Oblivion Remastered Plagued by Performance Issues and Divisive Reviews: Is Nostalgia Enough?
The Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion Remastered, a highly anticipated return to Cyrodiil, has arrived, but not without controversy. While some fans revel in the nostalgic charm, performance issues and mixed reviews are casting a shadow on the re-release. Is the remaster a faithful tribute or a missed opportunity?
Performance Problems Plague Even Top-Tier Hardware
According to a tech analysis by Digital Foundry, Oblivion Remastered suffers from significant performance issues, including frequent stutters, even on high-end CPUs and GPUs. "One of the worst running games he has ever tested," analyst Alex Battaglia stated. Reducing graphical settings offers minimal improvement, suggesting that only robust patches can address the lackluster optimization.
The analysis highlights the game's surprisingly high CPU and GPU demands. Even with an Nvidia RTX 5090 GPU and a Ryzen 7 9800X3D processor, frame rates remain inconsistent, and noticeable stutters persist, even at 1080p with DLSS enabled. This is particularly concerning given the original game's 2006 release date, and the expectation that modern hardware should easily handle a remastered version.
Mixed Reviews: A Nostalgic Facelift or a Missed Opportunity?
Initial reviews of Oblivion Remastered paint a picture of a game that struggles to balance nostalgia with modern expectations. While the updated textures and lighting offer a visual upgrade, inconsistencies and shallow improvements abound. Some environments exhibit appealing lighting, only to be undermined by stiff animations and awkward NPC expressions.
Critics have also pointed to the outdated UI, clunky inventory management, and the game's notorious level-scaling system, which remains broken and unbalanced. Combat is described as clunky and lacking impact, while the recycled voice acting further detracts from the overall experience.
A Killer Unicorn? Quirks and Unintended Consequences
Adding to the drama, one player recounted a bizarre and harrowing experience with a murderous, nigh-invincible unicorn within the game. What began as a helpful encounter quickly devolved into a persistent and terrifying hunt, highlighting the unique, emergent moments the game can generate, even if unintended. This anecdote showcases the game's quirky and sometimes unpredictable nature, a hallmark of the original Oblivion that has been preserved, for better or worse, in the remaster.
The Verdict
Oblivion Remastered presents a complex picture. While nostalgic fans may appreciate the updated visuals and the preservation of the original game's quirks, the persistent performance issues and criticisms regarding the lack of meaningful improvements raise concerns. Many long-time fans and new players have left negative feedback. Is nostalgia enough to overcome these shortcomings? Only time, and perhaps a few patches, will tell.
What are your thoughts on The Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion Remastered? Share your experiences and opinions in the comments below!
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Where can I get Oblivion remastered?
The Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion Remastered is available via PC, PS5, Xbox Series S, and Xbox Series X. It is available for $49.99 as well as with an Xbox Game Pass Ultimate subscription.
Is the Oblivion remaster real?
The Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion Remastered is out today for Xbox Series X|S, PC (via Steam and the Xbox App for Windows PC), cloud, and PlayStation 5. It's available day one with Game Pass, and is an Xbox Play Anywhere title.
How long is Oblivion remastered?
Oblivion Remastered's main quest can be completed in about 20-25 hours, while engaging in a majority of its side-quests can push that number well past 70-80 hours.
Does Oblivion Remaster run on Steam Deck?
Remaster definitely runs on Steam Deck with no fuss, but it doesn't look good or run particularly well. The starter dungeon can mostly keep to a solid 30 fps, but as you'd expect, the open world proves patchy at best.
