Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion Remastered and the latest games reviewed

RTÉ News​

10-05-2025

I say this every month, but the video games of 2025 just keep getting better and better -and we're not even halfway through the year yet.
From a masterpiece remaster to a spotlight on new mythology, to classic platformers and everything in between, recent releases continue to prove gaming is the most imaginative and interactive entertainment medium going.
Whether you've got 1 hour to spare or 100, the following recent releases are up to the challenge of keeping you entertained for the weeks and months ahead.
The Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion Remastered
Surprises in the gaming industry can be few and far between. And while a remaster has long been anticipated, I don't think anyone expected the shock release of Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion Remastered last week. No major announcement and no big countdown. It just appeared on storefronts, and that was it.
But with a reported 4 million players already venturing into Cyrodiil in just one week, it seems that when you remake a masterpiece, you don't need much advertising. Die-hard fans who remember the 2006 original will flock in their droves to re-experience one of gaming's most magical RPG experiences. So, just how does this revamped version of Oblivion stack up?
A major facelift breathes new life into a familiar world
The first and most pressing difference to this new entrant into the pantheon of Elder Scrolls is the graphical overhaul. Cyrodiil and its inhabitants have received a much-deserved modern facelift, which utterly transforms your experiences.
Granted, these are the same goofy-like NPCs you'll fondly remember, but with newfound details, nuances, and, let's be honest, distinguishable faces now. The contrast between new and old characters couldn't be clearer, and each one will involve equal parts of curiosity and nostalgia.
I feel like they've overcorrected on the art style here #OblivionRemastered pic.twitter.com/fKGn6EZDRm
— Milkshake 🍨 (@MilkshakeXS) April 22, 2025
Environments also have a new lick of paint, with textures and lighting that will make your familiar playthrough feel like a new odyssey. New features like sprinting are a godsend and will help you shave a few hours off your travels. The UI has always been cleaned up substantially, with insightful menus that give you all the information you need, as well as a refined map that makes playing more fun and organised. And yet, the essence of the original survives intact. You have that quintessential 2006 experience, but with a sprinkling of modern mechanics. It really is sublime.
For newcomers and seasoned players alike, the story of Oblivion remains untouched. You begin your journey as a prisoner who quickly gets caught up in the political drama of bigwig elites. Entrusted with the prized Amulet of Kings, your journey feeds into a much larger prophecy, where you must stop the forces of Oblivion from overtaking the lands before it is too late. No pressure! But aside from saving the world, this story is one of your own making.
In true open-world fashion, there is so much to do in the game that you can get to the pressing matters at your own pace. Oblivion allows you to craft your own epic adventure on your terms, with a seemingly unlimited supply of meaningful content to fight through. All the while, you're in control of your own hero and their destiny. Be as beautiful and regal as you want, or an absolute menace to the people around you. Whether you want to wield a sword, specialise in powerful magic, pilfer items or mix in a little bit of everything, the choice is yours.
This creative freedom is what made the original Oblivion such a triumph. And it's great to see the essence of that magic survives the remastering process. With heightened graphics, together with quality of life improvements, The Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion Remastered manages to strike the perfect balance between nostalgia and modernity.
Best of all, both Knights of the Nine and Shivering Isles DLCs are included, giving you the complete experience to the fullest. Here's hoping you still have some annual leave to spare so you can give this surprise delight the time and commitment it truly deserves!
The Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion Remastered is available to play on PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X/S, Game Pass, and PC.
South of Midnight
Mythology is no stranger to video games. Some of the biggest hits in the last few years have told (and retold) stories we all know from our favourite pantheons across the world. But there have been some notable omissions to the kind of locations we get to learn about.
South of Midnight is an action-adventure myth-inspired game that addresses this in a big way. It's a unique, supernatural experience stemming from the Deep South, covering folklore often overlooked by mainstream video games. Fashioned as a sort of Tim Burton-esque stop-motion game, it feels and behaves like a living gothic storybook.
You play as Hazel, an athletic young girl who discovers that she is a Weaver, someone who can mend spirits and allow them to move on. This power becomes invaluable as she travels the lands, restoring spirits and removing their trauma, all the while searching for her missing mother and uncovering her family's mysterious past.
It's hard to put into words how beautiful this game looks when you're exploring. Animals frolic from every corner. Thorny brambles begin to take over and add hostility to every corner. Levels are intricate, with endless tree trunks twisting throughout swamps. The shacks that you parkour over are dilapidated and impoverished, and from the outset, the environment seems to be telling its own underlying narrative.
To transform the mythical world back to vibrancy, Hazel must 'unravel' corruptions. She does this by defeating a variety of enemies around key points of the level and by also relieving folklore characters of their emotional pain and turmoil.
As a Weaver, Hazel can dash, dive, glide, and unlock new powers as she progresses. Combat largely centres on button-bashing, where Hazel will hack and slash at enemies with her mystic hooks, slipping powerful Weaver abilities as and when they're off cooldown.
Granted, combat can often be a tad repetitive, and I can't help but think the game could have pushed the mechanics into more interesting territory – or even forgo it altogether and focus more on a puzzle aspect. The setting is so interesting that it could pique your curiosity on its own.
That said, the abundance of storyline and cut scenes strewn between each fight can help break up the repetition and carry you through it all. Some of these stories are pretty dark and sorrowful, never holding back their emotional punch. They'll leave a lasting impression on you and then some, and hopefully instil an appreciation for the culture you're entrenched in.
With unique graphics, a beautiful soundtrack, and dark stories aplenty, South of Midnight is a grand voyage into the Deep South mythos. Across 12 to 15 hours, you'll find a new appreciation for folklore that you otherwise may never have heard of.
South of Midnight is available to play on Xbox Series X/S and PC.
Rusty Rabbit
Rusty Rabbit is a side-scrolling Metrovidivian game where you hop, jump and dig your way through a 2D world in ruin. Earth has entered another ice age, leading to all humans abandoning the planet. Over time, a race of highly evolved rabbits stake their claim on the planet, salvaging any old technology they can find.
The story and setting of the game are pretty unique and, at times, hilarious. The rabbits treat Peter Rabbit like a Bible, and are highly curious about the 'old ones' who left ages ago. As such, every rabbit is an explorer, tackling parts of Smokestack Mountain in search of junk, treasure, and answers.
You play as Stamp, a cranky rabbit whose gravelly voice immediately tells its own story, that he's probably had a hard life. As a seasoned explorer trying to mind his own business, Stamp comes into contact with rival junk collectors and becomes caught up in their quest to discover the mountain's mysteries. All the while, Stamp discovers truths about his life, and his relationship with an estranged daughter.
Gameplay is your classic platformer. Stamp can jump, sprint and grapple around the 2D environments with ease. Equipped with a digger, you must break blocks both to collect items to upgrade your mech and to clear a path through the many corridors of the mountain. There is a danger of repetition in the game. Thankfully, there's light combat sprinkled throughout, where you must fight various junk-inspired enemies dotted throughout.
Throughout your excursions, there will be obstacles you won't be able to overcome until later, requiring you to learn new abilities, upgrade your mech, and return to unlock the mountain's secrets. Ultimately, Rusty Rabbit is a budget-friendly adventure for platform enthusiasts. If you're itching for a reasonable Metroidvania for a reasonable price, it's a hop in the right direction.