Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion Designer Praises Bethesda's Remaster as 'Oblivion 2.0'

Bruce Nesmith, the senior game designer behind The Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion, expressed his amazement at the recently announced and released Oblivion Remastered, stating that simply calling it a remaster might not fully capture its essence. During a recent discussion with VideoGamer, Nesmith emphasized the extensive effort poured into revitalizing every aspect of Cyrodiil, making the transformation feel groundbreaking.

Initially, Nesmith assumed the remaster would involve texture updates. However, he was astounded by the complete overhaul, which includes revamped animations, an entirely new animation system, integration of the Unreal Engine, modifications to the leveling system, and a refreshed user interface. "That’s touching every part of the game," he remarked.

Bethesda surprised fans by launching Oblivion Remastered without prior announcement. Despite this, the remaster has drawn praise for its extensive changes, ranging from visual enhancements to core gameplay adjustments. Features like a new sprint mechanic and alterations to the leveling system have led many to view the project more as a remake than a traditional remaster. Nesmith aligns with this perspective, suggesting it could be called "Oblivion 2.0."

In response to queries about naming, Bethesda clarified their intention was not to remake Oblivion but to preserve its original charm while updating it for modern audiences. The studio hopes both veteran players and newcomers will feel transported to Cyrodiil as though experiencing it anew.

For those curious about other Bethesda RPGs that could benefit from a remaster, options include The Elder Scrolls: Arena, The Elder Scrolls II: Daggerfall, The Elder Scrolls III: Morrowind, The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim, Fallout 3, and Fallout 4. Currently, Oblivion Remastered is available on PC, PlayStation 5, and Xbox Series X/S, with Xbox Game Pass Ultimate subscribers receiving it at no additional cost. For deeper insights into the remaster, guides covering interactive maps, walkthroughs, character builds, and more are available.