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

Discover the insights of an original developer on the controversial world-scale leveling system in The Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion and how it has shaped the remastered version of this beloved classic.

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

In a candid revelation, a former developer of The Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion has admitted that the inclusion of the world-scale leveling system was a misstep, despite its presence in the remastered edition. Bruce Nesmith, an original designer of Oblivion, shared his insights in a recent interview with VideoGamer, reflecting on the game's leveling mechanics.

Nesmith, who has also contributed to titles like Fallout 3, Skyrim, and Starfield, commended the modifications made to the leveling system in Oblivion Remastered. Unlike the original, where players had to level up major skills multiple times before resting to increase attributes, the remaster adopts a system closer to Skyrim, where experience points are earned across all skill lines. Nesmith described Bethesda's move as "brave," enhancing the game's appeal to contemporary audiences.

However, Nesmith expressed reservations about the world-scale leveling system's return. This feature, which scales enemy levels with the player's progression, was criticized for diminishing the sense of achievement. Nesmith noted, "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 issue, raised by fans since the game's 2006 launch, led to the creation of mods to counteract the system, and with Oblivion Remastered retaining this feature, the modding community has once again stepped in to address it.

Oblivion Remastered is More Than Just a Remaster

The remastering of Oblivion has surprised many with the extent of its overhaul. Nesmith, expecting mere texture updates akin to Skyrim: Special Edition, was astounded by the comprehensive rework. In another interview with VideoGamer, he lauded the team's efforts, 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 commitment to the project is evident, having rebuilt the world of Tamriel using Unreal Engine 5. This technological leap has allowed for a quality that transcends the original's limitations, earning widespread acclaim from the gaming community. At Game8, we awarded Oblivion Remastered a stellar 90 out of 100, celebrating its faithful and beautifully enhanced recreation of Cyrodiil. Dive deeper into our review and analysis in the article linked below!