Back in 2006, Bethesda shook the gaming world with The Elder Scrolls 4: Oblivion. Instantly, it became a favorite, celebrated for its expansive open world, a plethora of engaging quests, and an impressive variety of character customization through magic, melee, and archery. These elements made it rise above its contemporaries. But, as much as it was loved for its depth, Oblivion was equally notorious for its eccentric mishaps. The awkward NPC dialogues, their bizarre behaviors, quirky voice acting, and the infamous physics glitches gave players plenty to chuckle about.
As time has marched on, that fondness hasn’t faded a bit. Fans still reminisce about the title, now two decades old (and yes, that makes me feel ancient). In fact, hilarious and beloved memes have blossomed from comical Oblivion moments, showcasing on platforms like Bacon_’s YouTube channel. So when Bethesda, teaming up with Virtuos Games, quietly launched Oblivion Remastered last week, I couldn’t shake off a slight nervousness. Would they “correct” the delightful chaos that added layers of fun to the original?
Thankfully, those fears were for naught. Just hours into its launch, it was clear that Oblivion Remastered offers not just a visual and mechanical overhaul but keeps all the original’s charming oddities intact. A quick browse on the Oblivion subreddit is enlightening. One standout is a classic Bacon_ meme, beautifully recreated in the remaster, seven years after its initial conception.
One memorable video from early 2018, which has amassed an impressive 18 million views, highlights an authentic Oblivion moment. A thief NPC confronts the player, taking 100 Gold, only to bizarrely dismiss the player’s act of stealing it back moments later, saying it’s “worthless to him anyway.” This comedic exchange captures the essence of how silly and endearingly ludicrous the game can be. To my delight, Bacon_ managed to recreate this scene in the remaster flawlessly, in precisely the same location.
Although Oblivion Remastered shines with stunning Unreal Engine 5 graphics and improved combat dynamics, it’s heartening to see that the chaos and soul of the original remain untouched. Bacon_ also refreshed another classic clip: the quirky incident of Rena Bruiant declaring her love for dogs just before her husband abruptly attacks a pet dog. Even if the husband’s new “Hough!” cry lacks the flair of the original “YEEHAUGH!,” the faithful spirit is deeply appreciated.
This dedication to capturing the essence of the original is likely a major factor in the remaster’s success. Many younger players are experiencing what is, to them, a brand new Elder Scrolls game. Currently, it’s a sensation on Steam and available on both Xbox and PC (though not on PS5) through Xbox Game Pass. Priced at $49.99, there’s even a deal on Fanatical, offering the Steam version for $41.49.
