You’d be forgiven for just having finishedThe Elder Scrolls 4: Oblivion Remastered- it’s easily one of the biggest and most expansive games to have come out this year, and it takes a while to get through. Personally, I still haven’t even finished it - although I’ve cut a path through Cyrodiil and completed thegrand majority of the guild questlines, I’ve still scarcely even touched the main story, not to mention the DLC.
I’m taking my time, in part, because I know that there’ll be anOblivion-sized hole in my heart from the moment I finish. It’s happened before, almost every time I play through the game: really nothing can live up to its immersive exploration, its peaceful atmosphere,its delightful absurdity. It’s too soon to play it again, but nothing else compares. However,I think I’ve finally found the perfect thing to follow up anOblivionplaythrough, and, if you’re about done with your run of the remaster, it’s worth checking out.
Echoes Of Oblivion May Be The Perfect Mod After Oblivion
New Characters, New Dialogue, & More
Echoes of Oblivion, created byJobiWanUKon Nexus Mods, is a new mod forSkyrim Special Editionthat adds a little bit of Cyrodiil flavor to Tamriel’s north.It brings several new features toSkyrimbased on ideas and mechanics fromOblivion- the mod’s description specifically recommends it to those who have just beaten the remaster.
First and foremost,Echoes of Oblivion adds radiant dialogue toSkyrim, so you’ll regularly listen to NPCs chatting about mudcrabs (horrible creatures) whenever you stroll through town. NPC conversations will also factor in your current and completed quests, so you may overhear them discussingthe dastardly deeds of the Thieves Guildwhile you walk past them unbeknownst.
The mod also comes with a new, optional high-poly design for certain characters throughout the world.
You’ll also find that guards will comment directly on your skills, and occasionally have dramatic,Oblivion-style reactions to dead bodies. This is all accomplished with the addition of23 vanilla voice types and almost 4,500 lines of dialoguetoSkyrim.
Besides that,nine new NPCs based on characters fromOblivionhave been introduced, along with a whole host of Easter eggs referencingOblivion. The mod also comes with a new, optional high-poly design for certain characters throughout the world.
Skyrim Is Worth Replaying With Some Oblivion Remastered Flair
A Match Made In Heaven
It may be a lukewarm take at this point, butOblivionis a better RPG thanSkyrim. You have to put thought into building your character, your quest choices actually matter, and the NPCs, though often ridiculous, feel more alive.Skyrimprioritized player freedom and exploration, and it does very well at those two things, but at timesits core RPG systems sufferas a result.
Echoes of Oblivion doesn’t change these, but that’s part of the reason why it’s the perfect follow-up toOblivion Remastered. Playing withSkyrim’s combat and progression systems will feel different enough that you won’t get bored, but it’ll have a touch of classicOblivionimmersion - just enough to fill that niche. If you’ve just beatenThe Elder Scrolls 4: Oblivion Remasteredand are looking for your next adventure, this mod could be the perfect thing.
