can now play The Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion Remastered on Xbox Series X and S consoles, as well as on personal computers using Steam, or on your PlayStation 5.

Currently, several Xbox games like DOOM: The Dark Ages and Sea of Thieves aren’t missing from Blizzard Entertainment’s Battle.net PC launcher, but Oblivion Remastered isn’t included at this time. However, there’s a possibility that could alter in the future.

The game hasn’t yet been confirmed for the forthcoming Nintendo Switch 2, however, it’s quite likely that it might be revealed for Nintendo’s most recent system in the future.

Oblivion Remastered — Release date

When is Oblivion Remastered’s release date?

On the unexpected date of April 22, 2025, Oblivion Remastered was unveiled and released simultaneously in what’s known as a “surprise launch” or “stealth release.

Is The Elder Scrolls 4: Oblivion Remastered on Xbox Game Pass?

Is The Elder Scrolls 4: Oblivion Remastered on Xbox Game Pass?

Absolutely, you can find The Elder Scrolls 4: Oblivion Remastered on both Xbox Game Pass Ultimate and PC Game Pass subscriptions.

All Xbox first-party games published by Activision Blizzard, Bethesda Softworks, and Xbox Game Studios will become available for play on the first day of release for subscribers of Xbox Game Pass Ultimate and PC Game Pass, across all platforms.

In keeping with the norm, The Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion Remastered is not an exception – it’s currently accessible for download and play by Xbox Game Pass Ultimate and PC Game Pass members.

Xbox Game Pass Ultimate subscribers also have the option of streaming it through Xbox Cloud Gaming.

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2025-04-25 13:39