"Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion Remaster Impresses Designer, Dubbed 'Oblivion 2.0'"

Bruce Nesmith, the senior game designer behind the original The Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion, has expressed his awe at the work done on Bethesda and Virtuos' Oblivion Remastered. In a recent interview with VideoGamer, Nesmith shared that the term "remaster" might not fully capture the extent of the changes made to the game. He highlighted the immense effort, or "blood, sweat, and tears," that went into the original creation of Cyrodiil, making the comprehensive reimagining of Oblivion even more surprising.

"I was assuming this was going to be a texture update," Nesmith remarked. "I didn’t really think it was going to be the complete overhaul that they’ve announced it to be... I would not have batted an eye at that. But to completely redo the animations, the animation system, put in the Unreal Engine, change the leveling system, change the user interface. I mean, that’s, you’re touching every part of the game."

Despite no official announcement from Bethesda prior to its launch, the community has been overwhelmingly positive about the myriad of changes in Oblivion Remastered. From subtle visual enhancements to significant gameplay modifications, including a new sprint mechanic and alterations to the leveling system, many fans feel that the game is more of a remake than a remaster. Nesmith himself seems to agree, suggesting that the term "remaster" might not do justice to the extensive work done.

"The closest that could come [to categorising it] is Oblivion 2.0," Nesmith stated. "That’s a staggering amount of remastering. It almost needs its own word, quite frankly. I’m not sure remaster actually does it justice."

In his discussion, Nesmith also tried to encapsulate his impressions of Oblivion Remastered, labeling it as "Oblivion 2.0." As fans celebrate the dedication poured into this project, Bethesda has provided insight into their naming decision for this RPG re-release. In a social media statement, the studio clarified that they "never wanted to remake" Oblivion but aimed to preserve the beloved experience while updating it for a new audience, "warts and all."

"We know many of our longtime fans will be thrilled to revisit Oblivion and the land of Cyrodiil," Bethesda's statement continued. "But there are also so many who have never played it. We can’t thank you enough for all the support you have given us and our games over the years. Our hope with this remaster is, that no matter who you are, when you step out of the Imperial sewer – you feel like you’re experiencing it for the first time."

The Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion Remastered was unexpectedly released yesterday, available on PC, PlayStation 5, and Xbox Series X and S. Xbox Game Pass Ultimate subscribers can enjoy it at no additional cost. The modding community has responded enthusiastically to this surprise launch, further invigorating the Elder Scrolls community.

For those eager to dive into the revamped world of Cyrodiil, we offer a comprehensive guide to Oblivion Remastered. This includes an expansive Interactive Map, complete Walkthroughs for the Main Questline and every Guild Quest, tips on How to Build the Perfect Character, Things to Do First, and much more.