The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim

I do understand that Bethesda took some of the RPG aspects out of Skyrim in compassion to Oblivion, but does that make it a bad game? If RPG is the one thing that brings this game down sure, but mechanically and in many other ways Skyrim is just a better game. I love Elderscrolls, and admittedly I have not played EVERY game but I have immersed myself in the lore and universe.   A lot of the games are different. Morrowind is different from Oblivion, really in more contrasting ways the Skyrim. I think your argument for the elements taken out are valid, because if there was more cause and effect for choices you make in the game and a better class system, I do think it would be better. A lot better. But I never felt like I wasn't in an RPG at any point. In every play through I was role playing as the character I created, following different plot lines for the specific character's traits, and had a great time immersing myself in the world. It may be a soft RPG, but it’s still great. It may be some head cannon in the way some of these playthroughs go, but I don't need the game to tell me or validate my experience as a 5'4 Archer Bosmer with ties to the Thieves Guild and a home in Riften. - Skyrim's perk based skill tree was more digestible and made leveling up more fun and less overly complex. - Oblivions dungeons were SO repetitive and exhaustive. - More variety in landscapes and map design. Almost all of Oblivion's landscape was the same exact green forest.  - As much as repairing weapons in an RPG can be more immersive, Oblivion over did it. It became tedious to the point of being very annoying. Just because something is more realistic for an RPG does not make it a good choice.  - Somehow the combat was leagues better in Skyrim (still my biggest complaint of Skyrim)  - The lore was more interesting and had more to offer in Skyrim. (I think it’s almost objective that of the past 3 installments Oblivion offered the LEAST. Morrowind clears both games by a mile in this category.)  - Oblivion's UI is worse. Like a lot worse.  - I believe the side quest in Skyrim was just better, I have done playthroughs were I stop the main quest at Whiterun and just explore for hundreds of hours.   - Yes, Oblivion had a better main quest. Easily. - Oblivion's success paved the way for Skyrim and is still a fantastic game. But I will say Skyrim's great success had a lot to do with the love for Oblivion.  - Oblivion's class systems was far more defined and did hold the classic RPG feel. I would hope the next ES game brings that back.

@MonkeyDPoopy mmmm yes give me all the salt