"Oblivion's Impact Surpasses Skyrim's, Even Today"

Ask most gamers who experienced the Xbox 360 era, and despite the infamous Red Ring of Death, they'll likely share a plethora of fond memories. Among those memories, *The Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion* stands out as a cherished gem for many Xbox 360 owners. I am one of them, having worked at Official Xbox Magazine during that time. While the successful port of *The Elder Scrolls III: Morrowind* to Xbox didn't fully capture my interest, *Oblivion*—initially slated as a launch title for the Xbox 360—captivated me from the start. We featured multiple cover stories on *Oblivion* leading up to its launch, with the game's stunning screenshots leaving everyone in awe. I eagerly volunteered for each trip to Bethesda's headquarters in Rockville, Maryland.

When the time came to review *Oblivion*, I jumped at the chance, especially during an era when exclusive reviews were the norm. I returned to Rockville, spending four glorious days in Bethesda's basement, immersed in the breathtaking, expansive medieval fantasy world of Cyrodiil. Before heading back home, I had already invested 44 hours into the game, which led to my enthusiastic 9.5 out of 10 review for OXM—a score I stand by to this day. *Oblivion* was a masterpiece, filled with engaging quests like the Dark Brotherhood, hidden surprises such as the unicorn, and so much more. Playing on a submission build at Bethesda meant starting over when I received the final retail copy, but that didn't deter me from diving back in and logging another 130 hours without hesitation. Naturally, I'm thrilled about the remastered and re-released version on modern platforms.

The Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion Remastered Screenshots

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For the younger generation who grew up with *Skyrim*, the newly released *The Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion Remastered* marks their first "new" mainline Elder Scrolls game since *Skyrim* debuted over 13 years ago. I envy these gamers for whom *Skyrim* defined the series, as they now have the chance to experience *Oblivion* for the first time. Meanwhile, fans of all ages eagerly await *The Elder Scrolls VI*, which is still likely 4-5 years away.

However, I must admit that *Oblivion* might not resonate with today's gamers in the same way it did for me back in March 2006. As a game now two decades old, it's been surpassed by subsequent titles, including Bethesda's own *Fallout 3*, *Skyrim*, *Fallout 4*, and *Starfield*. Moreover, its visual impact isn't as revolutionary today as it was in 2006, when it stood as the first true next-gen game of the HD era. While the remaster looks better than the original, it doesn't redefine visual standards as it once did. Remasters aim to modernize older games for current platforms, in contrast to remakes like *Resident Evil*, which are rebuilt from the ground up to match or exceed current visual standards.

*The Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion* was truly the right game at the right time. It harnessed the power of HD televisions and expanded the scope of open-world gaming, offering a visual and experiential leap for console gamers accustomed to 640x480 interlaced displays. (Though, speaking of visual leaps, *Fight Night Round 3* released by EA in February 2006 was also stunning.)

My memories of *Oblivion* are abundant, filled with endless discoveries and activities. For those playing *Oblivion* for the first time, I recommend either rushing through the main quest or saving it for last. Once you embark on the main storyline, Oblivion gates begin to spawn, which can become a nuisance. Clearing them quickly or delaying the main quest until you've explored everything else can enhance your experience.

The technological jump from *Morrowind* to *Oblivion* might be unprecedented, though perhaps *The Elder Scrolls 6* will bring another such leap if we wait long enough. Yet, playing *Oblivion Remastered* won't feel as starkly different from any *Skyrim* release for today's gamers. Regardless of whether you're experiencing *Oblivion* for the first time or have hundreds of hours logged, its fully realized medieval fantasy world, filled with surprises and adventures, remains my favorite in the Elder Scrolls series. I'm thrilled it's back, even if its surprise release was somewhat spoiled beforehand.