This week, Bethesda made waves in the gaming community by announcing and releasing “Oblivion Remastered” on the same day—a move that surprised almost no one given the numerous hints over the past years. The remastered version of this classic stands out as a stellar example of how to rejuvenate a beloved game, thanks to a significant graphical upgrade powered by Unreal Engine 5. While it maintains everything that made the original “Oblivion” special, from memorable quirks to iconic memes, it introduces a noteworthy new feature that transforms the dungeon-crawling experience.
Dungeons have long been a cornerstone of “The Elder Scrolls” series, capturing fans’ imaginations from “The Elder Scrolls Online” to “Skyrim.” The original “Oblivion” presented sprawling, maze-like environments—a thrilling yet sometimes frustrating aspect for players. However, the remastered version addresses this without losing its charm.
Before “Oblivion,” earlier entries had features allowing players to easily exit dungeons post-completion. For reasons tied to design or other considerations, this wasn’t fully implemented in “Oblivion.” “Oblivion Remastered” doesn’t outright solve this but ingeniously offers a workaround with the new Clairvoyance spell. This spell not only guides players to quest objectives but can cleverly lead them out of dungeons via the shortest route.
Players can activate any quest outside a dungeon and then use Clairvoyance to find the quickest exit. This improvement is a godsend, eliminating the grind of retracing steps or constantly checking cumbersome maps. Though its primary function is quest-tracking, Clairvoyance fundamentally enhances the player’s journey back to open spaces.
Unlike “Skyrim,” where dungeons often loop back to their starting point, “Oblivion Remastered” stays true to the original’s layout—large, intricate areas sometimes divided by loading screens. There are a few looped dungeons, but they are rare, making the Clairvoyance spell even more valuable.
Even though it’s a new addition, Clairvoyance is completely optional. Players seeking an authentic experience can avoid using it, as quests can still be completed the traditional way. The spell is briefly introduced in a new tutorial section, but it doesn’t create an unfair edge. It’s a tool, not a crutch, and enriches the remastered game by simplifying certain challenges without altering the essence of “Oblivion.”