"Oblivion Remastered: Original Dev Admits World-Scale Leveling Error"

Discover the insights of an original developer on the world-scale leveling system in The Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion and the significant changes brought to its remastered version. Dive into how these updates have been received and why the game continues to captivate players since its initial launch.

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

In a candid interview with VideoGamer, Bruce Nesmith, a key designer behind the original Oblivion, has openly acknowledged that the inclusion of the world-scale leveling system was a misstep. Despite this feature making a return in Oblivion Remastered, Nesmith shared his perspective on the game's leveling mechanics.

With a rich portfolio that includes contributions to Fallout 3, Skyrim, and Starfield, Nesmith praised the adjustments made to the leveling system in Oblivion Remastered. The original game required players to level up major skills multiple times before resting to increase their attributes. The remaster adopts a system akin to Skyrim, where players earn XP across all skill lines, a change Nesmith considers both "brave" and beneficial for modern gamers.

However, Nesmith expressed a different view on the world-scale leveling system, which adjusts enemy levels in tandem with the player's progression. He noted that this system can make players feel that their level-ups are inconsequential, as the challenges in the game scale accordingly. Nesmith stated, "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." This criticism is not new; since the game's debut in 2006, fans have voiced similar concerns, leading to the creation of mods to alter this system. With Oblivion Remastered retaining this feature, the modding community has once again stepped in to address the issue.

Oblivion Remastered is More Than Just a Remaster

The announcement of Oblivion being remastered sparked excitement, but the extent of the overhaul has surprised everyone, including Nesmith. Initially expecting only texture updates akin to Skyrim: Special Edition, Nesmith was astounded by the comprehensive approach taken with the remaster. In another VideoGamer interview, he described the effort as "a staggering amount of remastering," suggesting that the term "remaster" might not fully encapsulate the scope of the work done.

Bethesda's decision to rebuild Tamriel using Unreal Engine 5 has allowed the developers to overcome previous limitations, resulting in a high-quality product that has earned widespread acclaim. At Game8, we awarded Oblivion Remastered a score of 90 out of 100, celebrating its meticulous recreation of Cyrodiil with modern technological enhancements. For a deeper dive into our review, feel free to explore our detailed article below!