Overview
- Players express frustration with the vampirism mechanics in Oblivion Remastered, expecting a gameplay experience similar to that in Skyrim.
- The Elder Scrolls series has gradually simplified its vampirism mechanics across its various titles.
- Players are confronted with harsh penalties, such as sun damage, upon becoming vampires in the remastered version.
The Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion Remastered has sparked notable discontent among players regarding its vampirism system. Those anticipating mechanics akin to those found in Skyrim have expressed their dissatisfaction, leading to spirited discussions about game design choices within the TES community.
Vampirism has been a longstanding feature within The Elder Scrolls franchise, dating back to its inception. Initially, in the 1994 release TES: Arena, vampires appeared solely as adversaries. It was not until TES II: Daggerfall that players were first allowed to assume the role of a vampire, integrating it as a gameplay mechanic. This installment introduced a complex system with nine unique vampire bloodlines, each boasting specific abilities and lore.
Since Daggerfall, subsequent mainline entries in The Elder Scrolls series have pursued a trend towards simplifying the vampirism experience, making it more straightforward and accessible. However, many newcomers to Oblivion Remastered are discovering that the transition to becoming a vampire comes with unexpected drawbacks. One user, LoTheReaper, voiced their frustration on Reddit, saying, “I HATE being a vampire,”a sentiment that resonated widely within the community of over 860,000 members, according to a report by TheGamer.
Among the most significant challenges faced by vampires in Oblivion Remastered is the damaging effects of sunlight. Vampires must navigate their existence carefully, avoiding daylight unless they feed frequently to mitigate the adverse outcomes of vampirism. This necessitates a major shift in gameplay priorities for those who contract the disease, with players deciding between fully embracing their vampiric lifestyle or seeking a cure.
The Polarizing Nature of Vampirism in Oblivion Remastered
Veteran players of the series have chimed in on these frustrations, pointing out the nature of vampirism in the game. As articulated by one Redditor, “Vampirism is a disease, not a cheat code.” While this statement accurately reflects the design philosophy of Oblivion, those familiar with Skyrim’s more forgiving vampirism system may feel justified in their frustration, especially since the latter imposes only minor penalties for failing to feed regularly.
In contrast, Skyrim’s approach to vampirism is significantly less punishing, allowing players to feed easily on any unsuspecting NPC without significant consequence. Such contrasts highlight the evolving design choices within The Elder Scrolls series, leaving some players longing for the more lenient mechanics of its most recent installment.