If you thought that tinkering with beards was a trivial change, think again—because Oblivion Remastered finally lets our NPCs sport some long-awaited scruff. In the original Oblivion, you roamed the vast province of Cyrodiil absent any hint of facial hair: no beards, not even a rebellious mustache in sight. Now, thanks to a few stylistic upgrades by the folks at Virtuos, a handful of characters can finally join the facial hair club. It’s a small change on the surface, but it underscores the game’s overall effort to modernize its appearance while keeping that uniquely unsettling charm that game director Todd Howard once rhapsodized about during the reveal stream.
Graphics & Atmosphere The visuals have received a full glow-up—running on the impressive Unreal Engine 5—which breathes new life into the world of Oblivion. The environments are refreshed to new levels of detail, making Cyrodiil a place you’ll want to get lost in even more enthusiastically than before. Yet, while the landscapes dazzle, the character models still miss that mark of perfection, remaining a bit off-key. To some players, these quirky imperfections might be a distraction against the backdrop of polished scenery, but for the diehard Oblivion fan, those awkward, almost unsettling character designs are part of the game’s endearing personality.
Gameplay & Mechanics The remaster isn’t just a pretty face—seriously, it’s sporting a new beard! Some of Oblivion’s more outdated mechanics have been given a gentle overhaul. Attack animations have been reworked to hopefully make your battles feel less like a clunky dance, even if the overall combat remains, well, a bit on the rough side. The leveling system has been streamlined: you still get to enjoy the class system, but the risk of getting stuck or soft-locked is significantly reduced. However, not everything has been upgraded to modern standards; the game’s iconic map screen remains unchanged from the original. It’s like that one friend who just won’t update their phone—familiar yet a little bit frustrating.
Character Design & Quirks The remaster aims to walk that fine line between nostalgia and modern refinement. By retaining the “jank” that purists know and love, Oblivion Remastered doesn’t give in entirely to modern polish, and that’s both its charm and its challenge. Purists will likely nitpick the lingering oddities, while newcomers might find themselves scratching their heads at some of the inherent quirks. But let’s be honest: isn’t it those curious imperfections that make the game feel like a genuine relic of RPG history? It’s a tribute to all the little details that became part of Oblivion’s legendary status.
Who Should Jump In If you’re a longtime fan of the Elder Scrolls series craving a nostalgic stroll through familiar territory with a few modern enhancements, or if you’re curious about experiencing the original jank for yourself, Oblivion Remastered is definitely worth a look. It doesn’t reinvent the wheel, but it sure gives that wheel a fresh coat of paint—and, of course, a stylish beard. Just be prepared for a mix of awe-inspiring visuals and some head-scratching character moments that remind you why the original has such an enduring appeal.
For more details, check out the full review on GameSpot.
Source: This article was inspired by content from Gamespot . All images belong to their respective owners.