After months of rumors and leaks, Bethesda has finally released The Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion Remastered, a comprehensive rebuild of the beloved 2006 RPG. This isn't just a simple resolution upgrade but a substantial overhaul powered by Unreal Engine 5, explaining its surprising USD$50 price point and massive 115GB download size.
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| A majestic armored horse representing the medieval fantasy aesthetics of The Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion Remastered |
Surprise Release After Months of Speculation
What was expected to be just an announcement turned into a surprise launch during Bethesda's reveal stream on April 22, 2025. The company had teased the announcement with a post featuring a prominent IV against a background resembling classic Oblivion artwork. Despite the intended surprise, months of leaks had already prepared fans for the remake's existence, including documents from the FTC vs. Microsoft trial that mentioned an Oblivion remaster planned for fiscal year 2022, and more recent leaks from support studio Virtuos showing images of the remake in action.
Comprehensive Visual Overhaul
The remaster represents a significant visual upgrade that borders on being a full remake. Bethesda and development partner Virtuos have implemented a new real-time lighting system using Unreal Engine 5's capabilities. Every asset has been redesigned from scratch, including character models, landscapes, and animations. The game also features new lip-sync technology for NPC voice lines and additional ambient details like insects and fish to enhance immersion. The user interface has been completely redesigned for modern sensibilities while maintaining the classic Oblivion experience.
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| A dark-armored knight before a fiery gate, showcasing the dramatic visual upgrades in Oblivion Remastered |
Technical Architecture and Gameplay
Developers described the technical approach as using the Oblivion game engine as the brain and Unreal 5 as the body, suggesting they've preserved the core gameplay systems while dramatically enhancing the presentation. This approach seems to have maintained the authentic Oblivion experience beneath the visual upgrades, keeping the game's distinctive character intact. The command console remains accessible with many original console commands still functional, though existing mods will require adjustments to work with the remastered version.
Content and Pricing Structure
The remastered package includes the base game with all visual and interface improvements, along with all the original DLCs including the major expansions Shivering Isles and Knights of the Nine. The standard edition is available for USD$50/£50, while a deluxe edition priced at USD$60/£60 includes exclusive armor, weapons, and—in a nod to Oblivion's infamous paid DLC history—horse armor. Despite the relatively high price for a remaster, the game immediately shot to the top of Steam's best sellers list upon release.
System Requirements
The substantial visual upgrades come with correspondingly demanding system requirements. The recommended specifications call for an AMD Ryzen 5 3600X or Intel Core i5 10600K processor, 32GB of RAM, and either an AMD Radeon RX 6800 XT or Nvidia RTX 2080 graphics card. Players will also need to free up 125GB of storage space, making this remaster over 25 times larger than the original 2006 release.
Availability
The Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion Remastered is now available on Steam and through Xbox Game Pass. The release comes at a time when Bethesda fans are still awaiting news about The Elder Scrolls VI, making this substantial remaster a welcome addition to tide players over during the long wait for the next mainline entry in the franchise.
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| Exploring the immersive world of Oblivion Remastered, featuring stunning environments filled with history and adventure |