Few Finish Oblivion Remastered Main Quest – Distracted?

One month after release, only a small fraction of players have finished the main storyline in The Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion Remastered. But for this beloved RPG, that's completely expected — fans are clearly too immersed in everything else the game offers.

I'm among those players! Since its surprise launch on April 22, I've been thoroughly enjoying Oblivion Remastered. After escaping the sewers and delivering the Amulet of Kings to Jauffre, I've deliberately avoided advancing the main quest. Instead, I've joined the Fighters Guild, explored Cyrodiil's landscapes, and completed numerous side missions. I even attempted to break through the game boundaries like one enterprising player managed to do.

My reasoning? The side content in Oblivion is exceptionally engaging (no spoilers here), and I'm strategically postponing main story progression — especially challenging sections like Kvatch — while keeping my character level modest.

For now, I'm savoring Oblivion's freedom until curiosity eventually drives me to complete the central narrative. Though with a Bethesda RPG, is there really a "proper" way to play? That's their genius — you chart your own course through these living worlds.

This playstyle clearly resonates with many fans. "Too busy hunting SLAUGHTERFISH in Lake Rumare," quipped Reddit user MrCrispyFriedChicken regarding the low completion rates. Other players shared similar stories — 160 hours logged without visiting Kvatch, methodically closing all 60 Oblivion Gates before continuing the story, or spending 44 hours (a full in-game year) without even reaching Weynon Priory.

Current statistics reveal only 2.97% of Xbox players and 4.4% on Steam have completed the main quest. The Steam percentage is likely higher because these players purchased the game rather than accessing it through Game Pass, which sees more temporary engagements.

Ranking the Best Races in Oblivion

While completion rates seem low for a game with over 4 million players, this reflects broader gaming trends. Most titles — whether expansive 100-hour RPGs or brief 5-hour campaigns — struggle with retention beyond their opening hours. For Oblivion specifically, many veterans who completed the original may prefer revisiting favorite side content or experimenting with the upgraded visuals rather than replaying the main narrative.

Some players take this approach to extremes. One dedicated fan spent seven hours meticulously arranging books for an elaborate domino effect. Others, like Redditor Thaddeus122, reported nearly 100 hours playtime with minimal main quest progress — instead focusing on guild quests, house purchases, alchemy (the notorious Nirnroot hunt), and deliberately avoiding fast travel to fully experience Cyrodiil.