"Oblivion Remastered: Dev Admits World-Scale Leveling Mistake"

Dive into the fascinating insights from the original developer of The Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion as he reflects on the game's world-scale leveling system, now revisited in the remastered version. Discover why this feature was a contentious decision and how the game has evolved since its initial release.

The Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion Remastered Changes Applauded by Former Dev

World-Scale Leveling Remains in Oblivion Remastered

In a candid interview with VideoGamer, Bruce Nesmith, a key designer behind the original Oblivion, expressed his regret over the inclusion of the world-scale leveling system, despite its return in the remastered version. Nesmith, who has also worked on titles like Fallout 3, Skyrim, and Starfield, praised the modifications made to the leveling system in Oblivion Remastered, noting it now better suits modern gamers.

The original game required players to level up their major skills multiple times before resting to increase their attributes. Oblivion Remastered has shifted this to a more accessible system similar to Skyrim, where players earn XP across all skill lines. Nesmith hailed this change as a "brave" move by Bethesda.

However, Nesmith was less enthusiastic about the world-scale leveling feature's return. This system, which scales enemy levels with the player, was critiqued by Nesmith, who felt it undermined player progression, saying, "I think the world leveling with you was a mistake and that’s proven out by the fact it did not happen the same way in Skyrim." Since its launch in 2006, fans have echoed these sentiments, creating mods to adjust the system. With the remastered version retaining this feature, the modding community has once again stepped in to refine the world-scale leveling.

Oblivion Remastered is More Than Just a Remaster

The announcement of Oblivion being remastered sparked excitement, but the extent of the overhaul surprised even seasoned developers like Nesmith. In another interview with VideoGamer, he lauded the comprehensive approach, stating, "[It’s] a staggering amount of remastering. It almost needs its own word, quite frankly. I’m not sure remaster actually does it justice."

Bethesda's ambitious use of Unreal Engine 5 to rebuild Tamriel has elevated Oblivion Remastered beyond simple texture updates, allowing for a richer, more immersive experience. This dedication has been celebrated by the gaming community, earning Oblivion Remastered a remarkable score of 90 out of 100 from Game8 for its meticulous and heartfelt recreation of Cyrodiil. To delve deeper into our thoughts on the game, explore our detailed review below.