Oblivion Remastered: A Stunning Return to Tamriel in Unreal Engine 5

Introduction

Can you believe it’s been nearly two decades since The Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion first launched? In 2006, it revolutionized open-world RPGs with its vast landscapes, detailed lore, and freedom of choice. Now, Bethesda has teamed up with Virtuos to breathe new life into this classic, and the result is a jaw-dropping Oblivion Remastered, rebuilt completely in Unreal Engine 5.

But this isn’t just a visual facelift—this is a full-blown resurrection.

Release and Availability

Oblivion Remastered hit the digital shelves on April 22, 2025, and is available right now on:

• Xbox Series X|S (yes, it’s on Xbox Game Pass too!)
• PlayStation 5
• PC (via Steam and Xbox App)
• Cloud gaming services

And it’s competitively priced:

• Standard Edition: $49.99
• Deluxe Edition: $59.99

Even better? It supports Xbox Play Anywhere, so you can hop from PC to console seamlessly.

What’s Included in Each Edition

Standard Edition ($49.99)

This isn’t a bare-bones package. You get:

• The full remastered base game
• Shivering Isles expansion
• Knights of the Nine expansion
• All DLCs, including:
  • Fighter’s Stronghold
  • Spell Tome Treasures
  • Vile Lair
  • Mehrune’s Razor
  • The Thieves Den

Deluxe Edition ($59.99)

If you’re a collector or just a die-hard fan, this edition adds some exciting perks:

• Exclusive quests that unlock Akatosh and Mehrunes Dagon armor sets
• Unique weapons and horse armor
• A digital artbook
• A soundtrack app for that nostalgic background score

Technical Overhaul and Graphics

Unreal Engine 5 Upgrade

Forget nostalgia for a second—this thing looks stunning. Using UE5, Bethesda has preserved the game’s core logic but wrapped it in a layer of 4K textures, real-time lighting, and hyper-detailed assets.

Lumen Lighting & Rebuilt Assets

Thanks to Lumen technology, shadows dance dynamically, torchlight flickers like actual fire, and every character model has been built with millions of polygons. Even the forests of Cyrodiil feel alive.

Visual Comparison to Original

Remember that jagged 2006 grass and potato-faced NPCs? Yeah, those are gone. In their place: photo-realistic environments, crisp facial animations, and improved lip-syncing using cutting-edge tech.

File Size and Storage Needs

Brace yourself: Oblivion Remastered weighs in at 119–125 GB, a massive leap from the original’s 4.6 GB. Why? Because:

• Fully rebuilt assets
• 4K textures
• UE5 lighting systems

Make sure you’ve got the space.

System Requirements

Minimum Specs

• OS: Windows 10 64-bit
• CPU: Ryzen 5 2600X / Intel i7-6800K
• RAM: 16 GB
• GPU: Radeon RX 5700 / GeForce GTX 1070 Ti
• Storage: 125 GB

Recommended Specs

• CPU: Ryzen 5 3600X / Intel i5-10600K
• RAM: 32 GB
• GPU: Radeon RX 6800 XT / GeForce RTX 2080

Steam Deck Compatibility

It’s Steam Deck Verified, but users report better performance in interiors than wide-open areas.

Gameplay Improvements

Reimagined UI and Controls

Bethesda has modernized the UI with:

• Redesigned HUD
• A useful new Clairvoyance system
• Upgraded Persuasion mini-game
• A slick map system

Combat and Movement Enhancements

You can now sprint (finally!) and enjoy:

• Weightier, reactive combat
• Modern combat animations
• Revamped third-person view
• Smooth movement transitions

Reworked Game Mechanics

They’ve gone deep with this one:

• A “hybrid leveling system” that mixes the best of Oblivion and Skyrim
• Improved enemy scaling
• Better non-combat perks
• Expanded autosaves
• Accessibility options galore

Performance Issues at Launch

Let’s be real—it’s not all sunshine and rainbows.

• Some stuttering in both Quality and Performance modes on consoles
• Performance Mode is smoother, especially on Xbox Series X
• Visual bugs and frame dips in large open-world areas
• PC users also reporting inconsistent frame rates

Comparing to Skyblivion

Official vs. Fan Project

• Oblivion Remastered is official, made by Bethesda + Virtuos
• Skyblivion is a fan-made mod project

Engine and Features

• Remastered uses Unreal Engine 5
• Skyblivion is based on Skyrim’s engine

Availability and Content Differences

• Remastered: Available on consoles and PC
• Skyblivion: PC only
• Remastered: Includes all DLCs
• Skyblivion: DLC support still in development

Still, the Skyblivion team says, “there’s no competition—both projects can thrive together.” And we love that energy.

Early Reception

Players are loving:

• The visual glow-up
• Enhanced gameplay without losing the original’s soul
• Day-one Game Pass access
• All DLCs bundled in

Critics are pointing out:

• High system requirements
• Massive file size
• Launch-day performance hiccups

Is Oblivion Remastered Worth It in 2025?

In a word? Absolutely.

Whether you’re chasing nostalgia or discovering Oblivion for the first time, this remaster is the definitive way to explore Tamriel’s heartland.

Conclusion

Bethesda didn’t just dust off an old classic—they rebuilt it from the ground up. Oblivion Remastered is a love letter to RPG fans, offering a visual spectacle and refined gameplay in one massive package.

Yes, it’s not flawless at launch. But when you step out of the sewers and into that shimmering sunrise over Cyrodiil? You’ll know—it was all worth it.

FAQs

Q1: Is Oblivion Remastered available on last-gen consoles?
No, it’s exclusive to Xbox Series X|S, PS5, and PC. No support for PS4 or Xbox One.

Q2: Can I transfer my old Oblivion saves to the remaster?
Unfortunately, no. This is a full rebuild in a different engine, so old saves are not compatible.

Q3: Is it mod-friendly like the original?
Yes! Bethesda has confirmed that modding tools will be released post-launch, with Steam Workshop and Nexus support.

Q4: How does the remaster handle loading screens?
Significantly improved! Thanks to SSD optimization, loading is nearly instant in most areas.

Q5: Will Skyblivion be redundant now?
Not at all. Skyblivion and Oblivion Remastered are two different experiences. Think of it as a buffet—why choose just one?