Well, skyrim was fun. I got to the dialogue at the blacksmith shop after the tutorial mission and decided that should be the end of the game. That time I *finally* figured out how to equip the sword--that was the final boss fight.
They were careful to downplay the "radiant" system in Skyrim. That was a good move since there's ZERO to do sandbox style after the main quest and DLC.
The sandbox play is OK at first but ultimately repetitive and boring. Following the main quest at least gives you direction and purpose. I think it's a very good game, not amazing.