Few RPG franchises are as revered asThe Elder Scrolls, an IP that is arguably responsible for the majority of Bethesda Game Studios' modern success and legacy. Fans are still eagerly, and somewhat wearily,awaiting more news aboutThe Elder Scrolls 6, but there may be some other series news to whet their appetites in the meantime.
For a while now, there have been rumblings about a potential remake ofThe Elder Scrolls 4: Oblivion, the 2006 entry that preceded the record-shatteringSkyrim.Oblivionwas cutting-edge at the time of its release, providing a vast and detailed fantasy adventure, the likes of which had never been seen before. Indeed, many fans have even argued that the much more popularSkyrimis actually a step down fromOblivion, as the latter has more in-depth role-playing and build-crafting systems, among other strengths. Regardless of one’s opinion aboutOblivionin comparison to its successor, though, it’s hard to deny the impact that it has had on the games industry, and a re-release of some sort seems long overdue.
An Elder Scrolls 4: Oblivion Remake Announcement Could Be Around the Corner
Oblivion Remake Rumors, Explained
Rumors about anOblivionremakehave been making the rounds for quite some time now, but the most recent claims allege that the project will be unveiled in January. Unfortunately, the scale and scope of this remake have not been detailed by any of these rumors. In other words, it’s unclear whether it will aim for the ground-up reimagining of something like theResident Evilremakes, or a more cosmetic enhancement akin to this year’sDead Rising Deluxe Remaster.
Regardless, the prospect of learning more about such a project is tantalizing, and while all leaks and rumors should be taken with a grain of salt, it’s worth noting that many sources believe Xbox is planning some sort of showcase in January. This would track with the company’s recent history, as both January 2022 and January 2023 saw major Microsoft reveals.
Given Xbox’s recent multiplatform push, it’s likely that this potentialOblivionremake will come to PS5as well as Xbox and PC. However, since the originalOblivionwas cross-platform, this shouldn’t be seen as too surprising.
Why an Oblivion Remake Is Exciting
As previously mentioned,Oblivionis often considered to be superiorin many ways to its younger sibling,Skyrim. At the same time, it’s a game that is incredibly and obviously dated in many respects, from its stiff character animations to its rough voice acting to its myriad glitches.
Skyrimis arguably quite dated at this point as well, but far less so, mainly as a result of regular re-releases and remasters, not to mention a dedicated modding community.Oblivionhas not received such preservative treatment, and one could make the case that Bethesda should make up for all the time it’s spent languishing in antiquity.
What an Oblivion Remake Should Highlight
Speaking more broadly, anOblivionremake could serve as a great opportunityfor Bethesda Game Studios to address some of its biggest criticisms. Following the release ofStarfield, and evenFallout 4before it, the developer has been lambasted for its outdated engine, poor optimization, and lack of polish when it comes to various visual and technical elements.
How justified these critiques are is a matter of debate, but an ambitious remaster of one of the best Western RPGs ever made, boasting revamped visuals, performance, and more, could renew confidence in the studio, showing what it’s capable of. Even if another developer handles the remake, it could serve as a nice amuse-bouche forThe Elder Scrolls 6, giving audiences a taste of what to expect.
