"Oblivion Designer Praises Bethesda's Remaster as 'Oblivion 2.0'"

Bruce Nesmith, a senior game designer for the original The Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion, has expressed his astonishment at the depth of Bethesda and Virtuos' work on the newly released Oblivion Remastered. In a conversation with VideoGamer, Nesmith highlighted the extensive effort that went into the original 2006 RPG, describing the remaster as surpassing mere texture updates. He noted the comprehensive changes, including revamped animations, a new animation system, integration of the Unreal Engine, modifications to the leveling system, and an updated user interface. Nesmith suggested that the term "remaster" might not fully capture the essence of this overhaul, hinting that it feels more like a "remake."

"I was assuming this was going to be a texture update," Nesmith admitted. "I didn’t really think it was going to be the complete overhaul that they’ve announced it to be... I would not have batted an eye at that. But to completely redo the animations, the animation system, put in the Unreal Engine, change the leveling system, change the user interface. I mean, that’s, you’re touching every part of the game."

Despite Bethesda's silence on the project until its surprise release, fans have been overwhelmingly positive about the numerous changes, which range from cosmetic enhancements to core gameplay adjustments. The addition of a new sprint mechanic and alterations to the leveling system have led many, including Nesmith, to feel that Oblivion Remastered transcends the traditional definition of a remaster, possibly warranting the label "Oblivion 2.0."

Nesmith further emphasized the magnitude of the changes, stating, "That’s a staggering amount of remastering. It almost needs its own word, quite frankly. I’m not sure remaster actually does it justice."

In response to the fan appreciation, Bethesda has clarified its naming decision for the RPG's re-release. In a statement shared on social media, the studio expressed that their aim was not to "remake" Oblivion but to preserve the cherished experience while modernizing it for new players, flaws included.

"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 unveiled 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 able to access it at no additional cost. The modding community has also responded enthusiastically to this unexpected release.

For those eager to dive deeper into the remastered world of Cyrodiil, a comprehensive guide is available, featuring an expansive Interactive Map, complete Walkthroughs for the Main Questline and Guild Quests, tips on Building the Perfect Character, and a list of Things to Do First, among other resources.