The Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion Remastered has been one of the biggest video game launches of the year, selling millions of copies. It’s been a nostalgic return to Oblivion, but Bethesda’s remaster (seen in the image above) won’t be the only way to experience this fantasy world, as Skyblivion is coming later this year.
In development since 2012, Skyblivion will finally be seeing the light of day in 2025. A fan-made remake of The Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion, this will be an alternative to playing the Oblivion remaster which came out this April. Well, more than an alternative, as Skyblivion will likely offer quite a different experience than Bethesda’s official remaster, as it’s a reimagining of the classic 2006 RPG.
So said Skyblivion’s project lead Rebelzize in a recent interview with PC Gamer, stating that that’s “where the power of a proper remake comes from, and where I hope we will have some relevance and staying power within internet culture and the Elder Scrolls fandom”.
Of course, Bethesda’s Oblivion Remastered is a pretty great experience. It’s graphically gorgeous – the fantasy province of Cyrodil has never looked this good – plus quality of life and other improvements make it the best way to enjoy the vanilla Oblivion experience. Unsurprisingly, it has a solid 80+ Metacritic score, even if it’s gameplay is dated and feels like a 2006 game at heart.
Bethesda’s Oblivion remaster looks fantastic, but plays much the same as the original game.
One way in which Skyblivion will spice things up is by revamping Oblivion’s dungeons in order to make raiding these more interesting in the game. Specifically, the lack of reward and oftentimes challenge is something the Skyblivion devs are looking to improve on according to Rebelzize.
“Most of the time there’s nothing at the end. There’s no boss or loot or anything to make that delve rewarding”, said the man about the original Oblivion experience and the remaster. “That’s something I’ve been trying to really hammer on with everyone in the teams, that we make the dungeons fun”, added Rebelzize in the interview.
Also, having to backtrack in order to get back to the dungeon’s entrance in order to exit was something of a chore in Oblivion (and also in this year’s remaster), something that too has been addressed in Skyblivion.
“The easiest example is something that was introduced in Skyrim… once you’re at the boss chamber, the final area, you get a loop back to where you started”, said Rebelzize.
Those surely are strong reasons why gamers should be looking forward to Skyblivion.
Additionally, the game’s forts, caves and other dungeons exteriors are getting a makeover, looking more impressive outside too, as seen in a series of comparison screenshots put out by the Skyblivion team on their website.
For instance, the Pale Pass fort has a suitably imposing and majestic exterior now.
Skyblivion will feature revamped dungeon interiors, but exteriors are getting a makeover too…
The Skyblivion development team recently posted on X how exploring Ayleid ruins “will feel like unique adventures”, meaning exploring the elven ruins in the game could be a more enjoyable experience than in the remaster.
The team has also bragged about how boss encounters in dungeons and elsewhere will be more difficult, often involving multi-stage fights, so Oblivion’s infamous Umbra, an elven warrior who delves in an Alyleid ruin, will likely be much harder to beat in Skyblion than in Oblivion Remastered…
With new hand-made details, the Ayleid ruins you explore in #Skyblivion will feel like unique adventures.
Reply below with other locations you would like us to tease next!
Credit: Hinimoto pic.twitter.com/UNXwu30kyp
— Skyblivion (@TESRSkyblivion) June 3, 2025
Also, getting to fight a variety of goblin tribes (instead of Oblivion’s generic goblins) should keep things interesting, so should other new details added to the remake that were revealed a while ago.
New music and sound effects should also spice things up, but what’s clear is that those who’ve played the recent Oblivion remaster have reasons to look forward to Skyblivion, no doubt.
Of course, this not being a professionally produced game (it’s made by volunteers and is one huge mod for Bethesda’s earlier game Skyrim) means quality and consistency could suffer, but the Skyblivion team do seem to be pouring their hearts and minds into a remake that may yet turn out to be one of the year’s best games.