Summary
The surprise release ofThe Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion Remasteredwas a delightful treat for both newcomers and longtime fans of thecritically-acclaimed series. Unsurprisingly, the remaster quickly found itself high up in Steam’s most played games list during its launch week, with over 200,000+ players on PC alone.
Just as the original did in 2006, the new remaster boasts some stunning visuals thanks to its use of Unreal Engine 5, breathing new life into the game. Not to mention making many of Cyrodiil’s most iconic and memorable locations look absolutely beautiful.
8Imperial Prison Sewers
First Impressions Just As Great As They Were Back In 2006
For a game with so many unique locations, the initial starting area may seem like an odd choice, not to mention it being a prison and all. Situated below the sprawlingImperial City, the Imperial Prison Sewers may not sound like a particularly “stunning” location, but the way it showcases the remasters' new graphical features makes a great introduction.
With its dark corridors, dotted with torches and only a few slivers of daylight coming through the various grates above, it’s hard to deny that it’s a great display of the game’s visuals. Making a big first impression on players in the new remaster, just as it did back in 2006.
7Chorrol
The Colovian City
Situated in Cyrodiil’s Great Forest region to the north-west, Chorrol is a Colovian city, located just near the border with the neighboring province ofHammerfell. Just outside its gates, its surrounding area also includes Weynon Priory, an important location earlier on in the game’s main quest line.
Containing its own variety of shops, services and guilds, the latter of which surround the city’s most defining feature, The Great Oak. Coupled with the city’s unique architectural style, it’s a fantastic display of the remaster’s use of Unreal Engine 5, especially when the large oak casts its shadow over the plaza on a sunny day.
6Imperial City Waterfront
The Capital’s Sprawling Port
The Imperial City is Cyrodiil’s capital location, which is divided into multiple different areas, from the bustling Market District, to its peaceful Arboretum. But the city’s Waterfront has to be one of its best-looking sections.
Situated in the southwestern part of the city, the waterfront is filled with a variety of ships and travelers, as well as a gorgeous view over Lake Rumare, which surrounds the large, island-bound city. Not to mention being the location of a certain “shady” guild’s initial quest.
5Frostcrag Spire
A Mage’s Dream Home
Frostcrag Spire sits in the mountains just east of Bruma, and serves as one ofOblivion’splayer homes. The tall, looming tower is certainly geared toward magic-oriented player builds,
The spire is divided into three main parts, with portals for all of Cyrodiil’s Mages Guild locations, and even a fully-stocked alchemy garden, with many other upgrade options for purchase. Featuring anything a Mage could want, Frostcrag Spire looks just as stunning in the remaster with its cold, icy theme and dim blue lighting, also providing a great view across the province from its top area, showcasing the remastered map in its full glory.
4Castle Skingrad
Located Within Cyrodiil’s Wine Region
Within the forest of West Weald that borders the southern provinces of Valenwood and Elsweyr lies Skingrad, an upper-class city known for its vineyards and wines. West Weald itself is already a gorgeous place to explore, with Skingrad being the main city it houses.
Filled with the usual services and guilds, with perhaps its best-looking area being the uniquely designed fortress of Castle Skingrad. Divided from the rest of the city by a grand bridge, even the walk-up to the castle itself gives a great view of the valley below, leading into its courtyard and interior sections that share the same high-class design as the rest of the city. Nearby, just southeast of the city, lies The Priory of the Nine, one of the primary locations inOblivion’s Knights of the Nine DLC, as well as apowerful set of armor.
3Mania
A Brighter Side Of The Shivering Isles
The Realm of Madness, better known as The Shivering Isles, is a plane ofOblivioncontrolled by the evil Daedric Prince,Sheogorath. The realm is divided into two main regions, the darker side of Dementia in the south, and the brighter side of Mania to the north.
The latter of which is just as fantastic to look at as it is unique. Its strange atmosphere, filled with lush, overgrown plant life and fungi, is a bit eerie in some ways, while also being downright interesting to explore, with its towering mushrooms almost reminiscent of the environment seen in the province ofMorrowind.
However, don’t be fooled by the intriguing colors and environment. This is still a plane ofOblivionafter all.
2Anvil
A Beautiful Port-City Along The Gold Coast
Just along the beautiful Gold Coast in the southwest of Cyrodiil lies the city of Anvil. Sitting just on the Abecean Sea, the port city is widely-known across the province for its flourishing harbor.
Anvil is rather small in comparison to Oblivion’s other townships, but still offers all the same guild halls and various services in its main district, but the standout part of the city is its harbor. Filled with a variety of different ships and traveling merchants, with a stunning view of the vast Abecean Sea and the city’s lighthouse in the background to top it all off.
Despite being a bustling area, the Anvil Docks are a rather peaceful area to walk about, or maybe watch Astia’s painting of the Anvil Lighthouse, a nice detail that is still present in the remaster.
1Gaiar Alata
“Paradise”
The location of Gaiar Alata, commonly referred to as “Paradise”, may seem quite fitting at first glance with its beautiful bright weather, flourishing plants, and colorful flowers all over. The irony in its name comes when players realize that, much like the Shivering Isles, “Paradise” is yet another plane of Oblivion.
This time, created by Mankar Camoran, leader of a Daedra-worshipping cult known as the Mythic Dawn, who the player will find themselves face-to-face with many times throughout the main questline. Despite the location’s dark background, it was easily one of the most beautiful locations featured inOblivionback in 2006, and this new remastered version stuns all the same with its visuals.
