Nearly two decades after its original release, The Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion has returned—this time rebuilt from the ground up. Bethesda has officially unveiled Oblivion Remastered, developed in collaboration with Virtuos, and made it available immediately on Steam, PlayStation 5, and Xbox Series X/S. The re-release is priced at $49.99 and is also accessible to Xbox Game Pass subscribers.
Though labeled a “remaster,” the project is effectively a full remake. Rebuilt entirely in Unreal Engine 5, Oblivion Remastered features thoroughly updated assets, environments, and character models, offering a vastly different visual experience compared to the original 2006 game. Every texture, animation, and environmental detail has been redone from scratch, with more realistic shadows and improved lighting effects that better suit modern hardware.
This new version includes both of the original game’s expansions—Knights of the Nine and Shivering Isles—bundled in by default. But the changes go well beyond graphics. Core gameplay systems have been overhauled, including an updated leveling system that blends mechanics from both Skyrim and Oblivion, along with reworked UI elements, enemy scaling, and tweaks to non-combat skills and encumbrance.
Bethesda and Virtuos have also introduced sprinting—a first for Oblivion—and modernized the third-person view to feel more responsive by today’s standards. Lip sync technology has been improved thanks to Unreal Engine 5’s capabilities, and systems like Persuasion and Clairvoyance have received interface improvements. The heads-up display, in-game menus, and map layouts have all been redesigned to make the experience more accessible and intuitive.
Despite these updates, Bethesda insists that the soul of the game remains intact. According to project director Tom Mustaine, the goal was to preserve the original’s sense of exploration and world-building while making the systems and visuals more approachable for current-generation players.
For those looking for a little more, a Deluxe Edition is also available, bundling in additional quests, cosmetic armor sets, a digital artbook, and the game’s remastered soundtrack.
The release of Oblivion Remastered follows earlier leaks, some of which surfaced during regulatory proceedings tied to Microsoft’s acquisition of Activision Blizzard. These documents hinted at additional remaster projects in the pipeline, including potential updates to Fallout 3 and another installment in the Dishonored franchise.
While Oblivion may not have the mainstream recognition of Skyrim, it holds a distinct place in RPG history—and its return in 2025 offers both longtime fans and newcomers a chance to revisit one of Bethesda’s most expansive and experimental worlds, now seen through a modern lens.
