After months of rumors and leaks, it seems that the question has finally been answered. The Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion remaster is real, and the screenshots seem to prove it.

Though beloved by fans, Oblivion was originally released way back in 2006. Almost 20 years later and the graphics of the original are not looking quite as great as they once did. Screenshots that seem to provide a sneak peek into what can be expected from the remaster when it releases.

In-game screenshots were found on developer Virtuos' website, the developer that has been tasked with crafting this long-awaited remake. The screenshots were then posted on Reddit, where they show locations from the original 2006 release alongside the same location in the new engine.

Though fabulously detailed and sharp with great lighting, many Elder Scrolls fans have noticed something a little off compared to the original release. The new screenshots have a desaturated look that makes everything look brown or orange. This is particularly noticeable in the heavily wooded areas. Plus, it seems like there’s less foliage overall.

Oblivion fans react to the leaked remake screenshots

This has greatly disappointed some fans, who took to social media to express their feelings about the apparent change: “I think that dreamlike, lush, sometimes almost feverish atmosphere is a big part of Oblivion’s charm,” said Videogame Beaches on BlueSky, “and fits perfectly with many of the quests.”

Other users on Reddit agreed: “I wish it didn’t have such a different color scheme, though that might just be the lighting,” said u/Moominesque, “Oblivion is such a colorful game, especially after the dreariness of Skyrim.”

The upcoming Skyblivion mod is closer to the original look

Previous leaks suggested that the remaster will be using Unreal Engine 5, which can provide high-quality graphics suitable for a modern game, but fans are worried it will lose some of its charm. Though even if the remastered Oblivion does suffer from an overdose of brown, there is a solution, as the Elder Scrolls modding community is massive, dedicated, and creative.

Skyblivion, as the name suggests, is a reimagining of Oblivion inside the Skyrim engine. The impressive mod has been in development for some time now, and screenshots from the mod reveal it sticks more to the original’s vibrant green color palette.

About the Author

Rebecca Hills-Duty

Writing and journalism experience at VRFocus, UploadVR, The Escapist, HTC, PC Gamer, Tech Radar+ and Dexerto. Can sometimes be found playing with retro tech.