Skyblivion, the ambitious modding endeavor that’s revamping The Elder Scrolls IV with Skyrim’s engine, recently unveiled some new quest gameplay footage at the Community Creations Con (C3) as it gears up for its anticipated 2025 release.
Originally slated to offer around 30 minutes of quest gameplay, the presentation stretched to a delightful 40 minutes. It’s one of those classic gaming moments where you enter a building expecting to find a familiar NPC, only to discover they’ve whimsically relocated somewhere else.
Recently, the Skyblivion team reached a crucial milestone, completing the landscaping of Cyrodiil’s final region, the Niben Basin and Valley. The latest gameplay prominently featured the areas in and around the city of Cheydinhal. We had the chance to see quick walkthroughs of two quests: one for the Fighters Guild, requiring you to settle Biene Amelion’s debt, and a fan favorite, “A Brush with Death.” If that doesn’t ring a bell, it’s the quest that takes you into the enchanted realm of a painting to rescue the artist Rythe Lythandas using a magical brush.
The standout feature in both quests was the incredible detail and polish of Skyblivion’s worldspaces. At one point, project lead Kyle ‘Rebelzize’ Rebel strolled into Cheydinhal—a scene I’ve replayed countless times in both classic and modded Oblivion. It was heartening to see how the team preserved that nostalgic essence while refining the rough edges typical of 2006 game design.
In particular, the painted world quest showcased this blend of charm and innovation. While the original Oblivion’s version was a small but visually striking space, Skyblivion enhances it with a more complete dungeon experience that retains its artistic impact, despite Skyrim’s shift towards a more realistic aesthetic. The finale, resembling an unpainted canvas, was especially striking.
Another intriguing aspect is the revamped UI of the interaction menu, bringing a touch of Oblivion’s vibe to balance out the mod’s Skyrim-style inventory, compass, and map—understandable, given it’s all running on TES V’s groundwork. And speaking of unique features, ever battle a skeleton with a tail? Now you can, thanks to the modders who crafted distinct skeletons for elves and beast races, a step beyond even what’s found in Skyrim.
Although we don’t have a specific release date yet, the team remains optimistic about meeting its 2025 launch window. They confidently stated in the showcase, “We are confident we can get it out this year.”
What are your thoughts on this latest glimpse into Skyblivion? Share your opinions below! And don’t miss our freshly conducted interview with Skyblivion project lead Rebel, where we delve into the modders’ take on those circulating Oblivion remake rumors.
