It’s only fair for Bethesda to re-release Oblivion in the form of Oblivion Remastered, seeing as Skyrim has been re-released 16 times. Recent leaks and gameplay videos for Oblivion Remastered, however, have worried some hardcore fans of the franchise. It appears Oblivion‘s high-fantasy atmosphere and palette are missing in the remaster; in contrast (no pun intended), the unofficial Skyblivion modder remake is looking more faithful to the 2006 game.
For the uninitiated, Skyblivion is a full-conversion mod for Skyrim that turns the game into a full Oblivion remake. It has been brewing rather passionately for 13 years now and is a volunteer project. It’s made with love, in other words.
Speaking of which, Skyblivion is also aiming for a 2025 release, much like Oblivion Remastered (April 21, if we’re lucky). That means 2025 is the year when Oblivion fans get not only one but hopefully two Oblivion remakes. For fans who are already disappointed with Oblivion Remastered‘s changes this early on, Skyblivion might very well provide the fix, seeing as it maintains the original atmosphere.
But despite showing more faithfulness to the original, Skyblivion creator, Rebelzize (and friends), chose to be humble and conciliatory, often suggesting in his posts and announcements that there’s no need for harsh competition between the two remakes. Because first of all, Skyblivion is free, and more importantly, more Oblivion is always welcome.
Oblivion Remastered is Going for a Different Vibe
It’s not just the general atmosphere and filter that separates Oblivion Remastered from the original. Some of the more reliable leaks have pointed out the remade combat systems and even “Dark Souls-inspired gameplay mechanics,” particularly for blocking. The HUD, Stamina, and hit reactions are also going to get streamlined or “improved.”
It’s hard to say whether these changes will be good or bad, as some of the more common complaints of Oblivion fans who went into Skyrim were how Bethesda streamlined the sequel too much. Hence, there’s a big chance that Skyblivion is going to be more faithful to Oblivion than Oblivion Remastered will be, not just in visuals.
Meticulous Comparisons are Inevitable, Of Course
Try as I might, it’s hard for me to share Rebelzize’s gracefulness when it comes to the Oblivion remake rivalry. I can’t help but feel déjà vu; modders fixing Bethesda’s games (and giving them an extended lifespan) is an all-too-common tradition now, and has even intensified in recent titles such as Starfield.
To that end, modders like Rebelzize have continued to be the (often) unrewarded heroes of the Bethesda gaming community, and it’s both ironic and endearing that the same notion applies to the Oblivion remakes (or remasters) that we’re getting in 2025.
For that matter, one also can’t help but feel concerned about the future of Elder Scrolls games, particularly the upcoming and ever-elusive Elder Scrolls 6. If Starfield or even Oblivion Remastered is to be an indication of Bethesda’s vision for the future of its games, it doesn’t exactly look shiny.
Granted, Oblivion Remastered is being developed by Virtuos (Dark Souls Remastered), and Starfield was a new IP. There’s a big chance Elder Scrolls 6 will be treated more carefully; if not, you can always count on modders to come to the rescue and show Bethesda how it’s done.
