Vile Lair Reborn: What We Want From an Oblivion Remastered

Delving into Deepscorn Hollow: Unearthing the Vile Lair DLC

The rolling hills of Cyrodiil, the arcane halls of the Mages Guild, the epic battles against the forces of Oblivion – The Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion left an indelible mark on the gaming landscape. Its open-world freedom, compelling quests, and rich lore cemented its status as a classic. Years later, the whispers and clamoring for an Oblivion remaster are growing louder. While improved graphics and smoother gameplay are obvious desires, a remaster presents a golden opportunity to breathe new life into some of Oblivion’s less celebrated aspects, including its downloadable content. One such example is Vile Lair, a DLC that offered a taste of the darker side of Tamriel. An Oblivion Remastered presents a perfect opportunity to revitalize Vile Lair, enhancing its features, fixing its flaws, and fully realizing its potential. This article explores what improvements we desperately want to see in a remastered version of Vile Lair.

Delving into Deepscorn Hollow: Unearthing the Vile Lair DLC

Before discussing the potential improvements, it’s crucial to understand what the Vile Lair DLC offered in the original Oblivion. The core concept was undeniably appealing: the player could acquire a hidden, evil lair known as Deepscorn Hollow. This wasn’t just any player home; it was a haven for nefarious activities, a place where you could indulge your darker impulses (or at least, attempt to).

The lair itself boasted several unique features. It included living quarters, albeit with a decidedly sinister aesthetic. There was a torture chamber, hinting at the potential for interrogation and darker dealings. A training room allowed for honing combat skills. Perhaps most interestingly, it had a garden where poisonous plants could be cultivated, adding a distinct alchemical element to the gameplay. Finally, you could acquire dark minions, ostensibly to serve your evil whims.

Vile Lair wasn’t entirely without its quests. You could, for instance, seek out a special Surgeon to provide some medical aid to your minions and help you with… other things. However, the quests were ultimately limited in scope and didn’t fully capitalize on the promise of running an evil organization.

Where the Darkness Faded: The Shortcomings of the Original Vile Lair

Despite its intriguing premise, the original Vile Lair DLC fell short of expectations for many players. Several shortcomings prevented it from being a truly compelling experience.

A significant issue was the lack of depth. The lair felt remarkably static and unengaging. There was limited opportunity to customize it beyond the initial upgrades, and the day-to-day management of Deepscorn Hollow was nonexistent.

The “evil” aspects were often superficial. While the torture chamber and poisonous garden hinted at dark possibilities, they were rarely integrated into meaningful gameplay. You never really felt like a true villain making impactful choices.

The minions were a particular letdown. They were often weak and lacked personality. Managing them felt like a chore rather than an integral part of running a criminal enterprise. Their artificial intelligence left a lot to be desired, making them frustrating to command.

Furthermore, the DLC was plagued by bugs and technical issues, further detracting from the experience. The lack of integration with the rest of the world was also a big problem. It felt like an afterthough, and not like a place where you could base your criminal enterprise and have it impact the world.

Ultimately, many players felt that the Vile Lair DLC didn’t live up to its name. It lacked the depth, complexity, and meaningful choices necessary to truly embody the role of an evil overlord.

Forging a New Evil: Opportunities in an Oblivion Remastered

An Oblivion Remastered provides a phenomenal chance to address these shortcomings and transform Vile Lair into the darkly engaging experience it was always meant to be. Several key areas deserve attention.

Crafting a Compelling Narrative of Corruption: Story and Choices Enhanced

First and foremost, the narrative surrounding Deepscorn Hollow needs expansion. Delving into its history, uncovering the secrets of its previous inhabitants, and introducing morally gray choices with lasting consequences would significantly enhance the immersion. Branching questlines related to the lair, its origins, and your interactions with the wider world are essential.

This means providing genuine opportunities to make evil choices – choices that impact the game world and the lives of its inhabitants. These choices shouldn’t be superficial; they should have consequences that ripple through the game. This creates an experience where the player has a real reason to be evil.

Building Your Evil Empire: Deeper Lair Customization and Management

The ability to truly customize and manage Deepscorn Hollow is paramount. Players should be able to extensively alter the lair’s appearance, adding new rooms, decorations, and functional elements. Resource management should be introduced, requiring you to gather materials, manage finances, and oversee the lair’s upkeep. Implementing a system for recruiting and training minions with unique abilities would add a strategic layer to the gameplay. Different rooms should have a purpose and could be improved, to add new features, buffs, and more.

Unleashing the Hordes: Improved Minion Artificial Intelligence and Functionality

The minions need a complete overhaul. They should be more useful in combat, capable of following complex orders, and possess unique abilities that complement different playstyles. Giving them distinct personalities and backstories would make them more engaging and less like generic henchmen. A leadership system, allowing you to appoint lieutenants and delegate tasks, would add another layer of depth. Players want a reason to care about their minions.

Embracing the Darkness: Expanded Evil Activities and Interactions

Players should be able to engage in more morally reprehensible activities. (With appropriate warnings and disclaimers, of course!) This could include anything from extortion and assassination to ritualistic practices and the exploitation of vulnerable individuals. These activities should be woven into the game’s questlines and encounters, providing players with diverse opportunities to embrace their inner villain. Allow them to become a true crime boss.

A Sight for Sore Eyes: Visual and Technical Enhancements

A visual overhaul is a necessity. Deepscorn Hollow should be rendered in stunning detail, with modern graphics, textures, and lighting effects. Existing bugs and technical issues need to be squashed. New environmental effects and animations would add to the atmosphere, creating a truly immersive and believable evil lair.

Weaving the Web: Integration with the Main Game

Deepscorn Hollow shouldn’t feel like a disconnected add-on; it should be seamlessly integrated into the world of Cyrodiil. Players should be able to use their lair as a base of operations for their adventures, storing loot, crafting potions, and planning their next move. Incorporating elements from the main game into the lair’s design and functionality would further enhance the immersion. The story should allow the player to have consequences in the main world and quests.

The Shadows Lengthen: The Impact of a Revitalized Vile Lair

A revitalized Vile Lair Oblivion Remastered experience would significantly enhance the overall Oblivion experience. It would appeal to players who enjoy darker fantasy themes, offering a unique and compelling alternative playstyle.

It would also add replayability, encouraging players to explore the game from a different perspective. Imagine building a criminal empire that rivals the Thieves Guild or becoming a feared necromancer who commands an army of undead.

Furthermore, a well-designed Vile Lair could inspire modders to create even more content, expanding upon the DLC’s themes and features. The possibilities are truly endless.

A Dark Hope for the Future: Concluding Thoughts on Vile Lair and Oblivion Remastered

Vile Lair represents a unique and often overlooked piece of Oblivion content. Despite its shortcomings, it offered a glimpse into the darker side of Tamriel, a side that many players found intriguing. An Oblivion Remastered has the potential to fully realize the DLC’s original vision, transforming it into a darkly engaging and morally complex experience. By addressing its flaws, expanding its features, and integrating it seamlessly into the main game, a remastered Vile Lair could become one of the highlights of an Oblivion revival. The hope remains that the developers will recognize the potential of Vile Lair Oblivion Remastered and give it the attention it deserves, allowing players to truly embrace their inner villain. We can hope that a remastered version of Oblivion can not only bring back the past but also improve it. The perfect opportunity awaits to make Deepscorn Hollow the lair we always wanted it to be.