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, *The Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion* stands out as a cornerstone for many Xbox 360 owners, including myself. Working at *Official Xbox Magazine* during that time, I found that while *The Elder Scrolls III: Morrowind* on Xbox was a success, it didn't captivate me as much. However, *Oblivion*—originally slated as a launch title for the next Xbox—grabbed my attention from the start. We dedicated multiple cover stories to *Oblivion* before its release, with its screenshots mesmerizing everyone. I eagerly took every opportunity to visit Bethesda in Rockville, Maryland, to get a deeper look at the game.

When the time came to review *Oblivion*, and during an era when exclusive reviews were commonplace, I jumped at the opportunity. I spent four days immersed in Bethesda's basement conference room, living almost every waking moment in the breathtaking world of Cyrodiil. I logged 44 hours before writing *OXM's* 9.5 out of 10 review, a score I stand by to this day. *Oblivion* was filled with engaging quests like the Dark Brotherhood, unexpected discoveries such as the unicorn, and so much more. Playing on a submission build meant I had to restart when I received the retail version, but that didn't deter me from investing another 130 hours into the game.

The Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion Remastered Screenshots

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The excitement of *The Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion Remastered* being re-released on modern platforms is palpable, especially for someone like me who has such deep connections to the game. For the younger generation who grew up with *Skyrim*, this remaster will be their first "new" mainline *Elder Scrolls* game since *Skyrim's* initial release over 13 years ago. While fans of all ages eagerly await *The Elder Scrolls VI*, which is still several years away, this remaster offers a chance to experience or revisit a classic.

While I'm thrilled about the remaster, I'm realistic about its impact. Released nearly two decades after its original launch, *Oblivion* might not resonate with today's gamers the way it did in 2006. The landscape of gaming has evolved, with subsequent Bethesda titles like *Fallout 3*, *Skyrim*, *Fallout 4*, and *Starfield* building on *Oblivion's* foundations. Additionally, the visual leap that *Oblivion* represented in the HD era of gaming is less pronounced today, though the remaster undoubtedly enhances the original graphics. Unlike a full remake, which starts from scratch and aims to match current-gen standards, a remaster seeks to modernize an older game for current platforms.

*The Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion* was a game that perfectly encapsulated the right moment in gaming history. It took full advantage of HD televisions and expanded the expectations of what an open-world game could offer, delivering a visual and experiential shock to console gamers accustomed to lower resolution displays. Interestingly, just a month before *Oblivion's* release, *Fight Night Round 3* by EA also made a stunning visual impact.

My memories of *Oblivion* are numerous, reflecting the game's vast world filled with discoveries and adventures. For first-time players, I recommend either rushing through the main quest or saving it until you've explored every side quest and activity. The reason is simple: once you start the main quest, Oblivion gates will begin to spawn and can become a nuisance.

The leap in technology from *Morrowind* to *Oblivion* was groundbreaking and might be unparalleled in the future—unless *The Elder Scrolls 6* surprises us. While *Oblivion Remastered* may not offer the same stark contrast to *Skyrim* that the original did, it still brings back a fully realized medieval fantasy world filled with surprises and adventures. This game remains my favorite in the *Elder Scrolls* series, and I'm thrilled it's back, even if its return was somewhat anticipated.