If you're a fan of The Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion, you might recall the divisive world-scale leveling system that was introduced when the game launched in 2006. Recently, Bruce Nesmith, the original game’s lead designer, admitted in an interview with VideoGamer that this feature was indeed a misstep. Despite its return in Oblivion Remastered, Nesmith expressed his agreement with the concerns fans have voiced over the years.
Nesmith, whose credits also include designing quests and systems for Fallout 3, Skyrim, and Starfield, noted that the remaster’s adjustments to the leveling system have made it more accessible to modern players. Unlike the original, where players leveled up by increasing their major skills, the remaster adopted a system similar to Skyrim. Players now earn experience across all skill lines, a change Nesmith described as "brave."
However, when it came to the world-scale leveling system, which adjusts enemy strength based on the player’s level, Nesmith had a different opinion. He pointed out that this mechanic often left players feeling frustrated, as enemies scaled alongside them, diminishing the sense of accomplishment. This sentiment aligns with fan feedback, prompting the creation of numerous mods to counteract this issue. Even in the remastered version, fans were quick to modify the system to suit their preferences.
Despite these critiques, Oblivion Remastered is much more than a simple update. Nesmith himself was taken aback by the extent of the remastering efforts. Initially, he anticipated minor texture improvements akin to those seen in Skyrim: Special Edition. Instead, the team rebuilt Tamriel using Unreal Engine 5, pushing beyond the technical limitations of the original game. This dedication earned widespread acclaim from both critics and fans alike.
At Game8, we awarded Oblivion Remastered a score of 90/100 for its meticulous recreation of Cyrodiil. The remaster breathes new life into the classic while staying true to its roots. To read more about our thoughts, head over to the full review linked below.
