Bruce Nesmith, the senior game designer of the original The Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion, has expressed his awe at the work done on Bethesda and Virtuos' Oblivion Remastered. He believes that the term "remaster" might not fully capture the extent of the changes made to the game. In a recent conversation with VideoGamer, Nesmith highlighted the immense effort put into recreating every aspect of Cyrodiil, expressing surprise at how comprehensively the game has been reimagined.
"I was assuming this was going to be a texture update," Nesmith said. "I didn’t really think it was going to be the complete overhaul that they’ve announced it to be... I would not have batted an eye at that. But to completely redo the animations, the animation system, put in the Unreal Engine, change the leveling system, change the user interface. I mean, that’s, you’re touching every part of the game."
Despite no prior official announcement from Bethesda, the surprise release of Oblivion Remastered has left fans impressed with the extensive changes, ranging from visual enhancements to core gameplay modifications. New additions like a sprint mechanic and alterations to the leveling system have led many, including Nesmith, to view the remaster as more of a remake. Nesmith suggested that the project could be considered "Oblivion 2.0," indicating the significant nature of the updates. "That’s a staggering amount of remastering," he remarked. "It almost needs its own word, quite frankly. I’m not sure remaster actually does it justice."
In his discussion, Nesmith attempted to define what he's observed from Oblivion Remastered, labeling it as potentially "Oblivion 2.0." As the community celebrates the revamped game, Bethesda has shared its rationale for naming the re-release. In a recent social media statement, the studio clarified that their goal was not to remake Oblivion but to modernize it while preserving the core experience. "We know many of our longtime fans will be thrilled to revisit Oblivion and the land of Cyrodiil," Bethesda stated. "But there are also so many who have never played it. We can’t thank you enough for all the support you have given us and our games over the years. Our hope with this remaster is, that no matter who you are, when you step out of the Imperial sewer – you feel like you’re experiencing it for the first time."
The Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion Remastered was unexpectedly revealed and released yesterday by Bethesda. Players can now explore the refreshed world of Cyrodiil on PC, PlayStation 5, and Xbox Series X and S. Xbox Game Pass Ultimate subscribers can access it at no additional cost. The modding community has also responded enthusiastically to the surprise launch. For a detailed look at what Oblivion Remastered offers, check out our comprehensive guide, which includes an expansive Interactive Map, complete Walkthroughs for the Main Questline and every Guild Quest, tips on How to Build the Perfect Character, Things to Do First, and much more.
