Oblivion Remastered: Devs Concede Leveling Flaw

One of the original developers behind The Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion has publicly acknowledged that implementing the world-leveling system was a misstep. Discover more about his reflections on the game's evolution and its enduring popularity years after release.

Original Oblivion Developer Praises Remaster’s Key Improvements

Oblivion Remastered Retains Controversial World-Leveling System

While the remastered version preserves Oblivion's divisive world-leveling mechanic, veteran designer Bruce Nesmith candidly admits its original inclusion was flawed. In an exclusive VideoGamer interview, the Bethesda alum—whose credits include Fallout 3, Skyrim, and Starfield—detailed how the remaster modernizes progression systems while maintaining authentic gameplay.

Nesmith particularly approved of abandoning Oblivion's restrictive major-skills leveling in favor of Skyrim's holistic experience system. "Redesigning this core mechanic took courage," he remarked, "but creates a smoother RPG experience for contemporary players."

The designer expressed less enthusiasm for the returning enemy-scaling system: "Having dungeons match player growth undermined that hard-earned progression feeling." He noted Skyrim's more balanced approach proved this mechanic could be improved, explaining why modders have consistently addressed it since Oblivion's 2006 debut—a trend continuing with the remaster.

Oblivion Remastered Redefines Modern Repolishes

Nesmith confessed surprise at the remaster's ambitious scope: "I expected mere visual touch-ups like Skyrim Special Edition. What we received transcends typical remasters—it practically demands a new classification." His praise highlights Bethesda's comprehensive overhaul, rebuilt from the ground up in Unreal Engine 5.

By leveraging modern technology, developers have revitalized Cyrodiil beyond original technical constraints, earning widespread acclaim. Game8's 90/100 review particularly commended this loving recreation of Tamriel—where classic RPG soul meets cutting-edge presentation. For our complete evaluation, continue reading below.