Oblivion Remastered arrived with a snap—dramatic, attention-grabbing, and reigniting the glory of one of Bethesda’s most beloved classics for modern audiences. And while it did achieve what it set out to do, the hype surrounding the game faded not long after it arrived. Oblivion Remastered no doubt satisfied the curiosity of those who never played, while veterans could satiated their nostalgia for the title. That did not stop them from returning, en masse, to the comforting snowscape of Skyrim once more. Oblivion Remastered may have rekindled nostalgia, but its limitations were obvious. Between a shorter overall length and a modding scene that pales in comparison to Skyrim, the return to the Imperial Capital was always going to be short-lived. The shift back to Skyrim wasn’t just expected; it was inevitable. However, that’s not really a knock against Oblivion. The same would happen to Morrowind or any other Elder Scrolls game. But it does speak to the staying power of Skyrim.

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Oblivion Remastered is Putting The Elder Scrolls 6 in a Tough Spot

Oblivion Remastered made an important change to the original’s formula that’s very different from Skyrim, leaving TES 6 stranded between two extremes.

Oblivion Remastered is a Novel Compared to an Epic
Technically, Oblivion’s world is slightly larger than Skyrim, but the size doesn’t translate into more. Where Oblivion Gates, caves, dungeons, and forts will keep players busy for a while, Skyrim simply has more to do across its landscape, its factions, and its various stories. That’s because Skyrim came 6 or so years later, leveraging new and better technology to really become a definitive RPG. Oblivion was a stepping stone for Bethesda to reach Skyrim, so naturally it’s not going to have as strong a grip now based on core content alone. That’s not even the biggest contributor to this migration, however.

Skyrim Modding Scene Is a Siren Song That Is Irresistible

The biggest motivator of this migration is the active modding community around Skyrim. Anything and everything can exist in Skyrim, bringing players back constantly for new content that neither game has at its core. Perhaps official modding support for Oblivion Remastered would have mitigated this migration to some degree, but the simple fact is Skyrim mods have had a strong grip for several, several years now. Breaking that hold is impossible, even for Bethesda.
The Return to Skyrim Was Always Going to Happen

For many, Skyrim is a comfort game they’ll always keep coming back to, no matter what. It’s a title people return to not because it’s the best, but because it’s a malleable sandbox that’s as familiar or unfamiliar as they want it to be. With continued modding breakthroughs, a dedicated community, and a world that feels brand new every time, Skyrim is as much a 2025 game as it is a 2011 one. Oblivion Remastered was an enjoyable visit to the past, but underneath the myriad of impressive improvements, it’s still a remaster of a 2006 game. It’s not that Oblivion isn’t loved; it’s just that Skyrim is the ultimate fantasy sandbox that has a more lasting appeal. Oblivion Remastered was a nice flashback, but Skyrim is still very much the main character of The Elder Scrolls franchise.