Ask most gamers who were around during the Xbox 360 era, and despite the infamous Red Ring of Death, many will share fond memories of that time. For countless Xbox 360 owners, including myself, The Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion was a cornerstone of those memories. Back then, I worked at Official Xbox Magazine, and while the port of The Elder Scrolls III: Morrowind to Xbox didn't quite capture my interest, Oblivion immediately did. Originally slated as a launch title for the Xbox 360, Oblivion was a game that we at OXM couldn't stop talking about. We featured it on multiple covers leading up to its release, with the stunning screenshots leaving us all in awe. Eager to dive deeper, I volunteered for every trip to Bethesda's headquarters in Rockville, Maryland.

When it came time to review Oblivion, in an era where exclusive reviews were the norm, I jumped at the opportunity once again. I returned to Rockville and spent four glorious days—11 hours each—in a conference room in Bethesda's basement, fully immersed in the breathtaking world of Cyrodiil. By the time I left for home, I had already invested 44 hours into the game, leading to my enthusiastic 9.5 out of 10 review in OXM. Oblivion was a masterpiece, packed with captivating quests like the Dark Brotherhood, unexpected discoveries such as the legendary unicorn, and so much more. Playing on a submission build at Bethesda meant starting over once I got my retail copy, but that didn't deter me from dedicating another 130 hours to the game. Naturally, I'm thrilled that it has been remastered and re-released for modern platforms.

The Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion Remastered Screenshots

View 6 Images

For gamers who grew up with Skyrim, the newly released The Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion Remastered represents their first "new" mainline Elder Scrolls experience since Skyrim's debut over a decade ago. I envy these younger players for whom Skyrim is their benchmark for the franchise. As we all eagerly await The Elder Scrolls VI, which is still several years away, this remaster offers a fresh adventure.

However, I must admit that Oblivion might not have the same impact on today's gamers as it did for me back in March 2006. It's now a two-decade-old game, and while Bethesda deserves credit for re-releasing it now rather than waiting another year for its 20th anniversary, the gaming landscape has evolved. Games like Fallout 3, Skyrim, Fallout 4, and Starfield have built upon Oblivion's foundation. Additionally, the visual impact of the remaster, while improved, doesn't stand out as dramatically as it did in 2006, when it was arguably the first true next-gen game of the HD era. Remasters aim to modernize older games for current platforms, contrasting with full remakes like Resident Evil, which start from scratch and aim to be on par with or surpass current market standards.

The Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion was the perfect game at the perfect time. It fully utilized the power of HD televisions and expanded the possibilities of open-world gaming, delivering a visual and experiential shock to console gamers accustomed to lower resolutions. (Incidentally, just before Oblivion's release, EA's Fight Night Round 3 also pushed graphical boundaries.)

My memories of Oblivion are vivid, filled with countless discoveries and adventures. For those experiencing Oblivion for the first time, I recommend either rushing through the main quest to minimize the annoyance of Oblivion gates or saving it for last after exploring all side quests and activities. The technological leap from Morrowind to Oblivion was monumental, and while The Elder Scrolls 6 might eventually offer something similar, playing Oblivion Remastered today won't feel as revolutionary as it did back then. Nevertheless, whether you're a first-time player or a seasoned veteran, the fully realized medieval fantasy world of Oblivion, with its surprises and adventures, remains my favorite in the Elder Scrolls series. I'm delighted it's back, even if its return was long anticipated.