Bruce Nesmith, the senior game designer behind The Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion, has expressed awe at Bethesda and Virtuos' work on the Oblivion Remastered, questioning whether the term "remaster" truly captures the extent of the transformation. In a recent discussion with VideoGamer, Nesmith highlighted the immense effort that went into crafting the original 2006 RPG, underscoring the surprise and delight at seeing Cyrodiil reimagined in such a comprehensive manner.

"I was assuming this was going to be a texture update," Nesmith remarked. "I didn’t really think it was going to be the complete overhaul that they’ve announced... I would not have batted an eye at that. But to completely redo the animations, the animation system, implement the Unreal Engine, modify the leveling system, and revamp the user interface - that's touching every part of the game."

Despite no official word from Bethesda before its surprise launch, fans have been overwhelmingly positive about the changes, which span from subtle visual enhancements to significant gameplay alterations. Features such as a new sprint mechanic and adjustments to the leveling system have led many, including Nesmith, to view Oblivion Remastered as more of a remake than a mere remaster. "The closest that could come [to categorising it] is Oblivion 2.0," Nesmith stated, adding, "That’s a staggering amount of remastering. It almost needs its own word, quite frankly. I’m not sure remaster actually does it justice."

In further discussions, Nesmith attempted to encapsulate the essence of what he’s witnessed in Oblivion Remastered: "The closest that could come [to categorising it] is Oblivion 2.0."

As the gaming community celebrates the revitalized Oblivion, Bethesda shared insights into the naming of their RPG re-release. In a recent social media post, the studio clarified that they "never wanted to remake" Oblivion. Their goal was to preserve the cherished experience while making it accessible to new players, imperfections included.

"We know many of our longtime fans will be thrilled to revisit Oblivion and the land of Cyrodiil," Bethesda's statement read. "But there are also so many who have never played it. We can’t thank you enough for all the support you have given us and our games over the years. Our hope with this remaster is, that no matter who you are, when you step out of the Imperial sewer – you feel like you’re experiencing it for the first time."

The Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion Remastered was unveiled and released as a surprise drop by Bethesda. Players can now explore its refreshed version of Cyrodiil on PC, PlayStation 5, and Xbox Series X and S. Xbox Game Pass Ultimate subscribers can enjoy it at no additional cost. The modding community's enthusiastic response to the launch has further energized the Elder Scrolls community.

For a deep dive into what Oblivion Remastered offers, we have a comprehensive guide featuring an extensive Interactive Map, detailed Walkthroughs for the Main Questline and all Guild Quests, advice on Building the Perfect Character, essential Things to Do First, and much more.