Bethesda games have never been known for having particularly fancy graphics, butThe Elder Scrolls 4: Oblivion Remasteredis quite the looker. Though it’s often overshadowed byits best-selling younger siblingSkyrim, whose Scandinavian-inspired landscapes have become synonymous with the identity of modernElder Scrolls,Oblivion’s setting is inspired and striking, and it has never looked better than in this face-lifted remake.
UnlikeSkyrim, which is centered on the harshness and Spartan lifestyles of the Nordic race,The Elder Scrolls 4: Oblivion Remasteredhones in on the pastoral beauty of the countryside. Exploration is a decidedly peaceful experience, but is nevertheless evocative, and this is as true in the originalOblivionas it is in the remake. But it’s undeniable that 2006’sOblivionis rather dated from a visual perspective, even if its bloom-drenched, overly saturated environments do carry a certain charm. Though there were concerns that the remaster would spoil this old-school charm, that’s not the case at all:Oblivion Remasteredpresents the definitive version of Cyrodiil, and it’s a veritable piece of eye candy that will make even the most jaded gamers experience a sense of wonder as they traipse through its fields, forests, and rolling hills.
Oblivion Remastered Presents Cyrodil the Way It Deserves
Cyrodiil Looks Better Than Ever in Oblivion Remastered
Separated from Skyrim by the Jerall Mountains,Cyrodiil’s visual identityis decidedly different from that of its northern cousin. Whereas Skyrim is cold and hardy, Cyrodiil is lush, vibrant, and seemingly teeming with life. Its mild climate allows for a greater degree of delicate plant and animal life, quite unlike the frosty tundras of Tamriel’s northern regions, not to mention the hot, arid expanses of Morrowind. The originalObliviondepicted these unique natural landscapes with the help of heavy bloom and unnaturally bright, cool colors, which was an effective strategy at the time, butOblivion Remasteredoffers a softer touch.
WhenOblivion Remastered’s screenshots first leaked, some fans expressed concerns about the game’s relatively muted color palette. These concerns weren’t totally unfounded, as there have been plenty of examples of remasters and remakes that sacrifice style in favor of graphical fidelity and realism. But this isn’t the case withOblivion Remastered, which is merely more subtle than the original, not less impactful or stylish. In fact, the lack of bloom and extreme saturation make Cyrodiil’s natural vistas and cities more striking, as strong colors are much more prominent due to the comparably duller colors elsewhere. This goes hand in hand with the greater level of detail inOblivion Remastered, which breathes new life into its environments rather than suffocating them in realism.
This is to say nothing of the more dramatically stylized parts of the game,like the Planes of Oblivion. These ethereal, horrifying locations are more evocative than ever inOblivion Remastered, which uses modern lighting and visual effects to create a darker, more dynamic, disturbing atmosphere. The graphical enhancements go a long way toward elevating the Giger-inspired architecture of these hellish locales, as its structures are able to look far more grotesque and flesh-like.
Lighting and VFX do a lot of heavy lifting inOblivion Remastered, generally speaking. Sunlight and moonlight illuminate the environment in myriad ways, replacing the ubiquitous bloom effects of the original with more varied reflections, filtered light, and individual rays, thereby creating a more vivid, dense, rich atmosphere for players to soak in. Beyond simply looking pretty, this allowsOblivion Remasteredto present a vision of Cyrodiilthat is more emotionally affecting, tickling sensations of fear, awe, wonder, and whimsy in ways that the original’s more archaic visual style never could.
The Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion Remastered
WHERE TO PLAY
The Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion™ Remastered modernizes the 2006 Game of the Year with all new stunning visuals and refined gameplay. Explore the vast landscape of Cyrodiil like never before and stop the forces of Oblivion from overtaking the land in one of the greatest RPGs ever from the award-winning Bethesda Game Studios.Rediscover CyrodiilJourney through the rich world of Tamriel and battle across the planes of Oblivion where handcrafted details have been meticulously recreated to ensure each moment of exploration is awe-inspiring.Navigate Your Own StoryFrom the noble warrior to the sinister assassin, wizened sorcerer, or scrappy blacksmith, forge your path and play the way you want.Experience an Epic AdventureStep inside a universe bursting with captivating stories and encounter an unforgettable cast of characters. Master swordcraft and wield powerful magic as you fight to save Tamriel from the Daedric invasion.The Complete StoryExperience everything Oblivion has to offer with previously released story expansions Shivering Isles, Knights of the Nine, and additional downloadable content included in The Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion Remastered.
