5 Reasons Oblivion is Better than Skyrim

When The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim released in 2011, it became a cultural phenomenon. Dragons soared across snowy peaks, countless memes were born, and millions of players sank hundreds of hours into adventuring through its vast open world. I still remember entering that frozen tundra for the first time.  Yet, despite Skyrim’s immense popularity, many longtime fans still hold a soft spot for some of its predecessors, The Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion and The Elder Scrolls III: Morrowind. However, I have never played Morrowind (I know, an absolute travesty), so today we will be reviewing Oblivion. Released in 2006, Oblivion might look dated by today’s standards(thank Talos for the remastered and upcoming Skyblivion), but beneath its slightly awkward NPC smiles, lies a game brimming with charm, depth, and unique features that set it apart from its successor.

In this article, we’ll break down the top five reasons why Oblivion is better than Skyrim—and why, nearly two decades later, it still deserves your attention.

1. Oblivion Felt More Immersive

One of the biggest strengths of Oblivion lies in how alive and meaningful and immersive its questlines felt. While Skyrim often fell back on the tried-and-true formula of “go here, grab this, and bring it back,” Oblivion’s missions carried a sense of narrative weight that made you feel like you were truly a part of the world around you.

The Dark Brotherhood questline is the easiest example. It wasn’t just about killing targets—it was a carefully woven story. Each quest was intriguing and would draw you in. You had to carefully plan missions rather than just show up and take down the target. The Thieves Guild arc was actually about being a thief, not delving into dungeons. And don’t even get me started on how great many of the Daedric prince missions were (I’m looking at you Sheogorath).

In Oblivion, your actions felt consequential. You weren’t just checking boxes—you were living a role, unraveling stories, and making decisions that actually mattered. That sense of immersion made the game feel more like stepping into a fantasy novel, rather than just grinding through tasks on a quest log.

Don’t get me wrong, we here at the Brewtherhood love Skyrim, but it seems like it lacks some of the spirit that Oblivion had. By trying to cater for too many people and expand the audience, it ended up a little more vanilla. 

2. Guild Ranks

One of the simplest yet most satisfying features Oblivion had was the guild ranking system—something Skyrim largely skimmed over. After completing missions for the Fighters Guild, Mages Guild, Thieves Guild, or Dark Brotherhood, you would eagerly check to see if you’d been promoted. Each new rank came with a sense of achievement and a fresh icon and title that marked your progress. It wasn’t just cosmetic; it made you feel like you were genuinely climbing the ladder within these organizations.

This small mechanic added real stakes and personal investment. Every mission wasn’t just about loot or experience points—it contributed to your reputation, your standing, and even your interactions with other guild members. You could feel the hierarchy around you: allies and rivals treated you differently depending on your rank, and the sense of progression made the journey through each guild feel like a genuine career path in Tamriel.

Contrast that with Skyrim, where joining a guild often meant you were suddenly “the leader” by the end, with very little in-between. The sense of growth, mentorship, and gradual respect was largely missing. Oblivion gave you time to earn your place, and that small touch made the world feel richer and more rewarding for dedicated roleplayers.

3. The Fame and Infamy System

One of the things Oblivion did that Skyrim just completely skipped over was the Fame and Infamy system—and honestly, it added so much depth to the game. Every action you took, whether helping a local farmer or stealing from a merchant, actually mattered. NPCs seemed to remember you. They talked about you in the streets. They treated you differently depending on whether you were a beloved hero or a notorious troublemaker.

Skyrim, by contrast, largely ignored this kind of persistent social feedback. Sure, you could complete quests and occasionally see a minor reaction from NPCs, but the world didn’t remember you. Oblivion’s system made you feel like your actions had real impact—not just on your inventory, but on the people and the world you were adventuring through.

4. Horse Armor

Nuff said.

5. You Weren’t a Chosen One

One of the things that made Oblivion feel so engaging was that you started as a nobody. You weren’t some prophesied hero destined to save the world from day one. You were just another face in Cyrodiil, trying to figure out how to survive, grow, and make a name for yourself.

This gave the game a real sense of personal progression. Every quest completed, every dungeon cleared, every guild promotion—it all mattered because it was building your story. You weren’t simply following a predetermined path or fulfilling a prophecy; you were carving out your place in the world through your actions, your choices, and your reputation.

Skyrim, by contrast, throws you into the role of the Dragonborn almost immediately. While that epic destiny can be exciting, it removes the feeling of gradual growth and personal investment. Oblivion let you earn your heroism. You didn’t start powerful; you became powerful, and the journey felt earned. That subtle sense of agency makes the world feel alive, and it gives your character’s story weight in a way Skyrim sometimes lacks.

Summary

I don't want anyone to think we're just bashing Skyrim. Most of us here at the Brewtherhood have sunk hundreds of hours into it. We just feel like they lost a little bit of that creative spirit along the way. We have high hopes for TES 6 (if we're still alive), believing they'll learn from their mistakes they've made along the way, and deliver what all of us fans deserve. We've been buying Skyrim on repeat for 14 years, it's time we get the next chapter.