The Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion Remastered made a massive splash upon its surprise launch on April 22, surging to the top of Steam’s global top-sellers chart and drawing in over 180,000 concurrent players within its first 24 hours.
Shadow-dropped by Bethesda with no prior warning, the remastered RPG quickly overtook high-profile titles like Counter-Strike 2, Overwatch 2, and indie sensation Schedule I to claim the number one revenue spot on Steam. It also became the platform’s fourth most-played game overall — and the most-played single-player RPG, ahead of Baldur’s Gate 3.
Currently boasting a Very Positive rating on Steam, Oblivion Remastered appears to be not just a nostalgic revival, but a full-fledged commercial hit.
The game’s success on Steam, however, is only part of the story. As a Microsoft-owned title (Bethesda is part of Microsoft’s ZeniMax Media), Oblivion Remastered launched day one on Xbox Game Pass Ultimate, meaning a significant portion of its player base is likely logging in via subscription on Xbox Series X|S and PC. A PlayStation 5 version also launched simultaneously, though platform-specific numbers remain undisclosed.
While Bethesda has yet to release official sales or total player figures, the momentum is clear — and the upcoming weekend is expected to drive engagement even higher.
A Technical and Artistic Overhaul
Developed by Virtuos and powered by Unreal Engine 5, Oblivion Remastered goes far beyond a simple graphical update. The visual upgrade includes 4K resolution, 60fps performance, improved lighting, textures, and environmental effects. But the more impactful changes come in gameplay and quality-of-life upgrades.
The remaster introduces:
- Overhauled character creation and leveling systems
- Improved combat animations and mechanics
- Revamped in-game menus and UI
- Brand-new dialogue and modern lip-sync tech
- A much-requested, fully functional third-person perspective
While fans have been quick to label it a “remake” rather than a remaster, Bethesda has maintained that the goal was to preserve the essence of the 2006 original while making it accessible and enjoyable for today’s audiences.
A Legendary Return
Originally released in 2006 for PC and Xbox 360 (with a PS3 version following in 2007), The Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion is set in the imperial province of Cyrodiil, where players take on the role of a hero tasked with stopping a cult bent on unleashing the demonic forces of Oblivion upon the world.
The remastered version gives both returning fans and newcomers a chance to experience the classic with modern enhancements — and judging by the launch numbers, that opportunity is being seized on a massive scale.
With its strong start and widespread availability across platforms and services, Oblivion Remastered looks poised to become one of 2025’s most talked-about RPG revivals.
