“This mod feels like a threat” Oblivion Remastered’s lockpicking is already perfect for masochists, but here’s your chance to experience a new world of pain

Uh oh. Oblivion Remastered’s lockpicking minigame can be just as brutal as the one you remember from the original, but if you’ve managed to master it, there’s a new mod that’ll add an extra layer of challenge. Fancy not even being able to see the pins you’re trying to flick up?

Well, if you decide to grab modder SquigM’s ‘Blind Lockpicking’, that’s exactly what you’re in for. Better pack all those neat cheesing tricks you’ve unearthed yourself or read about online, you’re gonna need them, plus the patience of a Saint Jiub.

This mod does exactly what it says on the tin, slapping a big bit of metal in the way of the part of the lock that houses those pesky pins. So, every time you go to pick a lock, no matter whether it’s an easy chest containing some yarn and a broom or the most secure doors the Thieves Guild can throw at you, you’ll have to rely on your spidey senses.

Hear the lock, feel the lock, smell the lock, taste the lock, whisper sweet nothings to the lock. Get sued into Oblivion by the lock for subjecting it to all of that. You’ll need to do all of the above to tease it open. As someone who routinely breaks 10-20 picks per very hard lock with my current level 20 character, I’ll be resorting to prayer.

It sounds like I’m far from the only one to draw that conclusion either, here are just some of the comments SquigM’s creation has amassed since it picked its way into Nexus Mods late yesterday:

• “This mod feels like a threat.”
• “You are a devil.”
• “Great for my masochist playthrough, gonna use this with the ball clamps.”
• “I’ve lockpicked multiple doors IRL and even I think this is brutal.”
• “Man you need therapy, you don’t need to hurt yourself this much.”
• “You’re a complete bastard and I love you.”

Stellar reviews so far, then. For the record, we here at VG247 don’t recommend playing Oblivion while wearing ball clamps. Not that we’ve tried it. Ok, maybe once. Brought a whole new meaning to the jaws of Oblivion.

Are you Cyrodiil’s foremost break-in artist/masochist and planning on adding this to your load order? Let us know below, and make sure to keep checking out our coverage of Oblivion Remastered modding, as well as our array of useful guides that can help both newbies and veterans in need of a refresher.