Shaun M Jooste 
ES Oblivion Remastered Review PS5 | Epic Fantasy Relived
"A timeless epic reborn: Oblivion’s magic lives on in this stunning PS5 remaster." - Shaun M Jooste, CEP
Operating System: PS5
Application Category: Game
4.7
Welcome to my ES Oblivion Remastered review for PS5, where nostalgia meets next-gen in one of the most beloved fantasy RPGs of all time. Originally released in 2006, The Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion was released as a stunning remaster for PS5 on 22 April 2025, bringing the epic fantasy adventure to life with modern graphics, reworked mechanics, and smoother performance for a new generation of console players.
Please note: Since we never reviewed the original Oblivion back when it launched, this review will take a comprehensive look at both the core game’s story and gameplay, as well as the upgraded elements of the PS5 remaster. It’s a full evaluation of the experience, classic and enhanced.
In this ES Oblivion Remastered review for PS5, I’ll walk you through the story experience, updated gameplay, audio-visual enhancements, and how it holds up in today’s RPG landscape. Whether you’re a long-time fan or stepping into Cyrodiil for the first time, this remaster has plenty to discover.
So, dust off your daedric armour, ready your spells, and let’s return to the fiery gates of Oblivion: this time, on the PS5.
Disclaimer: I received a free review copy of this product from Bethesda Game Studios. Still, this review is based on my personal experience of the game and is not impacted by the gift.
Story Review | Destiny, Daedra, and the Empire in Peril
In this part of my ES Oblivion Remastered review, we’re stepping into the burning heart of Cyrodiil’s crisis: a tale of prophecy, political upheaval, and demonic invasion that defined a generation of fantasy gaming. As an epic fantasy RPG, Oblivion Remastered on PS5 still offers one of the most sweeping and satisfying story arcs in the genre, blending heroic themes with rich worldbuilding and moral complexity.
A Prisoner’s Rise to Champion of the Empire
You begin your journey in a cold, stone cell: a humble, almost forgettable beginning. But moments later, you’re thrust into a world-changing mission as the last Emperor of Tamriel entrusts you with a mystical heirloom and a dying plea. From that point on, Oblivion Remastered sets the stage for a classic hero’s journey with real stakes, urgent pacing, and a brilliant sense of escalation.
As you pursue the missing heir, Martin Septim, and work to close the terrifying Oblivion Gates tearing through the world, the plot expands from personal survival to imperial salvation. Even without modern storytelling gimmicks, the narrative remains compelling, bolstered by strong voice performances and the weight of your choices across the main questline.
The Oblivion Crisis: Still a High Point in Fantasy Gaming
The Oblivion Crisis, the central arc of Daedric invasion and planar catastrophe, is a hallmark of the Elder Scrolls series. Seeing this story brought to life in modern resolution on PS5 adds new gravitas to the iconic scenes: charging through flaming gates, discovering ruined cities, and stepping into the Daedric realm itself still gives that unmistakable chill of dread and awe.
Oblivion Remastered has preserved the original’s story structure while polishing cutscenes and animations to feel more in tune with today’s expectations. For returning fans, it’s a powerful nostalgia trip; for new players, it’s a window into why this classic RPG remake for PS5 matters so much.
Meaningful Side Stories and Faction Depth
One of the most magical aspects of Oblivion Remastered is how alive the world feels beyond the main quest. Join the Dark Brotherhood, rise through the Mages Guild, become an Arena Champion, or engage in political intrigue with the Thieves Guild: these branching paths often offer richer, more layered storytelling than even the core arc.
Each faction questline feels like its own self-contained RPG with unique dialogue, locations, and consequences. It’s one of the reasons Oblivion Remastered on PS5 remains so immersive: it’s not just about saving the world, it’s about carving out your own story within it.
How Long to Play ES Oblivion Remastered on PS5?
The main questline in Oblivion Remastered will take around 25 to 35 hours to complete on PS5, depending on your experience with fantasy RPGs and your difficulty settings. However, if you plan to explore the world fully, completing faction quests, discovering hidden dungeons, closing all Oblivion Gates, and collecting rare artefacts, you’re easily looking at 100+ hours of gameplay.
As with many Elder Scrolls remastered titles, the real joy is in the freedom to play at your own pace, letting stories unfold organically as you explore.
Final Thoughts on ES Oblivion Remastered Review PS5 Story
To wrap up this story section of my ES Oblivion Remastered Review, I can confidently say the narrative still stands as one of the greatest in RPG history. Whether it’s your first or fifth time journeying across Cyrodiil, the epic fantasy tone, political drama, and Daedric horror hit just as hard now as they did in 2006.
The PS5 remaster breathes new life into the storytelling without tampering with its soul. It’s faithful, heartfelt, and undeniably timeless. If you love story-rich games that let you forge your own destiny, this is a must-play.
Gameplay Review | Classic RPG Mechanics, Modern Polish
As we dive into the gameplay section of my ES Oblivion Remastered Review, it’s clear that this remaster is more than just a visual upgrade. While it retains the depth and open-ended systems of the original game, the experience has been refined for smoother performance and more responsive controls on PS5. For fans of classic RPG remakes, this one successfully balances nostalgia with accessibility.
Oblivion Remastered remains a game that lets you play your way: stealthy thief, powerful battlemage, silver-tongued diplomat, or all three. It’s that freedom of approach, paired with an ever-unfolding world, that makes the gameplay so endlessly compelling.
Character Builds, Skills, and Open-Ended Progression
One of the most satisfying elements of Oblivion Remastered on PS5 is the character progression system. From the very beginning, you’re given full control over how your character evolves. Choose from preset classes or create your own hybrid, with a blend of magic, combat, stealth, and utility skills.
Levelling is based on usage: swing swords to improve your blade skill, pick locks to level security, and cast spells to grow your magical potential. The system rewards experimentation and playstyle variation. There’s a joy in watching your character organically develop into something unique over time.
Combat, Magic, and Stealth Revisited
Combat in Oblivion Remastered retains its deliberate, slightly weighty feel. Sword swings and block timing require attention, while magic use has been smoothed out with better casting animations and quicker hotkey switching on PS5. Archery still demands precision, but benefits from tighter aiming thanks to the DualSense controller.
Stealth mechanics, while a little dated compared to modern RPGs, still feel functional and fun. Sneaking into homes, pickpocketing keys, and silently dispatching foes adds a welcome layer of strategy, especially during guild missions. And of course, conjuring daedric allies or summoning fireballs in a dungeon still feels epic, especially with enhanced sound and effects.
Learning How to Play: Thoughtful Onboarding, Open Freedom
For new players unfamiliar with older RPG systems, Oblivion Remastered does a surprisingly good job easing you in. The intro dungeon acts as a mini-tutorial, teaching stealth, magic, melee, and inventory management in a natural flow. Each new mechanic is introduced when it makes sense: no walls of text, no overwhelming pop-ups.
That said, the game still maintains its signature freedom-first philosophy. Once you leave the sewers, you’re given almost no direction, which can be refreshing or intimidating depending on your preference. But for seasoned players, that’s the magic: you choose what matters.
How Easy is it to Play ES Oblivion Remastered on PS5?
Generally speaking, Oblivion Remastered runs very smoothly on PS5. Movement is fluid, UI elements have been cleaned up, and the game responds well to controller input. Inventory and spell selection are more intuitive than they were on older systems, and load times are near-instant.
However, one issue I did encounter, though not game-breaking, was an occasional glitch where quest markers didn’t appear, or required NPCs failed to spawn or show up at their locations. This can halt progression until you reload a save or restart the game. It’s a rare occurrence, but noticeable enough that it deserves mention. Hopefully, Bethesda will patch this in a future update.
Final Thoughts on ES Oblivion Remastered Review Gameplay Elements
From a gameplay standpoint, Oblivion Remastered continues to prove why it’s one of the most influential fantasy RPGs ever made. The systems are deep, the world responds to your actions, and the freedom of character progression and questing remains unmatched, even nearly two decades later.
Aside from a few minor bugs, the PS5 version delivers a smooth, satisfying experience that honours the original while subtly improving it. Whether you’re sword-slashing your way through Oblivion Gates or sweet-talking your way out of a bounty, there’s always something new to discover, build, or master.
Audio-Visual Review | A Classic World Reborn in Glorious Detail
One of the most exciting elements of the Oblivion Remastered PS5 release is seeing how the world of Cyrodiil has been reimagined for modern consoles. In this part of my ES Oblivion Remastered Review, I’ll focus on how the visual upgrades and audio design breathe new life into this epic fantasy RPG without compromising the heart of the original experience.
A Visual Upgrade That Respects the Original
The remastered visuals in Oblivion are a major leap forward, especially for those who played the 2006 version. On PS5, character models have been refined, lighting has been overhauled, and textures have been upgraded across the board. Towns feel more alive, forests feel denser, and dungeons are now filled with moody atmosphere instead of flat shadows.
That said, this isn’t a full remake. While the environments and architecture benefit greatly from high-resolution assets and improved shaders, certain animations and facial expressions still carry the slightly stiff charm of the original engine. For fans of classic RPG remakes, this balance between nostalgia and polish works beautifully.
From Imperial Streets to Oblivion Gates: World Design That Holds Up
Cyrodiil remains one of the most immersive fantasy settings in gaming, and the remaster makes exploration more rewarding than ever. The vibrant colours of the open countryside, the haunting glow of an Oblivion Gate on the horizon, and the rich detail of ruined Ayleid temples all help to reinforce that sense of place.
Draw distance and performance improvements mean fewer pop-ins and stutters, making the PS5 version feel seamless even in large-scale battles or open-world traversal. From the majestic towers of the Imperial City to the eerie plains of the Daedric realm, Oblivion Remastered preserves its grandeur while finally matching modern expectations.
Audio That Elevates the Fantasy
The sound design in Oblivion Remastered retains the iconic soundtrack by Jeremy Soule: sweeping, emotional, and instantly recognisable. From peaceful strings during travel to tense, rising percussion in battle, the music remains one of the game’s most powerful features.
Sound effects have been touched up too, adding more texture to footsteps, spell impacts, and environmental audio. Dialogue is clearer, and voice work, while still featuring familiar repetition, benefits from improved clarity and balance. On PS5 with headphones or surround sound, the world feels more alive and enveloping than ever before.
Final Thoughts on ES Oblivion Remastered Review Audio-Visual Elements
In closing this part of my ES Oblivion Remastered Review, it’s clear that the PS5 upgrade does justice to the visual and audio identity of one of gaming’s great fantasy worlds. While it stops short of a full-blown remake, the enhancements are meaningful and effective, making Cyrodiil feel rich, vibrant, and emotionally resonant.
For fans of epic fantasy RPGs, this remaster offers the best possible way to experience Oblivion today, with all its classic charm and a welcome layer of modern sheen.
ES Oblivion Remastered Review PS5: Final Verdict
In many ways, ES Oblivion Remastered is a masterclass in how to honour a classic while improving it for modern players. The heart of the original remains untouched—the freedom, the exploration, the lore—but the PS5 upgrade enhances the visuals, smooths out the performance, and makes the overall experience more enjoyable than ever.
While it doesn’t quite reach the level of a full remake, it doesn’t need to. This is a remaster made for fans of epic fantasy RPGs, and it succeeds in reviving one of the most cherished open-world adventures of all time.
What I Would Like to See in ES Oblivion Remastered PS5
The main improvement I’d like to see going forward is a post-launch update to fix some early bugs. The most noticeable issue is the occasional missing quest marker or absent NPC, which can temporarily halt progression and force a restart. It’s not game-breaking, but it does pull you out of the experience in an otherwise immersive world.
Adding more reliable quest tracking, perhaps with a toggleable pathfinding system for newer players, would help maintain momentum and reduce frustration without sacrificing exploration for veterans. Also, let’s add a Bestiary lore book!
Is ES Oblivion Remastered Worth Buying on PS5?
Yes, absolutely, especially if you’re a fan of story-driven RPGs or open-world fantasy games. Whether you’re reliving the journey through Cyrodiil or experiencing it for the first time, this Oblivion Remastered PS5 release is the best way to do it.
With hours of content, deep progression systems, memorable quests, and a world full of possibilities, it’s a worthwhile addition to any RPG library, flaws and all.
What Other Games Are Like ES Oblivion Remastered on PS5?
If Oblivion Remastered has reignited your love for fantasy worlds and immersive role-playing, here are some similar experiences to check out on PS5:
- Skyrim Special Edition: The spiritual successor, still one of the best open-world fantasy games ever made
- Dragon Age: Inquisition: Tactical combat meets political drama in a beautifully crafted fantasy realm
- GreedFall: A unique take on colonial fantasy with choice-driven RPG elements
- Kingdoms of Amalur: Re-Reckoning: Another remastered classic with flashy combat and deep lore
- The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt: For fans of rich stories, dark fantasy, and monster-slaying adventure
What I Liked and Didn’t Like About ES Oblivion Remastered
Pros:
- A deep, immersive world filled with quests, lore, and exploration
- Faithful remastering that enhances visuals and performance without losing the original’s charm
- Freedom to play your way: magic, stealth, combat, or diplomacy
- Meaningful faction storylines and branching quests
- Still one of the most iconic fantasy RPGs ever made
Cons:
- Occasional bugs: missing quest markers or NPCs
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