The expansion helped for sure, Shiv Isles.

True though it was for sure smaller (unless you ever tried to “no fast travel” rule yourself then you’ll find out how big it is real quick lmao), but (and I concede Morrowind is just better, it just is there’s no way around it), but while Skyrim was large, effectively “who cares” because it was empty and dull and drab and gray. Cyrodiil is smaller but it’s absolutely gorgeous and vibrant throughout (even in the snow covered regions so that’s no excuse.)

Furthermore, my fundamental issue with Skyrim is the quests are just…dull. The main line is ok (Oblivion’s was better and Morrowind’s better still), but the side quests are abject dogshit, and the side quests historically were my favorite part. I stole a goddamn Elder Scroll, I snuck past every Ancestor Moth, I became the mother fucking Gray Fox, and in skyrim “hey you remember that same dumb silver vase you stole from one dickhead’s house? Steal it again from another dickhead’s house. Gray Fox? Whodat?” I loosened the bolts on a man’s stuffed moose after sneaking through his crawlspace to avoid his paid security, and got a bonus for it, and eventually became The Speaker. In skyrim “go kill that guy. Cool do it again.” The most memorable part of The Brotherhood in skyrim was from oblivion, by Lucian Luchance’s ghost.

I’m gonna be real, I kinda didn’t like skyrim and don’t think I’ll get 6. I’ll replay the oldies. My only real complaint with Morrowind is beast races can’t wear helmets and boots (I understand “human ones wouldn’t fit” but think given their existence in-lore it would make sense for them to have seen humans wearing them and gone “hey let’s do that for our shape.” I do however accept that the Cats and Lizards might still not though, Argonians being newly freed and technologically behind, and the Kitties need their claws but should have helmets, even if only leather.) My only real complaint with Oblivion is I wish they’d have left a bunch of shit from Morrowind like crossbows etc.