to me, the real joy in TES games is looking down on the imperial city from a unmarked grave or walking out of a dungeon to have a whole world at your fingertips. I'm not saying that I don't like the main campaign in anyway, it just isnt why I buy Skyrim. Thoughts?

Umm.. Where's the yes because I like to play the story? Not that I HAVE to, I just enjoy the story as a whole.

Yes.It's like a story.Unlike most other quests it has a lot of time for development,climixes,and such.I hope they don't do another Oblivion where the Emperor walks into your cell,dies,and then you have to go liberate a city.A bit early for the drama don't you think?

Not really, which is the great thing about TES games.

I could live without Oblivion's main story, but one like Morrowind's? Hell no! Morrowind's main story practically made the game for me.

Skyrim's main story sounds really really awesome so far and I'm definitely looking forward to it. The story brings meaning to the game, so it's really important it's a good one I think.

I voted other, because I enjoy the main story the first time through, but mostly ignore it with subsequent characters. I did this for both Morrowind and Oblivion.

I would like it to be important to me.

Ideally, the main quest should be the most gripping and exciting quest line. It's just that that's seldom the case. Luckily, TES brings so much to the table that it takes more than a weak MQ to discourage most of us from playing the game.

As it stands, the MQ isn't central to the experience anymore. I'd probably buy Skyrim even if it didn't have a MQ.

No, i didn't even start Morrowind's main quest until about 100 hours in, and even from there, when i starts off slow, it took me 100s of more hours before i got into it. I beat Bloodmoon before i beat it.

Then i came to realize the main quest in Morrowind was amazing, and i beat it with much joy.

Then Oblivion came, and it jammed the main-quest down our throats with the opening dungeon. It seemed somewhat interesting so i actually did it pretty early (with no trouble because of the level scaling), only to realize the main-quest was pretty bad. After that i went on to enjoy the rest of the guilds, which were mostly pretty good. But that main quest left a sour taste in my mouth.

I say, just make sure the main quest doesn't seem too urgent. If it's good (like morrowind) it'd be a very nice surprise when you get around to it. If it's boring (like Oblivion IMO) it'd just be like a boring guild (which there is usually at least 1) It won't feel like the whole game revolved around this terrible plot, like in Oblivion.

God yes! I do love exploring about& finding side quest on my own.With that said,imo any good RPG needs a good main story!

My thoughts exactly. The freedom to not play the main quest is whats central to skyrim, not the other way around

It is important as a part of the story of the game and world. As to how important it is for me to complete it. . . it depends. Depends on whether or not I support the cause that is the games main objective. Sometimes side and guild quests become of greater interest to me. It varies. And I like that.

I voted "other" so im just going to explain it in this reply. To me the whole game revolves around the main story or story line. Without one there is no point in the game, its like Minecraft: all there is to the game it building and creating. Sorry this is a really short reply but im tired. :confused:

Yes, definitely. Especially seeing as it's the culmination of all the other Elder Scrolls games so far. For someone that loves the series it seems like a no-brainer.

yeah the stories important. like Oblivion and fallout 3 had the best stories and i bet Skyrims is going to be even better.

Agreed. Besides, I have to finish the MQ sooner or later, or I start to get all antsy about the impending doom

Of course it's important to me. I tend to enjoy the side quests more, but the feel of the game is based around the plot of the main story.

I could care less. But I am sure other's would love it.

yeah Bazz22 you should totally finsish it i won't ruin it but the end soooo epic!

WAIT A FREAKING SECOND HERE! Are you telling me that Oblivion had a central story? A... Main Quest you say? lol

I can happily say that I have yet to "finish" a TES/Fallout game. After hundreds of hours spent with Oblivion, Fallout 3 & New Vegas, I have never completed the MQ. Heck I only saw an Oblivion Gate once, didnt like it, and restarted a previous save about 10 minutes earlier(irl) and forgot that the existed. Now granted, from what I have read and heard the MQ for Morrowind sounds pretty bad ass. But to be honest, I dont think Bethesda could ever create a quest as awesome as the adventures I had just exploring and conquering the world they created. How far will I get in Skyrim's MQ? If the overall game is as good as previous ones, who cares. :thumbsup:

Oh of COURSE the Main Story is important. When i played Morrowind, i was clueless, and i eventually learned how to play, ONCE in awhile i would hear about the Nevarine but i didnt make miuch of it....and it was only when i got strong that i began doing the Main Storyline

Finally i began to realize....Wait...I'm the Neravar?

For me, that was the coolest thing.

For me the main quest is important, all games needs a good story and that is what the Main quest does of course I love making my own stories even more which is what TES always offered.

Once i get atleast 30 hours in the game I usually start the main quest that allows me to get comfy with mechanics and such while getting a feel for terrain to not use maps and able to find the targets alone.

I am not going to finish the main quest of Skyrim until I am sure they wouldn't pull a Fallout 3 on me; as in, they wouldn't kill off my character or otherwise lock me out of the rest of the game at the end of it.

Of course it's important, it'll be preluding to TES VI, like all the others.

I voted other, because the main quest is not something you have to complete to enjoy the game and it is not the reason I am buying the game. At the same time I will play the main story because I want to and not because I have to, it will probably be something I finish over time as I am exploring the world.

If this had happened to me brother, I know I wouldnt be apathetic to the MQ in general. Hell, what you describe is the kind of experience I long for in video games.

UBER BIOSHOCK SPOILERS AHEAD!

I remember in Bioshock how the big reveal toward the end made my jaw literally drop, never had a game so blatantly rubbed in my face, the fact that my actions were meaningless, that all you are doing is following the whim of someone else(Atlas aka the developers) while pretending you are making the choices yourself. This revelation is taken to the limit by taking away your ability to control your character at all, while I sat there in horror as my avatar slaughters someone whom I no longer wish dead due to me NOW KNOWING THE TRUTH! I will always treasure that moment. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bncxTilQKAs