Few Finish Oblivion Remastered Main Quest: Too Distracting?

A month after launch, only a fraction of players have completed the main storyline in The Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion Remastered – though this comes as no surprise to fans who are thoroughly immersed in the game's countless other activities.

I count myself among them. Since the game's surprise release on April 22, I've logged countless hours avoiding the central narrative. After escaping the Imperial Sewers and delivering the Amulet of Kings to Jauffre, I've dedicated my time to everything except advancing the main plot – joining guilds, uncovering hidden locations, and attempting boundary-breaking glitches that would make Bethesda proud.

What's my reasoning? Oblivion's side content remains phenomenally engaging (no spoilers here), but I'm also strategically postponing major story beats like the infamous Kvatch siege while carefully managing my character progression.

My current goal? Enjoy Oblivion organically until curiosity (or boredom) drives me toward the main quest – though in a Bethesda masterpiece like this, there's no "correct" way to play. That's exactly what makes these games exceptional – complete freedom to craft your own adventure within a living world that accommodates every playstyle.

The community reflects this sentiment perfectly. "I'm currently obsessed with SLAUGHTERFISH hunting in Lake Rumare," declares Reddit user MrCrispyFriedChicken regarding the completion statistics. Other players echo similar stories – 160-hour playthroughs without resolving Kvatch's fate, completionists methodically closing all 60 Oblivion Gates before advancing the story, even one player who spent an entire in-game year without visiting Weynon Priory.

Current metrics show only 2.97% of Xbox players (including Game Pass subscribers) and 4.4% of Steam owners have completed the main quest. While this seems low for a game boasting over 4 million players, it aligns with industry trends where even linear games struggle to retain players through their final credits.

Ranking the Best Races in Oblivion

Several factors likely contribute to these numbers. Many veterans who completed the original two decades ago may prioritize experiencing the remaster's graphical enhancements over replaying the central narrative. Others engage in unexpected gameplay – one dedicated player reportedly spent seven hours perfecting a domino effect with in-game books.

Player Thaddeus122 exemplifies this approach: nearly 100 hours without completing three main quests, yet having conquered the Arena and Mages Guild. Their time goes toward systematic exploration – no fast travel, collecting Nirnroot, purchasing property, and painstakingly sealing every Oblivion Gate.