Insanely bold Elder Scrolls remake Skyblivion reveals off one more reason it isn’t releasing till 2025: refreshed dungeons with distinctive appearances for every area

Each time the volunteer group behind Skyblivion, a fan-made remake of The Elder Scrolls 4: Oblivion, comes out with a brand new dev update, I make the identical mistake. I determine, “I do know what they’re all about, I’ve performed Oblivion for one million hours, nothing right here can shock me.” Nicely coloration me stunned, the group’s newest growth diary actually bought me going. Skyblivion goes to do issues with Cyrodiil’s Ayleid ruins and Skyrim’s UI which have me giddy as a longtime Oblivion sicko.

The factor that constantly impresses me is how Skyblivion addresses one of many authentic game’s biggest weaknesses⁠—its repetitive environments⁠—whereas preserving the hazy, excessive fantasy daydream vibe that also has a hold on my psyche 18 years later. The brand new dev diary provides a peak of how the group’s persevering with that course of within the overworld with the autumnal Nice Forest area, however the true warmth is underground.

Ayleid ruins are these distinctive white marble labyrinths that dot the province of Cyrodiil, and once you consider an Oblivion dungeon, these guys in all probability spring to thoughts first. Their grey-green, haunted gloom and eerie music remains to be so pricey to me, however in case you’ve seen one, you have seen all of them. With a view to fight that feeling and make them really feel thrilling once more, Skyblivion can be differentiating them by area, with flashes of crimson ivy in Nice Forest dungeons or a flood of sand choking the ruins of the West Weald.

The Skyblivion group has additionally managed to get me giddy over their UI design, with the menus having developed considerably since they had been first proven off. As a substitute of a Skyrim impersonation of Oblivion’s look, it looks like an actual union of the 2, with new takes on Oblivion’s implausible illuminated manuscript class and birthsign artwork sealing the deal. For the true Elder Scrolls sickos, Skyblivion can also be cribbing Morrowind’s customized class menu, full with letting you sort out your individual taste textual content to your creations.

Most vital of all, although: Skyblivion is bringing again these motivational stage up messages from Oblivion and Morrowind, full with customized ones based mostly in your race and chosen class’ specialization (sneaky, fighter, or mage). “You understand that every one your life you will have been coasting alongside as in case you had been in a dream. All of a sudden, going through the trials of the previous few days, you will have come alive.” That is the stuff, man.

Actually, the quantity of effort from this volunteer group continues to astound me, and Skyblivion’s projected 2025 launch (making for a whopping 9 yr growth cycle) makes much more sense given this consideration to element. You may sustain with Skyblivion’s progress through mission lead Rebelzize’s YouTube channel, and in case you have experience you’d wish to volunteer (they all the time say they’re in search of 3D modelers), Skyblivion additionally has a devoted volunteer portal.