Bethesda’s The Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion took the gaming world by storm when it debuted in 2006, thanks to its sprawling open world, engaging quests, and diverse character-building options that included magic, melee, and archery. These elements truly set it apart from its contemporaries. Yet, it wasn’t just these strengths that players loved. The game became infamous for its delightful quirks—think awkward NPC dialogues, bizarre behaviors, silly voice acting, and the kind of physics glitches that could make even the most stoic gamer chuckle.
For nearly two decades now, fans have looked back at this classic with affection, spawning a slew of memes from its most absurd moments. If you’ve ever ventured onto YouTube channels like Bacon_, you’ve likely seen some of these hilarious Oblivion clips. So, naturally, I was a tad anxious when Bethesda and Virtuos Games released Oblivion Remastered earlier this week. My concern was whether they might have polished away the very imperfections that added to the original’s charm.
Fortunately, just a few hours with the remaster revealed that while the RPG now boasts enhanced visuals and refined mechanics, it preserves every bit of its lovable oddities. Peek into the top posts on the Oblivion subreddit and you’ll see what I mean. One standout is a beloved meme from Bacon_, which they’ve hilariously redone seven years later using the new remastered version.
There’s this classic clip from early 2018—with an astonishing 18 million views—where a thief NPC demands 100 Gold from you, then laughably dismisses the player’s attempt to steal it back, saying it’s “worthless to him anyway.” The absurdity of this encounter epitomizes the game’s wacky brilliance. It thrilled me to see the same encounter recreated in the remaster, complete with the same map location. Oblivion Remastered might deliver stunning Unreal Engine 5 graphics and smoother gameplay, but it remains true to the original’s whimsical spirit.
Bacon_ also revisited another meme, featuring Rena Bruiant exclaiming her love for dogs, only for her husband to abruptly attack one moments later. Although, I must confess, his original battle cry of “YEEHAUGH!” from the older clip made me laugh a little harder than the toned-down “Hough!” in the remake.
The fidelity of Oblivion Remastered to its predecessor likely contributes to its current success. It’s resonating beautifully with fans, and younger gamers are discovering it as a fresh Elder Scrolls experience. The game is making waves on Steam and is also accessible on Xbox and PC through Xbox Game Pass—though not on PS5. While the listed price is $49.99, savvy buyers can snag it for $41.49 on Fanatical.
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