The Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion Remastered officially announced and released!

Bethesda has officially confirmed what many fans had suspected: The Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion is back, remastered and available now. The beloved 2006 open-world RPG has received a full visual and technical overhaul thanks to a collaboration with Virtuos, the studio behind Dark Souls: Remastered. The launch was announced during a livestream on Tuesday, followed by an immediate surprise release — a strategy known as a “shadow drop.”

The remastered version of Oblivion is available for PlayStation 5, Windows PC (via Steam), and Xbox Series X|S at a price of €49.99. Additionally, subscribers to Xbox Game Pass Ultimate can access it for free on both PC and Xbox platforms.

This new edition of Oblivion utilizes Unreal Engine 5, marking a first for Bethesda, which typically relies on its proprietary game engines. While the game still incorporates elements of the original Gamebryo engine to preserve its core feel, the use of Unreal Engine 5 delivers vastly enhanced graphics, improved lighting, textures, and more realistic combat visuals and sound effects.

Bethesda has also modernized the game’s user interface and leveling system to align more closely with contemporary RPG standards. Notably, a sprint button has been added—something the original lacked—adding a welcome layer of mobility to the first-person gameplay. Enemy animations have also been refined for more dynamic and satisfying combat encounters.

While the remaster preserves much of the original structure, fans are already curious about whether classic Oblivionquirks — like the infamous “paintbrush stairway to heaven” exploit — remain intact. Bethesda has yet to confirm whether these glitches, which became iconic parts of the original experience, have been preserved or patched out.

The community is also awaiting details on modding support, a cornerstone of the Bethesda RPG experience. With modders on platforms like Nexus Mods famously transforming titles like Skyrim and Fallout 4 into entirely new games, many are wondering whether Oblivion Remastered will be equally accessible for custom content. Bethesda has not yet clarified whether old mods will be compatible with the remaster or if new tools will be provided.

Oblivion Remastered includes all previously released expansions and downloadable content: Shivering Isles, Knights of the Nine, as well as add-ons like Mehrune’s Razor, Wizard’s Tower, and the once-mocked but now-iconic Horse Armor Pack. With all content bundled in, this edition provides both newcomers and longtime fans with a complete and polished return to the world of Cyrodiil.

As anticipation builds for The Elder Scrolls VI, this remastered classic offers a timely opportunity to revisit one of Bethesda’s most influential titles. With its blend of nostalgia and modern polish, Oblivion Remastered is poised to enchant a new generation of players — and maybe even inspire them to start modding.