Stealth Drop: Elder Scrolls Oblivion Remastered Announced and Released
By Corporal Punishment |
Surprise! Oblivion Remastered Is Here: Bethesda's 2006 Classic Returns with a Modern Makeover
Surprise, adventurers! Bethesda has officially dropped The Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion Remastered, and not only was it announced today, but it's already live in digital stores. That's right: no waiting, no pre-order purgatory. You can jump into Cyrodiil right now on Xbox Series X|S and Desktop, PlayStation 5, and PC. And if you're an XBox Game Pass subscriber? You're already good to go.
From Cult Classic to Modern Marvel
Initially released in 2006, Oblivion was the fourth entry in the Elder Scrolls series. A sprawling open-world RPG that helped define what immersive fantasy gaming could be. With its radiant look, vast world, and stunning (for the time) visuals, it carved out a permanent place in gaming history.
Now, nearly two decades later, it's back and looking better than ever. Powered by Unreal Engine 5, the remaster gives the game a full graphical overhaul, smoother animations, sharper textures, and, yes, proper shadows. Combat mechanics have also been refined, the UI modernized, and even the voice acting has been expanded to give different races distinct personalities. Bethesda clarifies that this is more than just a texture pack.
A Brief Scroll Through Elder Scrolls History
The Elder Scrolls franchise has been captivating RPG fans since the early '90s:
1994: The Elder Scrolls: Arena — the franchise's ambitious debut
1996: Daggerfall — shockingly vast and one of the largest open-world maps ever
2002: Morrowind — the series hit its stride with atmospheric storytelling and modding gold
2006: Oblivion — brought RPGs into the HD era with voice-acted quests and dynamic world systems
2011: Skyrim — the fifth entry became a cultural phenomenon, still going strong with re-releases and an active modding scene
And then... silence. Despite Bethesda confirming The Elder Scrolls VI is in the works, the last official installment (Skyrim) dropped in 2011 over 13 years ago. That long wait makes Oblivion Remastered a welcome and unexpected gift for long-time fans hungry for a return to Tamriel.
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Is This a Free Upgrade? What's It Cost?
As of the latest information, The Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion Remastered is not a free upgrade even if you already own the original 2006 version.
Bethesda treats this as a separate release, rebuilt in Unreal Engine 5 with new graphical assets, improved systems, and even some additional content (especially in the Deluxe Edition). That means previous ownership of the original Oblivion, whether on Steam, GOG, or disc, does not carry over in the form of a free remaster download.
However, if you're a Game Pass Ultimate subscriber, you're in luck—Oblivion Remastered is available day one on Game Pass, so you can dive in without purchasing it directly.
Standard Edition – $49.99
This edition offers the complete remastered experience of the original game, including:
Deluxe Edition – $59.99
The Deluxe Edition caters to the super fan. It includes everything in the standard version PLUS exclusive content:
Deluxe Edition Upgrade – $9.99
For those who start with the Standard Edition (including Game Pass users), there's an option to upgrade to the Deluxe Edition.
Geek Verdict
This is more than just a remaster for fans of the franchise. This is a resurrection. With Skyrim still dominating fantasy RPG charts after more than a decade, it's nice to see its older sibling get a well-deserved glow-up. Oblivion Remastered isn't just a nod to the past; it's a bridge connecting the golden age of RPGs to a new generation of gamers.
So grab your gear, rejoin the Blades, and step through the gates of Oblivion!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! — again.
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