Back in 2006, Bethesda’s The Elder Scrolls 4: Oblivion took the gaming world by storm, captivating players with its sprawling open world, diverse quests, and a multitude of character customization options involving magic, combat, and archery. It truly stood out among its contemporaries. But, let’s be honest, part of its charm also lay in its wonky nature, with NPCs engaging in absurdly awkward conversations, displaying nonsensical behaviors, and delivering goofy voice-overs, all amidst bizarre physics glitches.
Fast forward to today, and this classic title is still celebrated fondly by gamers, even birthing a host of memes from its numerous humorous moments—many of which are hilariously compiled on YouTube by creators like Bacon_. Naturally, when Bethesda dropped Oblivion Remastered out of the blue earlier this week, there was some trepidation. Many fans, myself included, feared that the update might “fix” the game’s accidental comedic elements, which played a significant role in the original’s entertainment value.
However, just a few hours post-launch, it became evident that Oblivion Remastered not only visually and mechanically upgrades the RPG but also lovingly preserves its delightful quirks. Browsing the top posts in the Oblivion subreddit, it’s clear that the endearing silliness hasn’t been lost. My top pick? One of Bacon_’s classic memes, beautifully recreated after seven years, maintaining the spirit of the original antics.
Speaking of memorable moments, do you remember the early 2018 video that captured a thief NPC robbing the player of 100 Gold, only to bizarrely dismiss its worth moments later? It’s this kind of unexpected hilarity that summed up Oblivion’s peculiar charm. Seeing this exact scene replayed flawlessly in the new version was heartwarming, proving that improved graphics and smoother mechanics haven’t stripped away the essence that made the original so beloved.
Bacon_ didn’t stop there; another fan-favorite meme got a remake. Remember Rena Bruiant’s loves-dogs commentary, only to have her husband comically attack a dog immediately after? That, too, has been given new life, although his original battle cry “YEEHAUGH!” still tops the more subdued version in the remake.
Staying true to its roots is likely why Oblivion Remastered is thriving. For new players, it’s akin to experiencing a fresh Elder Scrolls release. Currently, the game is gaining significant traction on Steam and is accessible to anyone with an Xbox or PC via Xbox Game Pass—though PS5 players are out of luck. It’s priced at $49.99, but savvy shoppers can snag it for $41.49 on Fanatical.
Fans and newcomers alike can revel in this nostalgic upgrade, enjoying both its beautiful new sheen and the beloved oddities that make Oblivion timeless.
