The Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion Remastered (2025): The Review

Overview

The 2025 remake of The Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion is a lovingly crafted return to one of Bethesda’s most iconic RPGs. Rebuilt with modern visuals and gameplay enhancements while keeping its quirky charm intact, this remake brings Cyrodiil back to life for both longtime fans and curious newcomers. While some of its older systems show their age, even with a fresh coat of paint, the sense of wonder, freedom, and nostalgic adventure remains as potent as ever.

Score: 8 out of 10

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The Positives ✅

The Oblivion remake doesn’t just polish up an old gem, it brings Cyrodiil to life in a way that feels both fresh and nostalgic. From the sun-soaked vineyards of Skingrad to the eerie glow of Oblivion gates, the world is gorgeous and brimming with atmosphere. Combat and magic have also been completely overhauled, gone is the floaty slap-fest of old, replaced with tight, punchy mechanics that make every sword swing and fireball feel satisfying.

NPCs? Still a little quirky (wouldn’t be Oblivion otherwise), but now they move and react with way more believability. The full voice acting rework is a game-changer, no more “one voice per race” immersion-breaking nonsense. Add in a modern UI, some much-needed quality-of-life updates, and the fact that the game preserves its glorious weirdness, you’ve got a remake that honors the original while making it way more playable in 2025.

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The Negatives ⚠️

For all its shine, this Oblivion remake still drags a few old skeletons out of the closet. Some of the dated design quirks, like awkward level-scaling and clunky skill progression, stick out, even after tweaks. And while character models are a major glow-up, the facial animations haven’t quite caught up, occasionally veering into uncanny valley territory during dialogue.

Performance-wise, expect a few hiccups, especially when entering towns or warping into Oblivion realms, stutters and load times can break the immersion. And while the heavy hitters like the Dark Brotherhood and Daedric quests still slap, a chunk of side content leans too hard into fetch-quest filler. Lastly, if you were hoping for a full-on reinvention, temper those expectations, this is a faithful upgrade, not a bold new vision.

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The Experience 🎮

The Oblivion remake is a loving, beautifully weird time machine. It updates just enough to feel modern and smooth, but wisely refuses to sand off the quirky edges that made the original so iconic. Yes, the systems creak a bit. Yes, the NPCs are still awkward. But that’s part of the magic. This is a game that doesn’t chase trends, it celebrates its identity, flaws and all.

Whether you’re chasing Nirnroot, closing Oblivion gates, or just watching the sunset outside Skingrad, this remake reminds you why Oblivion meant so much. With a main story clocking in around 40 hours, and 80+ if you’re aiming to do it all, this is a sprawling fantasy that rewards curiosity, chaos, and the joy of picking a direction and just going.

Step out of that sewer, look to the horizon, and once again ask yourself: “What do I want to do today?” 🛡️🧙‍♂️🌄