MASSIVE Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion Remastered Accidentally LEAKS Online!

A fanbase divided, as screenshots leak out everywhere!

Newly leaked images and details from the unannounced remastered version of The Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion have surfaced via Reddit, hinting that the re-release will be arriving as soon as the end of April 2025. While Bethesda hasn’t made any kind of official announcements YET, the leak of these publicly accessible images from the website virtuosgames (now removed), outlines several interesting and notable changes that suggests to me that this 'remaster' is far more than just a basic visual facelift.

The leak appears to have stemmed from a pretty major oversight on the developer’s end, where the directory containing the website’s images wasn’t properly secured whatsoever. As a result, the promotional materials and comparison screenshots for Oblivion Remastered were easily accessed and quickly spread like wildfire online. The entire site has since been locked down, telling everyone that the damage control is now currently in full swing. While I've seen some speculate this might have been an intentional marketing tactic—capitalizing on the buzz and word-of-mouth among gamers— After further inspection, I'm leaning toward it was a genuine blunder that likely earned someone a serious internal scolding. Not that they should be too mad, I mean... this already leaked out during the court documents unveiling when Microsoft was first purchasing Zenimax, the parent company of Bethesda... In fact, believe it or not, prior to the lockdowns, this game was originally scheduled for release back in 2022!

Either way, the leak has fueled quite the discussion on X, and Oblivion Remastered is now a hot topic across all of social media. The cat is now out of the bag, it would seem...

According to the information I've seen circulating around today (thx @LegacyKillaHD), the remaster features several mechanical updates:

• Blocking mechanics are now reportedly inspired by Souls-like games, implying a shift toward more deliberate, timing-based combat.

• Sneak indicators have been reworked to be more prominent, making stealth play easier to track.

• The stamina system has been adjusted, potentially affecting how players manage sprinting and melee actions.

• The HUD has been overhauled for a cleaner, more modern look.

• Hit reactions have been added, giving combat more weight and responsiveness.

• Archery mechanics have been revamped, suggesting a more refined approach to ranged combat.

  
  

While the gameplay improvements sound pretty promising on paper, the visuals are sparking mixed reactions everywhere. IMHO, the remaster doesn’t exactly scream “20 years of progress.” It doesn't look terrible by any stretch, don't get me wrong... I guess what I'm saying is that the original Oblivion, which launched in 2006, had a certain vibrance to its world—lush greenery, bright skies, and a colorful aesthetic that made Cyrodiil feel alive. Maybe it'll be fine and just take some getting used to.

I don't want to come across as overly harsh, but at the same time, I'd be remiss if I didn't share initial concerns from the leaked Oblivion Remastered screenshots. They reveal major changes that, in my view, strip away much of what many would argue made the original game so visually distinct. The Ayleid ruins, which were once bright, magical, and almost glowing with a bluish hue, now look like dull, brownish hue, and massive concrete structures.

The originally vibrant and colorful landscapes that gave Oblivion its unique southern-European feel—lush greenery, thick forests, and moss-covered medieval bridges—have all seemingly been replaced with sparse vegetation and environments that look more like the American West than a high fantasy setting. Even small details, like the rough, uneven textures of the original bridges, have been swapped for smoother, more modern-looking construction that doesn’t quite fit the medieval aesthetic.

The remastered version, at least from what’s been uncovered thus far, seemingly leans heavily into a sorta brown-shaded, washed-out palette that dulls some of that overall original magic. It’s not bad-looking by any means, but at the same time... it doesn’t quite scream that whole “wow” factor.

Maybe this is just another sign that gaming visuals have plateaued, or... maybe it’s just an odd artistic choice. Either way, while exciting... I can't help but wonder.

Other elements feel almost equally out of place - with trees and bushes in the new version look smaller and more realistic, lacking the rich, exaggerated fantasy style that more defined the original game’s world.

The Spriggan redesign is another clear departure—gone is the humanoid shape with sexy features (of course, because modern gaming can't have hot girls), and replaced by something more generic and less stylized.

OG Spriggan design had some curves. Just sayin'...

While I do think some changes like the new sword, boat, and water effects are perfectly fine, they don’t make up for how much character overall has been lost in the transition. It’s hard to believe anyone with a genuine passion for Oblivion’s original atmosphere was behind these changes...

But again, this is just my take on the initial leak. Who knows if there's far more to all this still hidden behind-the-scenes, just waiting to be unveiled officially...

On top of that - If the leaked release window is accurate, Oblivion Remastered could be hitting shelves within just a matter of weeks. Oh and of course, it will include a deluxe edition...

Whether it’s enough to rekindle some of that magic of the original remains to be seen—but I'm sure we'll no doubt be keeping a close eye on what Bethesda says (or doesn’t say) in the coming days ahead.

~Smash