Over the last few years, Bethesda seems to have drifted towards a more sanitized form of storytelling in games.
Though it has been a few days since The Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion Remastered was launched, the game has already carved out a distinctive space for itself in the gaming community. Designed as a remastered version of The Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion, which came out in the year 2006, it features overhauled graphics that have been made possible with effective usage of the Unreal Engine 5.
The improved graphics in the Oblivion remastered version contribute towards highlighting the dark motifs in the game. If you take into account some of the recent releases by Bethesda, you will realize that Oblivion Remastered has a very different tonality.
Also Read: The Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion Remake Could Be Released Before May 2025
The developer has been making a conscious effort to put together gaming properties that are family-friendly and much more accessible.
Owing to the presence of dark political plots, evil spiritual forces and deadly prophecies, both Oblivion and Starfield can be categorized as dark fantasy. The players, driven by the nature of the game, also contribute to its darkness and sinister appeal. Players get the opportunity to engage in activities like stealing and committing murders. They can also be a part of organizations that help them take part in such activities.
In Fallout 3, too, one has seen several darker themes and lore elements being explored. Players or characters are often seen committing atrocities. In the early 2000s, many Bethesda titles explored similar themes and this went on for a very long time. In the past, many have called out the developer for resorting to shock value again and again to create a sense of intrigue.
Also Read: The Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion Remake Could Be Released In June 2025
That being said, a large section of gamers remained appreciative of the fact that the gaming studio did not shy away from exploring bold themes to make these games appeal to mature gamers.
As far as Starfield is concerned, many criticized its sci-fi world-building, which came across as shallow. Its far-future world didn’t have the kind of tension and dynamism that one would have expected. Many also pointed out that the characters in the game are morally upright and almost one-dimensional.
Tanya Jacobs focuses solely on the fast-paced world of gaming, from PC to console. With nearly 2,000 posts in the niche, she consistently covers all major leaks, industry news, and game updates the moment they happen. You can find all her posts here.