Ask most gamers who were around during the Xbox 360 era, and despite the notorious Red Ring of Death, many will share fond memories of that time. For Xbox 360 owners, The Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion was a game that created countless such memories. As a former staff member at Official Xbox Magazine, I can personally attest to this. While the port of The Elder Scrolls III: Morrowind to Xbox didn't fully capture my interest, Oblivion captivated me from the start. Originally slated as a day-one launch title for the Xbox 360, Oblivion was the subject of multiple cover stories leading up to its release. The stunning screenshots alone were enough to generate excitement, and I eagerly took every opportunity to visit Bethesda in Rockville, Maryland.

When it came time to review Oblivion—a period when exclusive reviews were the norm—I jumped at the chance once more. I spent four glorious days in a conference room in Bethesda's basement, immersing myself in the vast world of Cyrodiil. Over four consecutive 11-hour days, I lived in this breathtaking, open medieval fantasy world. By the time I left for my flight home, I had logged 44 hours on a submission build of the game, played on an Xbox 360 debug kit. My review for OXM awarded Oblivion a well-deserved 9.5 out of 10, a score I stand by to this day. The game was packed with engaging quests, like the Dark Brotherhood storyline, delightful surprises such as the hidden unicorn, and so much more. However, since I played a pre-release version, I had to start over with the retail copy I purchased.

The Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion Remastered Screenshots

View 6 ImagesI eagerly dove back into The Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion, investing another 130 hours, so it's no surprise that I'm thrilled about its remastering and re-release on modern platforms.

For the younger generation who grew up with Skyrim, the newly released The Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion Remastered represents their first "new" mainline Elder Scrolls game since Skyrim debuted over 13 years ago. I envy these younger gamers for whom Skyrim is their benchmark for the series. While fans across all ages eagerly await The Elder Scrolls VI, which is still likely years away, Oblivion Remastered offers a fresh experience for many.

Though I must admit, *Oblivion* might not strike the same chord with today's gamers as it did for me back in March 2006. It's a two-decade-old game now, and while Bethesda chose to release it this week rather than wait for its 20th anniversary, other games have since built upon its innovations—titles like *Fallout 3*, *Skyrim*, *Fallout 4*, and *Starfield*. Additionally, the visual impact of *Oblivion* isn't as groundbreaking now as it was in 2006, when it was heralded as the first true next-gen game of the HD era. The remaster does look better than the original, but it doesn't stand out as dramatically as it once did. Remasters aim to modernize older games on current platforms, unlike full remakes such as *Resident Evil*, which are built from the ground up to match or surpass contemporary standards.

Which Race Are You Playing As in Oblivion? ------------------------------------------

AltmerArgonianBosmerBretonDunmerImperialKhajiitNordOrcRedguard

AnswerSee Results*The Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion* was the perfect game at the perfect time. It fully utilized HD televisions, expanding the scope and scale of what gamers expected from an open-world game. It was a revelation for console gamers accustomed to 640x480 interlaced visuals. (Although, it's worth noting that just a month before *Oblivion*, EA released *Fight Night Round 3*, which was visually stunning in its own right.) My memories of *Oblivion* are numerous, given the depth and breadth of the world it offered. For those playing *Oblivion* for the first time, here's a tip: either rush through the main quest to seal off the Oblivion gates quickly, or save it for last after exploring all side quests and activities. Once you begin the main storyline, those gates will start spawning and can become a nuisance.

The technological leap from Morrowind to Oblivion might never be replicated, though perhaps The Elder Scrolls 6 could surprise us. However, playing Oblivion Remastered won't feel as revolutionary as it did back then, especially for those accustomed to Skyrim. Yet, whether you're a first-time player or a seasoned veteran, the fully realized medieval fantasy world of Oblivion and its endless surprises and adventures remain unmatched in my eyes. It's my favorite Elder Scrolls game, and I'm ecstatic to see it back, even if its re-release was long anticipated.