"Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion Remaster Dubbed 'Oblivion 2.0' by Designer"

Bruce Nesmith, the senior game designer behind the original The Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion, has expressed awe at the work done on Bethesda and Virtuos' Oblivion Remastered. In a recent interview with VideoGamer, Nesmith shared his thoughts on the project, suggesting that the term "remaster" might not fully capture the extent of the changes made. He highlighted the immense effort that went into the original game, emphasizing the "blood, sweat, and tears" invested in crafting every detail of Cyrodiil. The surprise and admiration he felt upon seeing the game reimagined in almost every aspect were palpable.

"I was expecting just a texture update," Nesmith admitted. "But what they've announced is a complete overhaul. They've redone the animations, revamped the animation system, integrated the Unreal Engine, altered the leveling system, and redesigned the user interface. They've touched every part of the game."

Despite no official announcement from Bethesda prior to its launch, the community has been overwhelmingly positive about the myriad changes in Oblivion Remastered. From minor visual enhancements to significant gameplay adjustments, including a new sprint mechanic and modifications to the leveling system, many fans feel that this is more of a remake than a remaster. Nesmith himself leans towards this view, suggesting that the project might be better described as "Oblivion 2.0." He remarked, "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 his discussion, Nesmith tried to encapsulate his impressions of Oblivion Remastered, stating, "The closest that could come [to categorising it] is Oblivion 2.0."

As fans celebrate the dedication poured into Oblivion Remastered, Bethesda has provided insight into their naming decision for this RPG re-release. In a social media statement, the studio clarified that they "never wanted to remake" Oblivion but aimed to preserve the beloved experience while modernizing it for new players, "warts and all."

"We know many of our longtime fans will be thrilled to revisit Oblivion and the land of Cyrodiil," Bethesda's statement continued. "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."

Oblivion Remastered was unveiled and released as a surprise drop by Bethesda, now available on PC, PlayStation 5, and Xbox Series X and S. Xbox Game Pass Ultimate subscribers can enjoy it at no additional cost. The modding community has responded enthusiastically to this unexpected launch, further invigorating the Elder Scrolls community.

For those eager to dive into the revamped world of Cyrodiil, we offer a comprehensive guide to Oblivion Remastered. This includes an expansive Interactive Map, complete Walkthroughs for the Main Questline and every Guild Quest, tips on How to Build the Perfect Character, Things to Do First, and much more.