Oblivion Remastered First Impressions: Bethesda Actually Did It

Eleven hours in, and I’m delighted to report: Oblivion Remastered is not only real—it’s good. Like, “accidentally play until 3AM and forget to eat” good.

Bethesda, against all odds (and jokes), may have just pulled off one of the best remasters in RPG history.

Here’s what we’ve experienced so far, and why we’re surprisingly confident that they didn’t just slap new textures on an old bugfest—they reforged it with love, chaos, and just enough jank to keep the soul intact.

It Feels Like Oblivion — But Glorious

Yes, the potato-faced NPCs have evolved. No, they haven’t lost their charm. Everyone looks more… alive. Less like mannequins possessed by other-worldy sentience.

The towns are stunning, but it’s the sheer scale of the landscape that steals the show—rolling hills and distant mountains stretch out so far and beautifully, I caught myself whispering “whoa” admittedly more often than I was expecting.

Combat: Just Feels Right

Blocking feels like you’re holding a shield, not a piece of cardboard. Spells cast smoothly, bows have weight, and melee finally has impact.

It’s still not Elden Ring—but it’s no longer two mannequins slapping each other with wet mops. That’s progress, baby.

Inventory: Could Be Better, Mods Will Fix

Look, it’s better than it was. That’s already a win.

It’s functional, it’s fine, and let’s be honest—the modders are already working on it.

Dungeon Crawling: Genuinely Creepy (In a Good Way)

Caves and ruins used to be just XP farms with bad lighting and bandits yelling “What’s that?” into the void. Now? They’re actually intimidating.

The new lighting creates pitch-black corners and flickering torchlight that makes you paranoid. Enemy footsteps echo around you.

For the first time in Cyrodiil, I actually felt nervous turning a corner in a dungeon. And I loved it.

It’s Still Hilarious (Sometimes On Purpose)

Oblivion’s signature awkward charm is fully intact—just shinier. The stiff animations, offbeat timing, and wonderfully weird dialogue haven’t been erased—they’ve been refined, like someone buffed the jank with a loving cloth.

The devs clearly understood that part of what made Oblivion beloved wasn’t just the ambition—it was the accidental comedy. And now, with smoother animations and crisper audio, the awkward guard conversations and dramatic zoom-in stares hit harder than ever.

It’s the same old Cyrodiil, but in HD—and the absurdity is gloriously intentional this time around.

The Verdict (So Far)

Eleven hours in, and I’m fully immersed—wandering through forests, creeping through moody dungeons, getting sidetracked by every locked door and strange shrine I stumble across. The world pulls you in and refuses to let go.

This is the Oblivion we loved—remastered with care, humor, and just enough chaos to feel like home.

If the next 50 hours are anything like the first 11, this might just be the best remaster I’ve experienced yet. And honestly? It was worth the wait.