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

Discover the insights of a former Oblivion developer as he reflects on the game's world-scale leveling system and the extensive changes made in the remastered version, which have contributed to its continued success.

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, an original designer of The Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion, admitted that the inclusion of the world-scale leveling system was a misstep, despite its presence in the remastered version. Nesmith, who has also contributed to Fallout 3, Skyrim, and Starfield, praised the adjustments made to the leveling system in Oblivion Remastered, noting that these changes have made the game more accessible to today's players.

In the original Oblivion, players had to level up their major skills multiple times and then rest to increase their attributes. The remastered version adopts a system akin to Skyrim, where players earn XP across all skill lines. Nesmith commended Bethesda for this "brave" move, enhancing the game's playability.

However, Nesmith expressed reservations about the world-scale leveling system, which adjusts enemy levels to match the player's progress. He remarked, "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 system has been a point of contention since the game's initial release in 2006, prompting fans to develop mods to counteract it. With the remastered version retaining this feature, the community has once again stepped up to address the issue through modding.

Oblivion Remastered is More Than Just a Remaster

The remastering of Oblivion has exceeded expectations, surprising even Nesmith, who initially thought it would merely feature texture updates similar to Skyrim: Special Edition. 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 remaster is evident in their use of Unreal Engine 5 to rebuild Tamriel, overcoming the limitations of the original game. This dedication has been met with widespread acclaim from the gaming community. At Game8, we awarded Oblivion Remastered a score of 90 out of 100, celebrating its meticulous recreation of Cyrodiil with modern technology. For a deeper dive into our review, explore our detailed article below!