1. Bethesda marked Oblivion’s 19th anniversary with a minimal social media post featuring a sweet roll with a candle.
2. Many fans were hoping for an announcement of the rumoured Oblivion remaster, which has been speculated about since leaks in 2023
3. The Elder Scrolls series has had a notably long gap between mainline entries, with Skyrim having released 14 years ago in 2011
4. Some fans are expressing frustration at the wait for both a potential Oblivion remaster and the next main Elder Scrolls game.

It’s common for gaming communities to develop expectations around anniversary dates as potential announcement opportunities. In this case, the 19th-anniversary celebration seemed relatively modest, leading to mixed reactions from the fanbase.

The Elder Scrolls Series: A Comprehensive Review

The Elder Scrolls stands as one of gaming’s most influential and beloved RPG franchises, spanning multiple decades and revolutionizing open-world game design. Here’s a detailed review of the main entries in the series:

Arena (1994)

The series began with surprisingly humble ambitions that expanded during development. What started as a gladiatorial combat game evolved into an expansive open-world RPG covering the entire continent of Tamriel. While primitive by today’s standards, Arena established the freedom of exploration that would become the series’ hallmark. Its randomly generated dungeons and vast world were impressive for the time, though its systems were somewhat unwieldy and punishing for newcomers.

Daggerfall (1996)

Daggerfall dramatically expanded the concept with a truly massive procedurally generated world (approximately 161,600 square kilometres) that remains one of gaming’s largest. It introduced political factions, a complex reputation system, and multiple branching storylines. The game featured an intricate character creation system and skills that improved through use – a mechanic that would become a series staple. Despite numerous bugs and a steep learning curve, Daggerfall’s ambition was unmatched in its era.

Morrowind (2002)

Morrowind marked a significant turning point, shifting to a hand-crafted world with a distinctive art direction that eschewed fantasy conventions for something truly alien. The volcanic island of Vvardenfell, with its giant mushrooms, insectoid transportation, and unique cultural aesthetics, remains one of gaming’s most distinctive settings. The game maintained deep RPG systems while improving accessibility. Its writing and quest design focused on moral ambiguity and cultural depth, establishing a new standard for worldbuilding in RPGs. Expansions Tribunal and Bloodmoon further enhanced an already rich experience.

Oblivion (2006)

Oblivion pushed technical boundaries with its advanced graphics and physics while making the series more accessible to mainstream audiences. The province of Cyrodiil offered a more traditional high fantasy setting with lush forests and medieval cities. The game introduced the acclaimed Radiant AI system for NPC behaviours and refined combat mechanics. While some hardcore fans criticized its simplified mechanics and level-scaling system, Oblivion’s vibrant world and improved gameplay brought millions of new players to the franchise. The Shivering Isles expansion is often considered among gaming’s best DLC offerings.

Skyrim (2011)

Skyrim represents the series’ commercial and cultural peak, becoming a genuine cultural phenomenon that transcended gaming. Set in a Nordic-inspired province, its rugged, snow-covered landscapes and dragon-focused narrative captured players’ imaginations. Streamlined gameplay systems emphasized action while maintaining role-playing elements. The refined dual-wielding combat and “shout” magic system provided satisfying variety. Skyrim’s modding community has sustained the game for over a decade with countless new adventures, systems, and enhancements. Its cultural impact is evidenced by continued re-releases across multiple console generations.

The Elder Scrolls Online (2014)

While not a mainline entry, this MMORPG adaptation eventually found success after a rocky launch. It expanded the lore by allowing players to visit previously unseen regions of Tamriel and explore historical periods only mentioned in the single-player games. Annual expansions continue to add substantial content and storylines.

Series Strengths

• Unparalleled Freedom: Few games match The Elder Scrolls’ commitment to player agency and exploration
• Rich Lore: A deep mythology spanning thousands of years with multiple cultures, religions, and political conflicts
• Immersive Worlds: Each game creates convincing ecosystems where NPCs follow schedules, and the world exists independently of the player
• Modding Support: The series’ embrace of community modifications has extended each game’s lifespan considerably
• Progression Through Action: The signature “skills improve as you use them” system creates natural character development.

Series Weaknesses

• Technical Issues: Each release has suffered from bugs and technical problems at launch
• Combat Mechanics: Combat has historically lacked the depth and polish of games focused primarily on action
• Main Storylines: Often less compelling than side content, with generic “chosen one” narratives
• Increasing Simplification: Each mainline entry has streamlined RPG systems, sometimes at the expense of depth
• Development Gaps: Extremely long periods between mainline releases (14 years and counting since Skyrim)

The Elder Scrolls series has defined open-world RPGs by emphasizing player freedom, environmental storytelling, and immersive systems. Despite its flaws, it continues to set standards for world design and player agency that few competitors have matched.