After a long awaited 19 years, an internet sensation has re-emerged. Bethesda has finally dropped a remaster of the most iconic RPGs of all time, “The Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion.” In just its first week of release, it has surpassed 4 million players, making it one of the biggest successes of 2025.
This remaster brings new life to a game that was already groundbreaking upon its original release. After the massive success of “Morrowind” in 2002, Bethesda began working on the next entry in the Elder Scrolls series. “Oblivion” was envisioned as a significant leap forward in both gameplay and technology.
One of the most celebrated aspects of “Oblivion” is the sheer volume of content. It’s widely praised for its immersive, open-ended world that encourages exploration and experimentation. Players can choose their own path when exploring the vast and diverse land. The game has plenty of unique interactions with the characters in the game, character driven narratives, and diverse quests. Additionally, “Oblivion’s” character-building system allows for an endless amount of creativity for character builds, adding a layer of replayability and fun.
The story takes place in Tamriel, specifically in the province of Cyrodiil, which is the heart of the Empire. You play as a prisoner who accidentally gets caught up in a world-changing event. The game starts with you escaping prison and witnessing a crazy event. The Emperor of Tamriel, Uriel Septim VII gets assassinated. But before he dies, he gives you a task to find his hidden son, Martin Septim, who’s the last living heir to the throne.
That mission becomes all the more urgent as chaos begins to spread. With the Emperor dead, Mehrunes Dagon, a powerful evil god from another realm called “Oblivion,” starts opening portals all over Cyrodiil. These gates (portals) allow for dangerous forces to invade the world. Cities start to burn, and people are dying, everything is in chaos.
In the midst of all this, your character rises to fame. After saving the town by closing an “Oblivion” Gate, you are known as the Hero of Kvatch. You are given the amulet of kings by the emperor which could be used to close the gates of “Oblivion” by a blood-related member of the Emperor, Martin Septim.
Beyond the main storyline, what truly sets “Oblivion” apart is its open world. It is not just a backdrop for a story; it has a dynamic environment that reacts to the player’s actions and choices. There is an included reputation system that affects how NPC’s view you, leading to unique opportunities or challenges.
As someone who grew up playing Skyrim, I couldn’t help but compare the two. I remember when I first started playing the game on the ps3 back in 2013 and was completely captivated. Since Skyrim is the fifth entry in the series and “Oblivion” is the fourth, I immediately noticed the similarities in design, storytelling, and atmosphere when starting the remaster.
In fact, I had never even heard of “Oblivion” until the remastered trailer dropped. Once I saw it, I was hooked on what they had to offer. I got “Oblivion Remastered” when it came out on April 22. Ever since then it has been a game that I come back to. Just like the memories I made exploring Skyrim, I’m now creating new ones in Cyrodiil.
Now that I’ve logged several hours into the game, I can confidently say that “Oblivion’s” gameplay style really resonates with me. The balance between freedom and structure, the diverse amount of quests, and charm of the world make it stand out. As Alex Moore, a junior, put it, “I never played the original ‘Oblivion,’ so I wasn’t sure what to expect, but this remastered version really blew me away. The world feels massive and alive, and the freedom you have as a player is incredible.”
Zachary Nguyen, another junior and first-time player shared a similar experience, “I’ve always heard people talk about “Oblivion” as one of the greatest RPGs and when the remastered version came out, I figured it was the perfect time to finally give it a shot. I’m into games with deep stories and open- world exploration, and this checked all the boxes.”
With its rich lore, compelling story and freedom to play your own way, “Oblivion” Remastered has reignited the passion of longtime fans and captured the imagination of a new generation of players. Whether you’re exploring Cyrodiil for the first time or revisiting it with fresh eyes, this remaster proves that great games can stand the test of time. As more players dive into its vast world, “Oblivion” continues to remind us why it’s considered one of the greatest RPGs ever made.
