The Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion Remastered [Xbox Series X|S] | REVIEW

The Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion Remastered is a love letter to a classic RPG, whilst also acting as a reminder that some games truly do manage to stand the test of time… mostly. Sure, the shiny coat of paint and streamlined systems help, but it also maintains the alluring sense of adventure, the timeless charm, and, of course, all of the jank, that made it so beloved so many years ago.

Check out some screenshots down below:

From the moment you emerge from the sewers beneath the Imperial City and step into the sprawling land of Cyrodiil, the sheer scale of the adventure in front of you hits hard – especially if you’re returning to the game after a long time away (I haven’t played it since its original release on the Xbox 360 so this felt pretty special). Whether you’re chasing the main quest or getting side-tracked by dungeon diving, faction politics, or even arena combat, The Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion Remastered quickly reaffirms why this game was so beloved to begin with. The world is rich with things to do, offering near-limitless freedom to shape your adventure, and that freedom remains one of its strongest features.

The visual overhaul is the most significant improvement made here, with the game now running in Unreal Engine 5. Whilst some may not appreciate the more realistic and less vibrant tone, there’s no doubting that it looks significantly better than the original game, with lush landscapes, sharper textures, and much-improved lighting that help give Cyrodiil a vivid and inviting atmosphere. Character models have also been updated, with the unattractive melted-looking faces a thing of the past. Don’t get me wrong, you’d have seen better faces and character models in other modern releases, but they’re still a massive improvement that really emphasise the effort that has been made in this remastered release.

Performance on the Xbox Series X is solid for the most part too, with load times vastly improved and the game running smoothly in most areas. That said, some hiccups persist with the occasional framerate dips, whilst the presence of long-standing bugs (including quest glitches and physics oddities) will remind players that this remaster is built on a very old (and often shaky) foundation. These flaws aren’t game-breaking, but they do stand out when you consider just how much effort was made to tart up other aspects of the experience.

“The Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion Remastered isn’t perfect, but it doesn’t need to be – it’s a faithful revival that respects the original whilst making it far more approachable in 2025.“

One of the most impactful changes comes in the form of a revised levelling system. In the original game, levelling too many non-combat major skills could lead to punishing encounters with over-powered enemies, but the remaster addresses this by allowing both major and minor skills to contribute to overall level progression (albeit with major skills simply levelling faster). This small but smart tweak makes character growth more intuitive and forgiving, allowing your progression through the game to feel more natural and rewarding without forcing you to turn down the difficulty.

There are other thoughtful additions as well. Sprinting – an obvious feature by today’s standards – is finally included, whilst quality-of-life improvements such as a cleaner HUD and improved menu navigation make a real difference. All of this helps makes The Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion Remastered feel more accessible to new players, but with improvements that don’t completely change how the game feels for long-time players who want that sense of familiarity.

The freedom of choice remains the heart of The Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion Remastered. Whether you’re becoming the head of the Mages’ Guild, joining the infamous Dark Brotherhood (which still stands out as one of the best questlines in any RPG), or simply venturing through the Oblivion Gates, the number of options available to players is staggering. Few RPGs offer this much flexibility in how you approach both the world and its systems, and with The Elders Scrolls VI seemingly far away, it’s nice to have something a bit fresh to experience.

Check out some screenshots down below:

However, it is worth noting that despite the polish, the core gameplay still feels very much of its time. Combat lacks the weight and feedback seen in more modern action RPGs, with melee hits feeling floaty and magic not quite delivering the visceral satisfaction you’d expect in 2025. Dungeon design is also repetitive, many interior spaces feel similar, and the Oblivion Gates, whilst iconic, actually felt more monotonous than I remember. Some players’ standards will have raised over the years, and whilst The Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion Remastered may look the part, the gameplay doesn’t always match it.

Fortunately, the game’s pacing, story variety, and sheer volume of quality content help mask these shortcomings. The main quest, which revolves around closing the gates to the Daedric Realm and finding the rightful heir to the throne, is still engaging throughout, though it’s in the side quests and faction storylines where Oblivion shines brightest. Need I mention again how The Dark Brotherhood arc remains one of the most memorable questlines in RPG history? No?

The remaster also includes both major expansions, Knights of the Nine and Shivering Isles, by default – a welcome addition that adds dozens of hours of extra gameplay. These expansions still hold up, with Shivering Isles standing out thanks to its bizarre world and distinctive tone. But more importantly, what the remaster does best is walk a fine line between modernization and preservation. It enhances what needed updating without stripping away the quirky soul that made the original so beloved. It still feels like Oblivion felt all those years ago, but now, players get to experience it like it was a game that could have released in 2025 – albeit with its imperfections intact.

Developer: Bethesda Game Studios, Virtuous
Publisher: Bethesda Softworks
Platform(s): PlayStation 5 (Reviewed), Xbox Series X|S, PC
Website: https://elderscrolls.bethesda.net/en-EU/oblivion-remastered