One month post-launch, only a small fraction of players have finished the main storyline of The Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion Remastered. However, for a game of this scale, that's hardly surprising—fans admit they're too immersed in other activities.
Count me among those fans! Since Oblivion Remastered unexpectedly launched on April 22, I've been thoroughly enjoying my time exploring Cyrodiil—everything except advancing the main quest. After escaping the sewers and delivering the Amulet of Kings to Jauffre at Weynon Priory, I've joined the Fighters Guild, uncovered countless side adventures, and even attempted boundary-breaking exploits like one dedicated player.
My reasoning? Oblivion's side content delivers exceptional entertainment (no spoilers here), but I'm also intentionally delaying critical story moments like the Kvatch siege while keeping character progression modest.
I plan to savor Oblivion's freedom until curiosity outweighs distraction. Though let's be honest—with Bethesda's iconic open-world design, there's no "correct" way to play. That's precisely what makes these games extraordinary: forge your own path while the world seamlessly adapts.
This sentiment clearly resonates with others. "BUSY hunting SLAUGHTERFISH in Lake Rumare," declared Reddit user MrCrispyFriedChicken regarding completion statistics. Other players echoed similar stories—160 hours without visiting Kvatch, deliberately seeking all 60 Oblivion Gates before progressing the story, or spending 44 hours (and a full in-game year) avoiding Weynon Priory entirely.
Current metrics show modest completion rates: 2.97% on Xbox (likely influenced by Game Pass trial players) versus 4.4% on Steam (where purchases indicate stronger commitment). Either way, these figures remain remarkably low for a title boasting over 4 million players—yet this aligns with broader gaming trends where most players rarely finish campaigns, whether hundred-hour RPGs or brief narrative experiences.
Ranking the Best Races in Oblivion
Ranking the Best Races in Oblivion
The statistics may reflect Oblivion's unique position as a nostalgic remaster—many veterans who completed the original might prioritize revisiting beloved side content or admiring graphical upgrades over retreading familiar story beats. Some devote hundreds of hours to unconventional pursuits, like meticulously arranging books for elaborate domino effects.
One player, Thaddeus122, reported nearly 100 hours invested without completing three core quests—yet they'd triumphed in the Arena and Mages Guild while extensively pursuing wealth, Nirnroot collecting, and manually traversing Tamriel's roads. Their approach encapsulates why Oblivion endures: infinite possibilities outweigh prescribed narratives.
