Loved Skyrim? What to Know Before Starting Oblivion Remastered

If Skyrim left you wanting more Elder Scrolls, Oblivion Remastered is an obvious next stop. You can create a character, walk away from the main quest and lose an afternoon to a guild or a cave you spotted on the road. But Cyrodiil has a personality of its own, and expecting Skyrim with a greener map misses what makes the trip worthwhile.

We think the best reason to visit is the mix of familiar freedom and a different tone. Here is what a Skyrim player should know before heading through the gates.

Skyrim’s mountain passes and Nordic settlements give it a rugged identity. Oblivion takes you to Cyrodiil: a province of cities, forests and roads, with a brighter visual character even when the main story turns dark. The appeal is still the freedom to choose a direction, but the atmosphere is not the same.

That contrast is a strength in our view. If you want another place that feels exactly like Whiterun, you may miss Skyrim’s mood. If you want to see another side of Tamriel, Cyrodiil is a compelling reason to move on.

Oblivion’s guild questlines give you an excellent excuse to step away from the main story. Whether you are drawn to the Fighters Guild, Mages Guild, Thieves Guild or Dark Brotherhood, joining a faction can provide its own path through the world.

Our advice is to let the one that suits your character pull you in rather than treating every marker as a task to clear. For players who loved Skyrim’s factions, this is one of the clearest reasons to try its predecessor.

The original Oblivion is still available, but the 2025 remaster gives newcomers another way in. Bethesda describes updated visuals and gameplay refinements, including a redesigned leveling system inspired by both Oblivion and Skyrim. That distinction matters: advice about the original game’s progression will not always apply unchanged to the remaster.

We would start with the remaster if modern presentation and quality-of-life changes matter to you. The original remains an option if you are curious about the 2006 release itself. Either way, the heart of the recommendation is Cyrodiil, not a promise that every system will feel like Skyrim.

Choose Oblivion if you want another Elder Scrolls province, faction stories and the freedom to invent your own detours. Look elsewhere if the very specific atmosphere of snowy Skyrim is the only thing you want more of. For us, its different character is exactly why it deserves a place on your list.