"New Oblivion: Remake Look, Remaster Feel"

When Bethesda finally unveiled Oblivion Remastered earlier this week, it was a revelation. The 2006 journey through Tamriel, once infamous for its quirky potato-faced characters and blurred, low-resolution green expanses, has now transformed into the most visually stunning Elder Scrolls game to date. Having been conditioned by a series of underwhelming HD remasters like Mass Effect Legendary Edition and Dark Souls Remastered, which barely differ from their Xbox 360 counterparts, I was astounded to see the Imperial City, a place I explored nearly two decades ago, now brought to life with Unreal Engine 5 and ray tracing. Not only has the game received a visual overhaul, but it also boasts enhancements in combat, RPG systems, and numerous other details. Given these extensive upgrades, I initially questioned whether Bethesda and developer Virtuos had misnamed it. Should it really be called Oblivion *Remake*, not remastered?

It seems I wasn't the only one pondering this. Many fans have labeled it a remake, and even Bruce Nesmith, the senior game designer of the original Oblivion, stated, "I'm not sure [the word] remaster actually does it justice." Initially skeptical of the remaster label, after spending several hours with the game, it became clear that Oblivion Remastered, while looking like a remake, retains the feel of a remaster in its gameplay.

The reasons behind Oblivion's remake-like appearance are straightforward: Virtuos has meticulously redesigned every asset from the ground up. Every tree, sword, and crumbling castle you see on screen is brand new. This overhaul not only meets modern graphical standards with exquisite textures and lighting but also introduces a new physics system that ensures realistic interactions with arrows and weapon strikes. Even the NPCs, while still recognizable from 2006, are entirely new creations. This transformation doesn't aim to merely "look like you remember" but strives for excellence by 2025 standards, making it the best-looking Bethesda Game Studios RPG to date. Had I not known about the remaster rumors, I might have mistaken it for The Elder Scrolls 6.

Beyond the visuals, the game's combat system has been significantly improved. Swinging a longsword now feels more impactful than before, and the third-person camera now includes a functional reticule. Every menu, from the quest journal to dialogue and minigames like lockpicking and persuasion, has been refreshed. The original, often criticized leveling system has been replaced with a more intuitive hybrid of Oblivion and Skyrim's approaches. Additionally, players can now sprint, adding to the list of substantial gameplay enhancements. Given these changes, one might argue we're venturing into remake territory.

The confusion around whether Oblivion Remastered should be called a remake stems from the lack of clear industry standards for these terms. Publishers often use "remaster" and "remake" loosely. For example, Rockstar's "Definitive Edition" remasters of the Grand Theft Auto trilogy are essentially upscaled PlayStation 2-era games, while the Crash Bandicoot N. Sane Trilogy, also labeled a remaster, features entirely new graphics that rival modern games. Remakes can range from faithful rebuilds like Bluepoint's Shadow of the Colossus and Demon's Souls to more radical reimaginings like Resident Evil 2 and Final Fantasy 7 Remake. This variety suggests that the traditional definition of remakes and remasters is outdated. A more relevant definition today might categorize a remaster as a graphical upgrade that preserves the original game's design, with minor quality-of-life improvements, whereas a remake involves a complete redesign from scratch.

Applying these definitions to Oblivion Remastered, it becomes evident that it is aptly named. While the new assets and Unreal Engine 5 ray tracing make it appear brand new, the core gameplay and structure remain rooted in the 20-year-old original. As Bethesda explained, "We looked at every part and carefully upgraded it. But most of all, we never wanted to change the core. It's still a game from a previous era and should feel like one." This sentiment is reflected in the game's loading screens, the still-baffling persuasion minigame, the simplistic city designs, the awkward NPC behavior, and the combat, which, despite improvements, retains its original feel. Even the bugs and glitches, preserved for their quirky charm, underscore its remaster status.

Recent releases like Obsidian's Avowed showcase the future of RPGs with dynamic combat and exploration, making Oblivion Remastered's mechanics feel dated by comparison. However, this remaster retains the magic and ambition of its world, with its expansive fields and engaging quests still holding up well against newer games. Yet, the game's dialogue, system interconnectivity, and level design feel antiquated. A true remake would have modernized these elements, but Oblivion Remastered focuses on preserving the original experience.

Video games often borrow terminology from other media. In film, remakes are entirely new productions, while remasters enhance existing films to meet modern standards. The 4K restorations of classics like Jaws and The Godfather look fantastic but remain products of their time. Oblivion Remastered is akin to these film restorations, pushing the visual quality to its limits within the video game medium. As Alex Murphy, executive producer at Virtuos, aptly put it during the reveal stream, "We think of the Oblivion game engine as the brain and Unreal 5 as the body. The brain drives all the world logic and gameplay and the body brings to life the experience that players have loved for almost 20 years."

Oblivion Remastered lives up to its name, and its achievements should not be underestimated. It sets a high standard for remasters in the AAA gaming industry. Instead of debating whether it's a remake, it should be recognized as the benchmark against which other remasters are measured. This is the level of dedication and care that should have been applied to remasters like Mass Effect Legendary Edition and Grand Theft Auto: The Trilogy. Oblivion Remastered is a testament to passionate craftsmanship and a loving preservation of a classic, exactly as it should be.