Beloved Oblivion Meme Reimagined 7 Years Later in Oblivion Remastered

When The Elder Scrolls 4: Oblivion hit the scene in 2006, it took the gaming world by storm. Gamers were captivated by its sprawling open world, compelling quests, and countless ways to customize your character—whether you leaned into magic, melee, or archery. It was these elements that distinguished Oblivion from its contemporaries. Yet, it also quickly gained a reputation for what some might affectionately call its “endearing awkwardness.” Think of those hilariously awkward NPC dialogues, oddball behaviors, quirky voiceovers, and those unforgettable physics glitches.

For years, fans have looked back on this classic with nostalgia, resulting in a variety of memes that have kept the game’s spirit alive on platforms like YouTube, notably on channels such as Bacon_. So, when Bethesda unexpectedly launched Oblivion Remastered this past week, I felt both excitement and a little apprehension. I couldn’t help but worry that partnering with Virtuos Games might lead them to “polish away” the charming absurdities that made the original so beloved.

However, within hours of the remaster’s release, it was clear that while the game received a modern facelift both visually and mechanically, it retained all the delightful quirks that fans adored. Just a quick glance at what’s trending on the Oblivion subreddit confirms it. One standout is a classic meme from Bacon_ that’s been updated after seven years for the remaster—but it hasn’t lost any of its original hilarity.

Back in early 2018, a YouTube clip—racketing up an astonishing 18 million views—captured an awkwardly comedic scenario where an NPC thief demands gold from the player but amusingly doesn’t bat an eye when the player steals it right back. “It’s worthless to me anyway,” the thief shrugs it off, perfectly embodying the delightful absurdity of Oblivion. Seeing that this iconic scene plays out identically in the remaster, even down to the exact spot on the map, is all sorts of wonderful. While Oblivion Remastered showcases the striking prowess of Unreal Engine 5 and offers smoother combat mechanics, it stays true to the original in heart and spirit.

Bacon_ also brought back another fan favorite, where Rena Bruiant professes her love for dogs, only for her husband to launch an attack on their pet seconds later. As charming as it is, some purists might miss the gusto of the original “YEEHAUGH!” battle cry over the more subdued “Hough!” that features in the updated version.

The remaster’s success is likely due to how closely it sticks to the original formula. This loyalty resonates with longtime fans and presents something fresh for new players experiencing the game as if it was a brand new Elder Scrolls title. Oblivion Remastered is turning heads on Steam and is accessible to Xbox and PC users, available on Xbox Game Pass as well (sorry, PS5 players). If you’re considering picking it up, the MSRP is $49.99, but you can snag it for $41.49 through Fanatical.