Discover the insights of an original Oblivion developer who now admits that the world-scale leveling system was a misstep. Delve into his reflections on the game's evolution and its continued acclaim since its initial launch.
The Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion Remastered Changes Applauded by Former Dev
World-Scale Leveling Remains in Oblivion Remastered
In a candid interview with VideoGamer, Bruce Nesmith, a designer of the original Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion, voiced his regrets over the inclusion of the world-scale leveling system, which has been retained in the remastered version. Nesmith, whose portfolio also includes contributions to Fallout 3, Skyrim, and Starfield, praised the adjustments made to the leveling mechanics for better aligning with modern gaming expectations.
Originally, Oblivion required players to advance their major skills before resting to level up and boost attributes—a process that was streamlined in the remaster to resemble Skyrim's XP-based system. Nesmith commended Bethesda for this bold move, enhancing the game's playability.
However, Nesmith critiqued the decision to keep the world-scale leveling feature, which adjusts enemy levels in tandem with the player's progress. He remarked, "I think the world leveling with you was a mistake and that’s proven out by the fact it did not happen the same way in Skyrim." This system has been a point of contention among fans since the game's debut in 2006, prompting them to develop mods to alter it. With the remastered version carrying over this feature, the community has once again stepped up to address it through modding.
Oblivion Remastered is More Than Just a Remaster
The buzz surrounding the remaster of Oblivion has been met with astonishment at the depth of the overhaul. Nesmith, expecting merely updated textures akin to Skyrim: Special Edition, was taken aback by the extensive work done. In another VideoGamer interview, he expressed, "[It’s] a staggering amount of remastering. It almost needs its own word, quite frankly. I’m not sure remaster actually does it justice."
Bethesda's commitment to this project is evident, having rebuilt Tamriel using Unreal Engine 5. This monumental effort allowed them to transcend the limitations of the original, earning widespread acclaim for the high-quality result. Game8 awarded Oblivion Remastered a score of 90 out of 100, celebrating its dedicated homage to Cyrodiil, meticulously crafted with contemporary technology. For a deeper dive into our review, explore our article below!
