The wait is over, Tamriel fans! After a week filled with rampant speculation following leaked images, Bethesda has officially unveiled ‘The Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion Remastered.’ And guess what? It’s available right now!

Yesterday, Bethesda teased the announcement with a mysterious ‘IV’ post on their official X account and a YouTube link for a livestream set for April 22nd at 11 AM Eastern. Fast forward to the livestream, and viewers were treated to a nostalgic journey as Bethesda's creative director Todd Howard and art director Matt Carofano reminisced about Oblivion's pivotal role in shaping the franchise.

In their heartfelt discussion, they expressed a desire to recreate that magical experience for both new players and long-time fans. ‘Every time we think about Oblivion, it’s, “What if we can give people that moment again?”’ Howard shared.

This remastered edition, developed by Virtuos—a company known for its impressive multiplatform ports—offers a significant visual upgrade, utilizing Unreal Engine 5 to bring the classic to life on PS5, Xbox Series X|S, and Windows PC. And for Xbox Game Pass subscribers, it’s ready to play!

But it’s not just a visual polish. The gameplay feels smoother, the user interface is refreshed for enhanced quality of life, and players now have the ability to sprint! The leveling system is a blend of elements from both Oblivion and Skyrim, providing both nostalgia and modern enhancements.

Plus, this isn’t just a standalone experience; Oblivion Remastered includes all its expansion content, like the much-acclaimed Shivering Isles, often hailed as one of the franchise's best additions.

Initially, fan reactions on social media were mixed. While many were thrilled about revisiting Oblivion—a hallmark of the Xbox 360 era and a game that has sold over 9.5 million copies—some fans are eager for remakes of earlier titles like Daggerfall or Morrowind, considering Oblivion’s original release was a mere 19 years ago.

The Elder Scrolls series has consistently elevated its quality, with Oblivion marking a turning point in popularity, but it was Skyrim that truly exploded in fame, selling an estimated 60 million copies since its debut. Skyrim benefited greatly from the rise of social media, creating a multitude of memes that became ingrained in pop culture.

Despite any disappointment over the choice of remastering Oblivion first, hopeful fans are optimistic that its success might pave the way for new takes on earlier Elder Scrolls games.

In the meantime, it’s worth noting that since Skyrim launched in 2011, only one new single-player entry has hit the market—2014's The Elder Scrolls Online, while a sixth installment was announced back in 2018 but remains shrouded in silence.

So gear up, adventurers! The Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion Remastered is now available for you to explore and enjoy!