A month after release, only a small fraction of players have completed the main storyline in The Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion Remastered. But for this iconic RPG, that's completely expected - fans are happily immersed in countless other activities.
I'm among these players! Since the game's surprise April 22nd launch, I've logged dozens of hours yet deliberately avoided progressing the main quest. After escaping the Imperial Sewers and delivering the Amulet of Kings to Jauffre, I've joined guilds, explored every corner of Cyrodiil, and tackled numerous side quests. I've even attempted to glitch through the world boundaries, inspired by one determined player's success.
Why Rush When There's So Much to Discover?
Oblivion's side content offers incredible depth and variety (no spoilers here!), but my delayed main quest progression also serves a strategic purpose. By postponing key story moments like the Kvatch crisis, I'm carefully managing my character's level progression.
My approach? To savor Oblivion's sandbox until curiosity finally drives me to complete the main plot. Though let's be honest - in a Bethesda masterpiece like this, there's no "correct" way to play. That's the beauty of it. The freedom to create your own adventure is what makes these games so magical.
The community clearly shares this philosophy. "I'm too BUSY hunting SLAUGHTERFISH in Lake Rumare," declared Reddit user MrCrispyFriedChicken regarding the low completion stats. Other players echoed similar sentiments:
- "160 hours logged and Kvatch remains unconquered" - Roffear
- "I methodically close all 60 Oblivion gates before finishing the main story" - Ellert0
- "44 hours (and one in-game year) without even visiting Weynon Priory" - PlayaHatinIG-88
Current statistics reveal only 2.97% of Xbox players and 4.4% on Steam have completed the main quest. The Steam numbers likely reflect dedicated purchasers versus Game Pass subscribers who may have simply sampled the remaster.
The Broader Context of Game Completion Rates
This phenomenon isn't unique to Oblivion. Most games - from sprawling RPGs to short campaigns - see surprisingly low completion rates. Many players never progress beyond the first hour or tutorial sections.
For Oblivion Remastered specifically, veteran players who completed the original may prefer exploring graphical upgrades and new features rather than replaying the main story. Some devote their time to entirely unconventional pursuits - like one player's seven-hour book domino project.
Redditor Thaddeus122 exemplifies this playstyle: "Nearly 100 hours without completing three main quests. But I've finished the Arena, Mages Guild, collected Nirnroots, closed gates, earned gold for houses... and no fast travel!"
