Oblivion Remastered Guide: Mods, Review and Skyrim

I’ve put a good number of hours into Skyrim. Exploring, fighting dragons, and working through the guild questlines was what kept me hooked. Oblivion, though? Never touched it. It came out in 2006, and by the time I got into Elder Scrolls games, everyone had moved on to Skyrim.

So when Bethesda dropped Oblivion Remastered out of nowhere in April 2025, it went straight onto my list. I haven’t started it yet. But I’ve done the research, and I’m planning to play it on my gaming laptop soon.

This guide covers everything I wanted to know first: the best Oblivion Remaster mods, what reviewers said, how it compares to Skyrim, every platform including Switch 2, and whether it’s actually worth your money.

What Is Oblivion Remastered?

Oblivion Remastered is a full visual rebuild of The Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion. It launched on April 22, 2025, on PC, PS5, and Xbox Series X|S, and it went straight onto Game Pass on day one.

Bethesda built it together with Virtuos. The story, quests and world are the same as the 2006 game. However, almost everything you see is new, from the faces to the forests.

What Engine Does It Use?

Here’s the interesting part. The Oblivion Remastered engine is actually two engines working together. Unreal Engine 5 handles the graphics, while the original Gameboy engine still runs the game logic, physics and combat underneath.

That’s why the old Oblivion game engine quirks are still there. For example, NPCs still act a bit strange sometimes. Honestly, that’s half the charm.

Oblivion vs Remaster: What Changed?

In the Oblivion vs Remaster debate, the biggest changes are:

• Graphics. New lighting, textures, faces and armor. It looks like a modern game now.
• Sprinting. The original didn’t have it. The remaster does.
• Leveling. The old system punished you for leveling the “wrong” skills. The new one is more forgiving, closer to Skyrim.
• Combat feel. Hits have more impact, and the third-person camera works much better.

Is Oblivion Remastered Worth It?

Yes, for most players. It scored 82 on Metacritic on PS5 and Xbox and 80 on PC. In addition, it hit 9 million players within three months.

So is Oblivion Remastered worth it if you’ve only played Skyrim, like me? I think so. You get the full classic story with modern visuals, and the Shivering Isles expansion comes with it.

Sure, it’s not perfect. But at its price, it’s hard to beat the amount of content you get.

What Did the Oblivion Remastered Reviews Say?

Overall, most Oblivion Remastered reviews loved the visuals and the faithful approach. A typical Elder Scrolls Oblivion Remastered review called it the best way to play a classic. Critics praised the world, the quests and the Dark Brotherhood questline in particular.

However, the big complaint was performance. On PC especially, many players and reviewers reported stutters and frame drops, and some say the patches haven’t fully fixed it.

Oblivion Remaster Review: My Take Before Playing

My Oblivion Remaster review verdict, at least on paper: buy it, but check your hardware first. Performance is the main thing to check, especially if you’re on a mid-range gaming laptop. If that’s you, see my guide on how much RAM you need for gaming before you buy.

What Are the Best Oblivion Remaster Mods?

The best Oblivion Remaster mods fix performance, clean up the interface and smooth out old design quirks. Bethesda doesn’t officially support mods for this version. Still, the PC modding community jumped on it within days.

Here are the ones most players usually start with, based on this roundup of the best Oblivion Remastered mods:

• Oblivion Script Extender (OBSE). The base tool many other mods need. Install this first.
• Ultimate Engine Tweaks. Boosts performance and removes film grain and chromatic aberration.
• Better HUD. A smaller, cleaner compass.
• More Complete World Map. Shows more roads and landmarks.
• Unleveled Item Rewards. Quest rewards always give you the best version of an item.
• Faster Sleep and Wait. Speeds up waiting around.
• Horse Whistle. Calls your horse to you.
• Improved Camera. A tighter over-the-shoulder view.

How Do Mods Work on Consoles?

Unfortunately, they don’t, at least not officially. Oblivion Remastered mods are a PC thing for now. Console players are stuck with the base game.

What About Mods for the Original?

If you’re playing the 2006 version instead, the mods Elder Scrolls IV Oblivion fans built over almost 20 years are still around. Elder Scrolls Oblivion addons range from texture packs to full new questlines. In fact, many of the old mods for Elder Scrolls IV Oblivion are still worth a look if you prefer the original.

If you enjoy modding, I also put together a list of the best Cyberpunk 2077 mods. Same idea, different world.

Oblivion vs Skyrim: Which Is Better?

It depends on what you want. On one hand, Oblivion has the better quests and a weirder, more colorful world. On the other hand, Skyrim has better combat, a better map and dragons.

Skyrim vs Oblivion: The Short Version

In the Skyrim vs Oblivion argument, here’s how I’d split it:

Is Skyrim Better Than Oblivion?

A lot of fans say Skyrim is better than Oblivion for exploring, and I’d agree. Flying dragons over snowy mountains is hard to beat. But the Oblivion vs Skyrim debate usually flips when quests come up. Many fans rate Oblivion’s Dark Brotherhood and Thieves Guild stories as the best in the series.

So, Oblivion or Skyrim? For me, the guild questlines were always the best part of Skyrim, and everyone says Oblivion’s are even better. That alone has me sold. If you’ve played Skyrim, like I have, Oblivion Remastered is the obvious next step. After all, it’s the missing piece.

Where Can You Play Oblivion Remastered?

Oblivion Remastered is on PC, PS5, Xbox Series X|S, and, since August 11, 2026, Nintendo Switch 2. It’s also on Game Pass. If you’re still deciding between a console and a PC for games like this, my guide on what nobody tells you when buying a gaming PC covers the hidden costs.

Elder Scrolls Oblivion Remastered PS5

Yes, there’s a PS5 version. Elder Scrolls Oblivion Remastered PS5 owners got it on launch day, April 22, 2025. So if you’re asking “is Oblivion remake coming to PS5?” it already did.

As for the Oblivion Remaster PS5 price, it’s $49.99 for the standard edition and $59.99 for the Deluxe Edition. Most Oblivion Remastered PS5 review scores sit in the same range as the other versions, around 82. In fact, every Oblivion Remaster PS5 review I read flagged the same thing: great visuals, shaky frame rate.

Is There a Physical Copy?

Yes, finally. The Oblivion Remastered physical release came on October 13, 2025, for PS5 and Xbox Series X|S. Before that, it was digital only, which annoyed collectors. Then again, the Oblivion Remaster physical release was worth the wait for many. If you want an Oblivion Remaster physical copy, you can now find one at most retailers.

So now you can buy an Oblivion Remaster disc. Also, the Oblivion Remaster PS5 physical edition sits on shelves like any other game. Meanwhile, the Switch 2 version has a physical cartridge with the full game on it.

Oblivion on Switch

The Oblivion Remaster Switch 2 version launched on August 11, 2026, at $49.99 digital and $59.99 physical, according to the official Switch 2 announcement coverage. It uses DLSS upscaling to keep things running.

So yes, there’s finally Oblivion on Switch. Before this, Oblivion Switch players had nothing at all.

Oblivion PS4 and Xbox One

Unfortunately, there’s no remaster on old consoles. Oblivion Remastered Xbox One owners are out of luck, and there’s no Oblivion PS4 version either.

The only way to play Oblivion on Xbox One is the original Xbox 360 version, through backward compatibility. For PS4 Oblivion players, there’s nothing, since the original only came to PS3.

Oblivion on Steam Deck and Mobile

Oblivion on Steam Deck works, and the remaster was Steam Deck Verified at launch. Still, expect to lower some settings.

However, there’s no official Oblivion mobile version. Your best bet is Xbox Cloud Gaming through Game Pass Ultimate, which runs on phones.

What’s in the Oblivion Remaster Deluxe Edition?

The Oblivion Remaster Deluxe Edition costs $59.99 and adds a few extras on top of the base game.

• Mehrunes Dagon armor and weapons. Two themed sets.
• Horse armor. A wink at the original game’s infamous DLC.
• Digital artbook and soundtrack.

The Oblivion Deluxe Edition armor looks great, but it’s only cosmetic. If you already own the base game, the Oblivion Remaster Deluxe upgrade costs $9.99.

What About the Game of the Year Edition?

The Elder Scrolls IV Oblivion Game of the Year Edition is the 2006 version, bundled with the Shivering Isles and Knights of the Nine expansions. The remaster already includes that content. So unless you specifically want the original, skip the GOTY Edition.

What Does Oblivion Remaster Gameplay Look Like?

Oblivion Remaster gameplay is classic Elder Scrolls. You make a character, walk out of a prison and go anywhere you like.

After that, the main quest kicks in. Gates to Oblivion start opening across Cyrodiil, and you need to close them. But honestly, most players ignore that for hours and join the guilds instead.

How Long Is Elder Scrolls Oblivion?

In general, the main story takes around 25 to 30 hours. With guilds and side quests, plan on 60 hours or more. Completionists can easily go past 100.

Does Oblivion Have Multiplayer?

No. There’s no official Oblivion multiplayer, in the original or the remaster. Over the years, fans have tried multiplayer Oblivion mods for the 2006 version. However, none of them work for the remaster.

Is the Remaster a Downgrade Anywhere?

Mostly no. In fact, it’s an upgrade almost everywhere. Honestly, the one real Elder Scrolls Oblivion Remastered downgrade is performance. After all, the original ran fine on old hardware. The remaster, by contrast, can stutter even on strong PCs.

Similarly, some fans miss the original’s look, potato faces and all. Still, that’s nostalgia more than anything.

Also, if you’re on PC, keep an eye on your temperatures. Unreal Engine 5 pushes hardware hard. My guide on normal CPU temps covers what’s safe while gaming.

Oblivion Update Today

Bethesda has pushed several patches since launch, mostly for stability and bugs. If you’re looking for the Oblivion update today, check the patch notes on Steam or your console store. Don’t expect new content, though. These updates fix things rather than add quests.

Practical Tips Before You Start

• Join the guilds early. The Thieves Guild and Dark Brotherhood are the best parts of the game.
• Don’t rush the main quest. Oblivion gates get repetitive if you do them back to back.
• Use the new leveling. You no longer need to plan your level-ups like a spreadsheet.

Where Can I Buy Scrolls in Oblivion?

Usually, magic shops and Mages Guild halls sell them. If you’re asking where can I buy scrolls in Oblivion early on, try The Mystic Emporium in the Imperial City’s Market District.

FAQ

Final Thoughts

Oblivion Remastered is the easiest way to finally play a classic I skipped. The visuals are a huge upgrade, the quests still hold up, and the mods keep getting better.

If you’re on a mid-range PC or laptop, just check performance before you dive in, since that’s the remaster’s weak spot. And if you’ve just finished Skyrim, this is the perfect next stop. For more games in the same spirit, my list of the best RPG games has plenty.