Oblivion Remaster Surprise-Launches Today On Game Pass, Also Available On PS5

The long-rumored remake of The Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion is indeed real, and fans don't have to wait another minute to play it. Bethesda has officially announced the remaster and it's out now on Game Pass for Xbox and PC, and it's also available for purchase on those platforms, starting at $50 for the standard edition and scaling to $60 for the deluxe edition. A PS5 version is available, too.

You can buy the game on GameSpot sister site Fanatical right now for 17% off.

The game is developed by Virtuos in partnership with Bethesda, running on Unreal Engine 5 and sporting better visuals. The Remastered version includes the base game and story expansions Shivering Isles and Knights of the Nine. Beyond an updated look, the game features a new leveling system.

Gallery

There are also new lines of dialogue, sprinting support, blood splatter effects where previously there were none, and better lighting effects, Bethesda said. You can get a closer look at the game in the announcement trailer below.

"Alongside 4K resolution, 60 frames per second performance, all-new textures, lighting effects, and landscape improvements, the game also updates everything from character, spell, and weapon animations, to dynamic time of day and weather effects," Microsoft said.

Here are some of the quality-of-life updates in Oblivion Remastered, as written by Microsoft:

• HUD, menu and map reworks
• Improved UI for systems like Persuasion, Clairvoyance, and more
• Modifications to levelling, encumbrance, non-combat perks, and other mechanics
• Improved enemy scaling
• Enhanced accessibility features
• Additional autosaves
• Revised first-person and third-person camera

A digital deluxe edition ($60) is available as well. This includes, you guessed it, horse armor sets, along with special armors and weapons. Players also get a digital artbook and a soundtrack app, along with the Fighter's Stronghold expansion, Spell Tome Treasures, Vile Lair, Mehrune's Razor, The Thieves Den, Wizard’s Tower, Orrery, and Horse Pack Armor.

PC Specs

The Steam page for the Oblivion remaster lists off the system requirements--you can see them below.

Minimum

• OS: Windows 10 64-bit
• Processor: AMD Ryzen 5 2600X, Intel Core i7-6800K
• Memory: 16 GB RAM
• Graphics: AMD Radeon RX 5700, Nvidia GeForce 1070 Ti
• DirectX: Version 12
• Storage: 125 GB

Recommended

• OS: Windows 10 64-bit
• Processor: AMD Ryzen 5 3600X, Intel Core i5-10600K
• Memory: 32 GB RAM
• Graphics: AMD Radeon RX 6800XT or Nvidia RTX 2080
• DirectX: Version 12
• Storage: 125 GB

If you're new to the world of Oblivion, you might be interested in reading GameSpot's comprehensive Oblivion walkthrough to help you get started with the game.

A remaster of Oblivion has been rumored for years, dating back to when it was first mentioned in the court documents that came out of the Microsoft vs. FTC case. The surprise-launch is not shocking, either, as that's exactly what reports said would happen with this title.

The Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion Remastered

$41.49 (was $50)

See at Fanatical See at Fanatical (Deluxe)

In addition to launching on PC, Oblivion was an Xbox exclusive on console when it debuted in 2006, before coming to PS3 in 2007. The open-world RPG is fondly remembered for its story and gameplay--and infamously for its horse armor, which was a prominent early example of DLC. Bethesda boss Todd Howard later reflected on the horse armor, saying "people will buy anything."

Bethesda followed up Oblivion with the enormously popular The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim in 2011. Bethesda is now working on The Elder Scrolls VI, but there is no word yet on when it might be released.

73 Elder Scrolls: Oblivion Remaster Screenshots Showing Off The New Visuals

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