The advantages that The Elder Scrolls 4: Oblivion Remastered has over its progenitor are myriad, though most of them are limited to the visual realm. There are some helpful tweaks here and there, like slight alterations made to the leveling system and the addition of a sprint function, but the core gameplay of 2006's Oblivion has remained more or less untouched.
But in reality, things are a little bit more complicated. While most gamers split gameplay and graphics into two distinct columns, the fact is that they are more like two sides of the same coin, or two key ingredients mixed into a bigger, more potent concoction. Put another way, graphics can often have a transformative effect on the overall gameplay experience, either indirectly, such as by evoking emotions like fear, suspense, and wonder that augment interactive elements, or directly, when game mechanics are tied to visual stimuli of some sort. In the case of Oblivion Remastered, both of these scenarios apply, but one iconic feature from the original game has been especially elevated thanks to Virtuos' visual upgrades.
Oblivion Remastered's Faithfulness Is a Double-Edged Sword
The Elder Scrolls 4: Oblivion Remastered is a great-looking game, but it still has the spirit of the 2006 original, for better or worse.
Persuasion Is Better Than Ever in Oblivion Remastered
Persuasion Is One of Oblivion's Best Features, Made More Enjoyable Thanks to Better Graphics
Much to the chagrin of many Elder Scrolls fans, persuasion is a minigame that's limited to Oblivion, replaced by a more rudimentary, derivative dialog check system in Skyrim. Through this mechanic, the player can attempt to raise their disposition ranking with any NPC by leveraging four broad-strokes conversation techniques:
- Coerce
- Boast
- Admire
- Joke
Each NPC will like, love, dislike, and hate each one of these conversational techniques, and the player needs to execute each technique throughout the course of a given attempt. The techniques are assembled around a ring divided into four sections, each containing a number of wedges from one to four, and executing a persuasion technique will cause the wedges to rotate around the ring; wedges correlate to how effective each technique is at raising or lowering disposition. The player can tell whether an NPC likes, loves, dislikes, or hates a given technique by looking at their facial expression while hovering over a selection, and it's this aspect of the minigame that is elevated in Oblivion Remastered.
While the original Oblivion's facial animations are serviceable for the purposes of the persuasion minigame, the remaster's enhancements make the experience far more enjoyable overall. It's far easier to, for instance, tell the difference between "like" and "love" when attempting to persuade a character for the first time, which can be especially helpful for novice players who are still learning the ropes. Moreover, like the rest of the remaster, the persuasion game is simply easier on the eyes.
Oblivion Remastered's Facial Animations Make the Persuasion Minigame a More Pleasant Experience
Oblivion Remastered's NPC's may not be perfect, but they are a considerable step up from the original's, which could often be terrifying or unintentionally hilarious, resembling an amateur's attempt at a clay sculpture. Since persuasion is all about watching these NPCs' faces, the remaster's improvements in this regard make for a smoother, less uncomfortable visual experience. It's a small detail, to be sure, but it feeds into the new game's efforts to be more contemporary and aesthetically pleasing.
More than anything, the improvements on display during the persuasion minigame drive home the general high quality of Oblivion Remastered's visuals. Fans of the 2006 original may feel a certain fondness for its outdated, and often bizarre, graphics, but after nearly 20 years, it's nice to see such a seminal RPG looking and moving like a spring chicken again.
-
OpenCritic Reviews
- Top Critic Avg: 82 /100 Critics Rec: 87%
- Released
- April 22, 2025
- ESRB
- Mature 17+ // Blood and Gore, Sexual Themes, Violence
- Publisher(s)
- Bethesda
WHERE TO PLAY
The Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion™ Remastered modernizes the 2006 Game of the Year with all new stunning visuals and refined gameplay. Explore the vast landscape of Cyrodiil like never before and stop the forces of Oblivion from overtaking the land in one of the greatest RPGs ever from the award-winning Bethesda Game Studios.
Rediscover Cyrodiil
Journey through the rich world of Tamriel and battle across the planes of Oblivion where handcrafted details have been meticulously recreated to ensure each moment of exploration is awe-inspiring.
Navigate Your Own Story
From the noble warrior to the sinister assassin, wizened sorcerer, or scrappy blacksmith, forge your path and play the way you want.
Experience an Epic Adventure
Step inside a universe bursting with captivating stories and encounter an unforgettable cast of characters. Master swordcraft and wield powerful magic as you fight to save Tamriel from the Daedric invasion.
The Complete Story
Experience everything Oblivion has to offer with previously released story expansions Shivering Isles, Knights of the Nine, and additional downloadable content included in The Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion Remastered.
- Engine
- Unreal Engine 5
- Franchise
- The Elder Scrolls
- Number of Players
- Single-player
- Steam Deck Compatibility
- Verified
- PC Release Date
- April 22, 2025
- Xbox Series X|S Release Date
- April 22, 2025
- PS5 Release Date
- April 22, 2025
- Genre(s)
- Action, RPG, Open-World, Adventure
- Platform(s)
- Xbox Series X, Xbox Series S, PlayStation 5, PC
- OpenCritic Rating
- Strong
- X|S Optimized
- Yes
- File Size Xbox Series
- 123.2 GB
