Summary
Oblivion Remasteredhas been entertaining new and old fans alike with some of its fan-favorite questlines, such as the Dark Brotherhood, immersing players in the cut and thrust of life in Cyrodiil. Ever since it was first released in 2006, the game has been lauded for the huge variety of experiences available, catering to mages, thieves, warriors, and any playstyle in between.
But it is some of the individual quests that have pleasantly surprised many new players, ones that they might never have expected to find. Where faction quests are a staple ofOblivion Remastered, it is these smaller ones that make the setting feel lived-in, and let the developers play with new ideas. One such quest has a very curious way of immersing players by putting a spin on one of Bethesda’s most beloved world-building features.
The Paranoia Quest Makes Players Follow Oblivion NPCs Through Daily Life
Anyone that has visited Skingrad will have probably heard of Glarthir, or found themselves tracked down in a dark alley by the nervous Bosmer. Greeting you excitedly, Glarthir will ask the player to meet him behind the chapel at midnight, informing them that they should tell no one, and make sure they aren’t followed, building a sense of mystery and intrigue. Expecting anything to happen, it can be quite surprising when Glarthir asks the mightyHero of Kvatchto just follow someone around for a day.
If they accept, then they can begin tailing NPCs, watching their every move, looking for clues and signs of a conspiracy. Players will watch the characters mysteriously leaving their houses, suspiciously going to work, and eavesdrop on their secretiveNPC conversations about seeing Mudcrabs recently. The city guards will want to know what Glarthir is up to as well, and a player can report Glarthir if they think something isn’t right, but many will likely find themselves drawn into the web of intrigue.
Without spoiling the quest, a player can choose toreassure Glarthir he isn’t being watched, or feed his paranoia. It is one of the most unusual quests inOblivion Remastered, as unlike many others, it doesn’t require the player to collect a special item, delve into a dungeon, or even necessarily break into a place - it just needs them to watch, and wait.
How Oblivion Remastered Uses Immersive Gameplay in Paranoia
One of the things that makesThe Elder Scrollssuch a special franchise to many is how the world feels alive. While it is full of unrealistic aspects, from mythical creatures to small cities, many players have fallen in love with Bethesda’s attention to detail, giving NPCs routines that lend a believability to the world. Paranoia uses these immersive features to the fullest extent, indulging those players who want to know whether NPCs make time for lunch, or what they get up to at night.
The quest demands very little from the player, just that they don’t reveal themselves to the targets, letting them approach it however they feel is best. It is up to the imagination to fill in the blanks, letting them roleplay their character’s level of suspicion, and choosing how devious they want to be in encouraging Glarthir. It is incredible that Bethesda made standing around and watching an NPC’s routine so enthralling, but it is exactly that kind ofunpredictable quest design that makesOblivionso memorable.
Many people in the community have commented over the years how, even after doing every quest multiple times over, they can still walk around Bethesda’s worlds, picking an NPC to shadow just to see what they will do. Most of the time, very little happens, but it is this mundane slice of life that has kept the franchise so important, despite the fact thatBethesda hasn’t released anElder Scrollsgame sinceSkyrim. There is something beautifully simplistic about Paranoia that satisfies anyone who appreciates immersion, and players should definitely make time for the quest.
