When Bethesda rolled out The Elder Scrolls 4: Oblivion back in 2006, it instantly set a high bar for open-world games. Players fell in love with its expansive landscapes, the myriad of quests brimming with intrigue, and the endless possibilities for customizing characters with everything from spells to swordplay to archery. It was these features that made Oblivion shine back then. Yet, it also gained another kind of fame — for its quirky, sometimes clunky charm. Gamers chuckled at the awkward NPC chats, nonsensical antics, over-the-top voice acting, and the gloriously bizarre physics glitches.
For over two decades, nostalgic fans have looked back fondly at this beloved game. It’s reached such iconic status that its quirky moments have sprouted popular memes across the internet, with plenty of clips lighting up YouTube channels like Bacon_. So, you can imagine my anticipation mixed with a pinch of trepidation when Bethesda and Virtuos Games unexpectedly launched Oblivion Remastered this past week. My worry? That they’d “fix” all those lovable quirks that fans adored.
But, just hours after its release, my fears were put to rest. Oblivion Remastered breathes new life into the visuals and mechanics of the original game, but it wisely leaves all its amusing oddities intact. Just browse the Oblivion subreddit for proof, though my personal highlight has to be a long-loved meme from Bacon_ that’s been delightfully recreated in the remaster, a whole seven years after it first rolled out.
Speaking of classic moments, remember that viral 2018 YouTube clip that racked up 18 million views? It captures a bizarre encounter where a thief NPC robs the player of 100 Gold only to later claim indifference when the player steals it back. This hilarious exchange encapsulates the zany nature of the original game, which is why it warmed my heart to see the same scenario play out in the exact spot in this new remaster.
Visually dazzling thanks to Unreal Engine 5, and featuring smoother combat, Oblivion Remastered still keeps the spirit of the original game intact at its core. Bacon_ has added another gem to their collection with a new version of a classic clip where Rena Bruiant professes her love for dogs, shortly before her husband bizarrely attacks one of their pets. I must say, the old “YEEHAUGH!” battle cry was a bit more spirited than its modern “Hough!” counterpart.
This new version’s faithfulness to the source is likely why it’s capturing hearts and trending so well. For a fresh generation of players, it’s akin to getting their hands on a brand new Elder Scrolls experience. Currently, it’s a hit on Steam and is available on Xbox and PC through Xbox Game Pass — sorry, PS5 folks. While it retails for $49.99, there’s a deal on Fanatical offering it for $41.49.
