The length of gameplay in The Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion compared to The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim varies depending on how you play, but generally:
- Oblivion's main quest takes about 27.5 hours to complete, while full completion (doing all side quests and content) can take around 184 hours
- Skyrim's main quest is often considered shorter than Oblivion's, but Skyrim offers much more in terms of side quests, exploration, and content, leading to longer overall playtime. Estimates suggest Skyrim can provide at least 300 hours of gameplay, with some players exceeding 500 hours due to its expansive content and side activities
In terms of map size:
- Oblivion's map is technically larger, about 41 square kilometers, compared to Skyrim's roughly 37-40 square kilometers depending on the source
- However, Skyrim's world is more densely packed with detailed locations, quests, and events, making it feel larger in terms of content and exploration opportunities
In summary, while Oblivion has a slightly larger map and a longer main quest, Skyrim generally offers more total gameplay hours due to its richer, more detailed world and numerous side quests. Skyrim's gameplay length can easily surpass Oblivion's when considering all content and exploration.
