Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion Remaster Dubbed 'Oblivion 2.0' by Designer

The Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion senior game designer Bruce Nesmith expressed his awe over Bethesda and Virtuos' Oblivion Remastered, stating it's so impressive that labeling it a mere remaster seems insufficient. Nesmith, who played a pivotal role in creating the original 2006 RPG, shared his thoughts during a recent discussion with VideoGamer. He highlighted the immense effort poured into recreating Cyrodiil, making the extent of the remastering even more surprising.

“I thought it would just be a texture update,” Nesmith admitted. “I didn’t expect the complete overhaul they’ve announced. Changing animations, the animation system, switching to the Unreal Engine, altering the leveling system, and tweaking the user interface—it’s like they’ve touched every aspect of the game.”

Although Bethesda didn’t announce Oblivion Remastered beforehand, fans have been impressed by the extensive changes, from minor visual updates to significant gameplay adjustments. Features like a new sprint mechanic and modifications to the leveling system have led many to view it less as a remaster and more as a remake, a perspective Nesmith shares.

“This goes beyond a traditional remaster,” he noted. “It’s almost like Oblivion 2.0. The amount of work is staggering and might require a new term entirely.”

In response to fan curiosity, Bethesda explained their approach to naming the re-release. They emphasized preserving the original experience while modernizing it for new players, warts and all. The studio expressed excitement for both veteran fans revisiting Cyrodiil and newcomers experiencing it for the first time.

Meanwhile, fans are weighing in on which Bethesda RPG deserves similar remaster attention. Options range from The Elder Scrolls: Arena to Fallout 4. For now, Oblivion Remastered is available on PC, PlayStation 5, and Xbox Series X/S, with Xbox Game Pass Ultimate subscribers getting it at no extra cost. Comprehensive guides covering everything from the interactive map to character builds are also available for those eager to dive in.