"Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion Designer Praises Bethesda's Impressive Remaster as 'Oblivion 2.0'"

The Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion senior game designer Bruce Nesmith has expressed awe at Bethesda and Virtuos' work on the Oblivion Remastered, suggesting that the term "remaster" might not fully encapsulate the scope of the project. In a recent interview with VideoGamer, Nesmith praised the dedication that went into revitalizing every aspect of Cyrodiil, highlighting the surprise and excitement around the game's extensive reimagining.

“I was expecting just a texture update,” Nesmith admitted. “But what they’ve announced and delivered is a complete overhaul. From redoing the animations and the animation system to integrating the Unreal Engine, revamping the leveling system, and redesigning the user interface, they’ve touched every part of the game.”

Despite no official word from Bethesda prior to the surprise launch yesterday, the Oblivion Remastered has garnered widespread acclaim from fans for its extensive changes. These range from surface-level visual enhancements to significant gameplay adjustments. New features such as a sprint mechanic and alterations to the leveling system have led many, including Nesmith, to view the project as more of a remake than a mere remaster.

“It’s such a staggering amount of remastering,” Nesmith remarked. “It almost requires its own term. I’m not sure ‘remaster’ does it justice.” He further suggested that the closest classification might be “Oblivion 2.0.”

As fans celebrate the efforts poured into Oblivion Remastered, Bethesda shared its perspective on the naming of this RPG re-release. In a social media statement, the studio clarified that their goal was not to remake Oblivion but 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 read. “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 revealed and released as a shadow drop from Bethesda. It’s now available on PC, PlayStation 5, and Xbox Series X and S, with Xbox Game Pass Ultimate subscribers enjoying it at no additional cost. The modding community has also responded enthusiastically to the surprise launch, further revitalizing the Elder Scrolls community.

For those eager to dive into the reimagined world of Cyrodiil, we offer a comprehensive guide covering everything in 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.