Action RPG

19 years later, Oblivion Remastered has renewed my interest in walking into people’s houses uninvited

BBG News

Even though I don’t always choose thief or assassin characters in Elder Scrolls games, I’ve found over time that I prefer the rogue types in Bethesda’s fantasy universe. Since my initial character in Oblivion was a Nightblade, it felt fitting to revert to mischief when The Elder Scrolls 4: Oblivion Remastered was secretly released last month.

Revisiting an old pastime from high school, I found myself once again rummaging through houses’ items and trespassing into dwellings while playing Oblivion, all in the name of discovering the quirks (if any) of each NPC and their lives. To this day, The Elder Scrolls 4 still manages to captivate – glitches and all – by creating the impression of a vibrant, living fantasy world. At times, I simply enjoy watching Cyrodiil carry on without my direct involvement.

What I’m saying is, even though I might be joining the Thieves Guild and possibly swipe some valuable items along the way to gain their favor, please understand that my true intention is mere curiosity. I’m eager to explore A Fighting Chance’s inventory and verify if First Edition’s Phintias possesses a private library within his quarters. The level of detail in Bethesda’s RPG characters and their environments has always been intriguing to me; it’s as if they have lives beyond our interaction with them, though their schedules may seem unseen at first glance. However, once you start paying attention, it becomes evident that these characters are far more than just static NPCs.

Touring Imperial City

Among all video game locales, Imperial City has grown to be one of my favorites. It’s not a vast, bustling city like some others might be. In fact, it seems quite ordinary compared to other fantasy game settings. However, there’s something about it that feels comfortingly familiar, like I’ve known its streets for years. Maybe it’s because I’ve spent countless hours zipping in and out of it, but I could navigate it blindfolded, and whenever I return, its welcoming atmosphere is always there (except during the climax of the main quest).

The design of this structure, circular and divided by districts, has made it highly recognizable. In reality, it served as an ideal fit for one of The Elder Scrolls Online’s top content packs. For me, the Market District is truly captivating. Everything is conveniently located, allowing you to breeze through numerous shops in just a few minutes, clearing out your inventory and filling your wallet with gold. The impressive stone architecture, featuring large blocks of stone, suits the Empire’s core perfectly, but it also lends an air of modernity to almost every interior in the city, making them seem like realistic rental properties I wouldn’t mind living in.

Infiltrating Amantius Allectus’ residence for ‘May the Best Thief Win’, I intended it to be a swift in-and-out mission, snatch his diary, and depart. However, I allowed Methredhel to take the victory (my career isn’t over yet) and wandered around, appreciating the rejuvenated ambiance thanks to Lumen-enhanced illumination and renovated belongings. Now even the most mundane spaces are transformed into something stunning, which is a pleasant surprise indeed.

During my initial play sessions with this version of Oblivion, it led me to reconsider my previous approach to ‘efficient gameplay.’ In the past, my most enjoyable times in Cyrodiil were spent immersed in the world and appreciating its small details. As a result, I’ve returned to being a curious ‘interior explorer.’ One place I particularly love is the Tiber Septim Hotel and its compact study. Additionally, I have a fondness for discovering hidden trap doors that lead to the Imperial City Sewers, which some might find strange.

Local flavors

Moving towards the most northerly point on your map reveals Bruma, a town with a hint of Skyrim’s atmosphere, but not quite identical. The massive church there is quite conspicuous compared to the Nord-style homes or simple, gloomy cabins that are common in this area. Many houses I’ve visited have a warm and inviting fire burning in the center, along with a few decorations, but it seems like Ongar, the Thieves Guild member, is blowing his earnings on frequent drinks at Olav’s Tap and Tack, another unremarkable establishment.

As a gamer, I can’t help but appreciate Bethesda’s knack for immersive world-building, and Oblivion is no exception to this rule. What truly sets this game apart is the rich character it develops through the intricate details found within each home and store, often hiding secrets or sparking unexpected quests. You never know when stumbling upon a crime scene will lead to an unscripted adventure, rather than being told about it and then playing out a pre-written detective drama. Hearing a strange sound? Ah, yes, that’d be a group of harmless critters swarming around a lady trapped inside her house with a cursed artifact. Quite the interior design, don’t you think?

Read More

2025-05-21 16:10

Previous post Error during authentication for model o1: Rate limited by Puter.js API. Try again after 60 seconds.
Next post MLBB auto battler Magic Chess Go Go to release worldwide