Few Finish Oblivion Remaster's Main Quest

A month after its launch, only a small fraction of players have finished the main storyline of The Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion Remastered. For a game of this scale, that's hardly surprising—fans are reporting they're completely absorbed in other activities.

I count myself among those fans! Since the surprise release on April 22, I've been thoroughly enjoying Oblivion Remastered. After escaping the sewers and delivering the Amulet of Kings to Jauffre at Weynon Priory, I've done just about everything except follow the main quest. I've enlisted in the Fighters Guild, traveled across Cyrodiil, and tackled numerous side missions. I even attempted to break through the map boundaries, replicating what one adventurous player achieved.

Why sidestep the main story? The side quests in Oblivion are incredibly engaging (no spoilers here), but I'm also intentionally postponing the central narrative—and challenging segments like Kvatch—while keeping my character's level relatively low.

My plan is to simply enjoy the world of Oblivion until I eventually feel ready to tackle the main campaign. But then again, is there really a "right" way to play a Bethesda game? Their brilliance lies in the freedom—you pursue what interests you, whenever you choose, and the experience remains cohesive.

It appears many other players share this approach. "I'm TOO BUSY with OTHER ACTIVITIES, like searching for SLAUGHTERFISH in Lake Rumare," commented the aptly named Redditor MrCrispyFriedChicken in reaction to the main quest completion stats.

"I've logged 160 hours already, and Kvatch still awaits," added Roffear. "I'm one of those odd players who actually enjoys the Oblivion gates, so I deliberately avoid finishing the main quest until I've located and closed all 60 gates in my game," explained Ellert0. "After 44 hours and a full in-game year, I haven't even visited Weynon Priory," noted PlayaHatinIG-88. "Those unfortunate Kvatch city guards never stood a chance."

As of this writing, a mere 2.97% of players on Xbox have completed Oblivion Remastered's main quest, while Steam shows a slightly higher 4.4%. Why the discrepancy? Likely because Xbox figures include Game Pass users, many of whom may have sampled the game briefly before moving on. Steam players, having purchased the title outright, are generally more invested.

Regardless, it's a notably low completion rate for Oblivion Remastered, which has attracted over 4 million players. In reality, most video games exhibit surprisingly low campaign completion rates—whether it's a sprawling, 100-hour open-world RPG like Oblivion Remastered or a concise five-hour Call of Duty story. Many titles also see a significant drop-off after the first hour or tutorial section. Such is the unpredictable nature of gaming audiences.

For Oblivion Remastered, the statistics might be further influenced by its status as a refreshed version of a beloved classic. If you already finished the main quest two decades ago, you might feel less compelled to replay it now, preferring instead to admire the enhanced visuals and upgraded features. Or, as one dedicated player demonstrated, you might spend seven hours meticulously arranging books to create a perfect Dominoes chain reaction.

Thaddeus122 mentioned they were nearly 100 hours in without completing even three main quests. They have, however, conquered the Arena and the Mages Guild. The rest of their time? "Leveling up, earning gold for property, sealing all the Oblivion gates, the Nirnroot quest, and various smaller tasks. Honestly, I also avoid fast travel entirely."

Have You Completed the Main Questline in The Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion Remastered?

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