The Elder Scrolls series is one of the best video game franchises of all time, and even older titles are worth going back to. Right now, that’s easier than ever, because on April 22, 2025, Oblivion Remastered was shadow-launched. This version introduces numerous features fans had long requested, such as sprinting, better graphics, smoother combat, and fresh voice lines. But there’s one other feature that makes it even more exciting: Oblivion Remastered includes all DLC on all consoles.
Originally, players on PlayStation only had access to the Knights of the Nine DLC. That meant no spell tomes, no DLC player homes, and, most notably, no access to the legendary Shivering Isles expansion. The land of the Mad God Sheogorath could only be explored through the Game of the Year Edition, and even then, only on select platforms. Now, players across all systems can finally access all the incredible and innovative expansions the game has to offer.
Oblivion's DLC Is Something Every Elder Scrolls Fan Should Experience
The Shivering Isles Expansion Pack Is Legendary for a Reason
Oblivion was one of the first games to include microtransactions, helping to kick off a troubling trend in the gaming industry. The most notable example is the now-infamous horse armor pack, which added cosmetic armor to in-game horses for a price. Despite the controversy surrounding that DLC, the game also added plenty of worthwhile content. One of these was the spell tome DLC, something that Skyrim players will recognize as a feature that became a mainstay in the series.
Other content included a compelling quest and challenging dungeon to retrieve Mehrune’s Razor, a mission to repair a Dwemer machine known as the Orrery, and a variety of player homes. For example, there’s Frostcrag Spire, a towering magical retreat perched on a snowy peak north of Bruma, as well as the grand fortress Battlehorn Castle. Stealth-focused players will find the perfect base in Dunbarrow Cove, while Deepscorn Hollow serves as a sinister hideaway for those who walk in the shadows.
Oblivion also featured two major expansions, including Shivering Isles, which is widely considered to be the best DLC in the Elder Scrolls series. This expansion takes place in the Daedric plane of the Mad God Sheogorath, brought to life by the iconic voice of Wes Johnson. The player is tasked with aiding the realm and preventing its conquest by Jyggalag, the Daedric Prince of Order. While Jyggalag represents structure and control, his reign would strip the world of freedom and chaos. Through a series of revelations, it’s revealed that Sheogorath is actually the imprisoned form of Jyggalag, locked in a cycle of madness and order.
Shivering Isles Is the Best Part of Oblivion Remastered
This DLC Makes the Oblivion Remaster Worth Playing
Players love Shivering Isles because it’s more than just an Oblivion add-on. It’s the size of a full game and features one of the darkest and most compelling settings in Elder Scrolls history. Even better, Shivering Isles fully embraces the weirdest parts of Oblivion, with plenty of strange NPCs that are genuinely fascinating to interact with.
Many Elder Scrolls games feature excellent side quests, but Shivering Isles is home to some of the best, offering creative missions that let players do things like drive NPCs to madness or help someone build a skyboat. The expansion feels dramatically different from the rest of Oblivion and serves as a welcome departure from the more traditional fantasy setting found in other Elder Scrolls titles. Some players enjoy Shivering Isles so much that they choose to ignore the rest of Oblivion and spend their time entirely within this strange and captivating world.
Thankfully, the Shivering Isles DLC can be started at any point, whether before delivering the Amulet of Kings to Jauffre or after defeating Mehrunes Dagon. Players completing the Sheogorath statue missions will also notice unique dialogue changes depending on whether the expansion has been started or completed. There’s a strong thematic symmetry between the DLC’s conclusion and the main game’s ending, both touching on sacrifice and the extent to which heroes are willing to act for the greater good. Whether for the strange and compelling story or the unique rewards, Shivering Isles is a must-play for any Oblivion fan. While it can be accessed at any time, certain narrative and gameplay moments offer a more fitting place in the Hero of Kvatch’s journey, depending on the story path a player wants to follow.
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The Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion
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