Rating: 6.5/10

When Oblivion Remastered was announced, fans of the Elder Scrolls series rejoiced. The iconic 2006 classic, known for its sweeping landscapes, chaotic NPC dialogue, and open-ended roleplaying, was finally getting the visual and mechanical update it deserved—or so we thought.

The Good: A Fresh Coat of Paint

Graphically, Oblivion Remastered shines. Cyrodiil has never looked better. The upgraded lighting, reworked textures, and improved draw distances breathe new life into the game's aging visuals. The Imperial City gleams, forested paths feel dense and mysterious, and the Daedric planes are more hellish than ever.

For those looking to relive their teenage adventures in Tamriel, there's a nostalgia hit here that can't be denied.

The Bad: Bugged by the Past

Unfortunately, that nostalgia comes with a price. Many of the original game’s janky mechanics have carried over, and in some cases, they’ve worsened. Clipping issues, broken quest triggers, and entire areas that simply skip or fail to load have been widely reported by players. Combat still feels clunky, and AI pathfinding is just as unpredictable as ever—sometimes charming, more often frustrating.

Some features that fans hoped would be refined, like the infamous facial animations or the difficulty scaling system, remain mostly untouched or only lightly improved.

The Controversial: "Option 1" and "Option 2"

One of the more polarizing changes in the remaster has been the addition of certain modernized dialogue choices labeled "Option 1" and "Option 2," which attempt to incorporate "woke" themes. While inclusivity in gaming is welcome when done organically, many players have criticized these additions as feeling forced and out of place in a medieval fantasy setting. They appear tacked-on rather than woven into the world of Tamriel, and detract from the immersion for both longtime fans and newcomers alike.

Community Feedback

Across Reddit and gaming forums, the consensus has been mixed. While some players appreciate the remaster’s visual overhaul and are happy to be back in Cyrodiil, others have called the release “rushed,” “lazy,” or “a cash grab.” Modders have already begun fixing what Bethesda didn’t—ironic, considering the community's passion is what’s kept Oblivion alive for nearly two decades.

Final Verdict

Oblivion Remastered is a conflicted project. It delivers a gorgeous rendition of a beloved world, but fails to address long-standing issues and introduces new ones in the process. Its attempts to modernize tone and messaging feel shallow rather than empowering, and technical hiccups make it hard to recommend without caveats.

If you’re a die-hard fan, it’s worth the journey—for everyone else, maybe wait for a few patches… or modders to finish the job.