If you’ve ever missed a little scruff in your fantasy adventures, then prepare to be pleasantly surprised. Oblivion Remastered brings a dash of facial hair to the table—yep, you read that right. The original game might have been a clean-shaven wonderland, but now a few NPCs sport beards, giving the whole world a slightly rugged edge. And while this subtle shift in style doesn’t overhaul the core experience, it sure adds a fun twist to the visuals.
Facial Hair and Visual Updates Remember when the characters of Cyrodiil were as smooth as freshly oiled armor? Gone are those days—well, at least for a handful of NPCs. It’s not like the beard upgrade radically changes the epic journey, but it’s a neat nod to detail. Coupled with a complete graphics overhaul powered by Unreal Engine 5, Oblivion Remastered brings a crisp, modern look that contrasts wonderfully with the game’s original, charming imperfections. Even so, half the characters still carry that unmistakable “what did I just encounter?” vibe that seems to be a staple of Bethesda’s creature feature. It might feel off-putting to some, especially when paired with the otherwise stunning visuals, but honestly, it’s part of the game’s quirky personality.
Tweaked Gameplay Mechanics and That Bethesda Jank Underneath the shiny new visuals lies the heart of a classic adventure, albeit one with a few bumps along the way. The folks at Virtuos have done their best to respect that trademark Bethesda charm. They’ve kept the beloved jank intact while reworking some of Oblivion’s more dated mechanics. For example, attack animations got a facelift—though let’s be real, the combat might still leave you wishing for a bit more finesse. The leveling system remains streamlined, comfortably preserving the class-based structure while making it harder to get soft-locked. And while menus and UI elements finally feel less like an afterthought, the iconic map screen is still a nostalgic nod to the original, unchanged in its vintage glory.
Who’s This Game For? Oblivion Remastered is tailor-made for the diehard fans who know that a bit of oddity is just part of its charm. If you’re into epic adventures, sprawling open worlds, and don’t mind a few visual quirks and unconventional combat moves, this remaster is definitely worth a revisit. It’s ideal for those who appreciate a game that isn’t afraid to be authentic, even if that means keeping some of its famed imperfections intact.
Final Thoughts At the end of the day, Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion Remastered manages to strike that delicate balance between the familiar and the revamped. The added facial hair and upgraded graphics breathe new life into the world of Cyrodiil, yet the game remains just as delightfully off-kilter as ever. Sure, purists might pick apart a few details and newcomers could find themselves scratching their heads at some of the lingering jank, but honestly, isn’t that what makes exploring Oblivion so memorable? Check it out for a taste of nostalgia served with a modern twist—quirks and all!
Source: This article was inspired by content from Gamespot . All images belong to their respective owners.