Introduction
Few games have left as indelible a mark on the RPG landscape as The Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion. Released to critical acclaim in two thousand and six, it transported players to the richly detailed and politically fraught province of Cyrodiil, a world brimming with possibilities, dangerous creatures, and a captivating main quest. The freedom, the sheer scale, and the unforgettable moments it offered cemented its place as a true classic. For years, fans have clamored for a return, a chance to experience that magic anew, but with the polish and fidelity that modern hardware can provide. Now, with the hypothetical arrival of Oblivion Remastered on the Playstation five, that dream might finally be realized.
Oblivion, at its core, was a groundbreaking role-playing game. Its open-world design allowed for unprecedented player agency, letting you forge your own path and become anything from a noble knight to a shadowy assassin. The diverse guilds, the sprawling dungeons, and the emergent gameplay moments created a truly immersive experience. But the game, while revolutionary for its time, also showed its age in recent years, particularly regarding its visuals and some of its more clunky mechanics.
This review will delve into every aspect of Oblivion Remastered on the Playstation five, examining the visual enhancements, performance improvements, and gameplay updates that have been implemented. We will also assess whether this remaster manages to capture the spirit of the original while addressing its shortcomings. Does it reignite the passion that made Oblivion a legend, or does it fall short of expectations?
Ultimately, Oblivion Remastered on the Playstation five presents a truly remarkable rebirth of a timeless classic. While maintaining the captivating core gameplay, a complete visual overhaul brings the realm of Cyrodiil to life in breathtaking detail, seamlessly blending nostalgia with a modern gaming experience.
A Visual Spectacle Reborn
The visual enhancements in Oblivion Remastered are immediately apparent. Gone are the blurry textures and low-polygon models of the original. The world of Cyrodiil has been meticulously rebuilt, boasting a native four kay resolution that showcases its stunning landscapes in glorious detail. The Imperial City, once a collection of vaguely defined buildings, now stands as a majestic metropolis, with intricate architecture and bustling marketplaces.
The texture quality has been significantly improved across the board. Character models, from the humble farmers of Skingrad to the imposing guards of the Imperial Legion, now feature detailed clothing, realistic skin textures, and expressive facial animations. The environments, too, have received a major upgrade. The lush forests of the Gold Coast, the craggy peaks of the Jerall Mountains, and the murky swamps of Blackwood are all rendered with a level of detail that was simply impossible on previous hardware.
One of the most striking improvements is the lighting. Global illumination breathes new life into dungeons and caverns as dynamic shadows dance across walls, and sunlight filters through the trees to create realistic beams of light. In addition, the implementation of ray tracing brings another layer of realism with reflections rippling across the waters of Lake Rumare.
The infamous character models of the original Oblivion, often the subject of much lighthearted criticism, have received a much-needed overhaul. While retaining their distinct art style, the character models are now significantly more detailed and expressive, breathing new life into the inhabitants of Cyrodiil.
The increased draw distance is another welcome addition. The game world now extends much farther into the distance, reducing pop-in and creating a more seamless and immersive experience. From the top of Cloud Ruler Temple, you can now see the entire province stretched out before you, a truly breathtaking sight.
Comparing screenshots of the original game to Oblivion Remastered is like night and day. The visual overhaul is so substantial that it feels like playing a completely new game. While some might argue that the original’s charm is lost in translation, the enhanced visuals ultimately create a more immersive and engaging experience. Oblivion Remastered successfully strikes the difficult balance of modernizing the game’s presentation without sacrificing its unique art style and atmosphere.
Performance and Technical Prowess
The visual improvements would be for naught if the game suffered from performance issues. Thankfully, Oblivion Remastered runs flawlessly on the Playstation five, targeting a stable sixty frames per second in most situations. This smooth performance significantly enhances the gameplay experience, making combat more responsive and exploration more enjoyable.
Loading times, a common complaint in the original game, have been drastically reduced. Fast travel is now truly fast, and entering buildings or dungeons is nearly instantaneous. This is a significant quality-of-life improvement that makes the game feel much more modern.
While the remaster is mostly bug-free, some minor glitches have surfaced. These are largely remnants from the original release and are easily fixed with an update. Thankfully, the developers are actively addressing any known issues, ensuring a smooth and polished experience for all players.
Oblivion Remastered takes full advantage of the Playstation five’s unique features. The DualSense controller’s haptic feedback provides a more immersive experience, allowing you to feel the impact of your attacks, the rumble of distant thunder, and the subtle vibrations of the environment. The adaptive triggers add another layer of immersion, providing resistance when drawing back a bow or casting a powerful spell. These subtle but effective features draw you deeper into the world of Cyrodiil.
The Playstation five’s Activity Cards are also integrated, providing quick access to specific quests, areas, or challenges. This makes it easy to jump back into the game and pick up where you left off.
The overall technical performance of Oblivion Remastered on the Playstation five is outstanding. The game runs smoothly, loads quickly, and takes full advantage of the console’s unique features, resulting in a polished and enjoyable experience.
Gameplay Preserved, Yet Polished
While the visual and technical improvements are impressive, Oblivion Remastered stays true to the core gameplay of the original. The open-world exploration, the deep character customization, and the branching questlines remain intact. The core gameplay loop of exploring dungeons, fighting monsters, completing quests, and leveling up is still as addictive as ever.
The control scheme has been updated to feel more modern and intuitive. The combat system has been tweaked to be more responsive and satisfying. While it’s still not as fluid as some modern action RPGs, the improvements make combat more enjoyable and less clunky.
The user interface has also been revamped to be more user-friendly. The menus are now easier to navigate, and the inventory system is more organized. These small changes make a big difference in the overall gameplay experience.
Oblivion Remastered includes all the DLC from the original game, including the Knights of the Nine and Shivering Isles expansions. These expansions add dozens of hours of additional content, expanding the world of Cyrodiil and providing even more opportunities for adventure. While some may be disappointed, there is no new content. The goal was to polish what was there without adding in new elements.
The remaster does an excellent job of preserving the essence of the original game while making it more accessible to modern gamers. It’s a nostalgic trip for veterans and a great entry point for newcomers. The game maintains the humor and quirkiness that makes the game a cult classic.
Of course, some aspects of the original game might not appeal to modern gamers. The dialogue can be a bit cheesy at times, and the combat system, while improved, is still not as fluid as some modern action RPGs. However, these are minor quibbles in an otherwise excellent remaster.
A Symphony of Sound
The audio in Oblivion Remastered has also received a significant upgrade. The sound effects are clearer and more detailed, and the music has been remastered to sound richer and more immersive.
The voice acting, while still somewhat quirky, has been cleaned up and enhanced. The iconic voices of Patrick Stewart and Sean Bean sound better than ever, adding gravitas to the game’s narrative.
The soundtrack, composed by Jeremy Soule, is a masterpiece. The remastered soundtrack sounds absolutely stunning, filling the world of Cyrodiil with epic and evocative melodies.
Final Verdict: A Must-Play for Fans and Newcomers Alike
Oblivion Remastered on the Playstation five is a triumph. It takes a classic game and revitalizes it for a new generation. The visual enhancements are stunning, the performance is flawless, and the gameplay is as addictive as ever. While some aspects of the original game might not appeal to modern gamers, the improvements made in this remaster more than make up for any shortcomings.
I award Oblivion Remastered a score of nine point five out of ten.
This remaster is a must-buy for fans of the original game and a great entry point for newcomers. It’s a faithful and respectful update that preserves the essence of Oblivion while making it more accessible and enjoyable for modern gamers. If you’ve ever wanted to experience the magic of Oblivion, now is the perfect time.
Ultimately, Oblivion Remastered proves that some games are truly timeless. This is a game that will stay with you long after you’ve completed the main quest, beckoning you back to the world of Cyrodiil for years to come. It is a triumph of a remaster and an experience that has earned its place in Playstation five’s library.
