Oblivion wasn't all forest.

Wrong thread dude.

Actually, while SkyRim's landscapes are certainly pretty, I'd say that for both environments and architecture, Oblivion had a much more diverse topography, and Morrowind even more than that - it's like the ES games are kind of regressing in their variety in landscapes and buildings. But things are certainly getting more refined, that's for sure.

And smaller. At least it feels that way to me. I got lost the first time heading out and overshot Whiterun, in no time at all I was at the Northern edge of the map. I was kind of disapointed when I realized I had crossed the entire map in such a short time.

Don't get me wrong, I love the game...

I'm 20 hours in and I'm still worried that I'm not going to see any colors other than white, grey, and brown in this game. I miss the bright fields of flowers and deep green forests of Oblivion. Not that this game isn't beautiful in its own way, but I really want some visual variety.

No, I know. I just meant I've come across many more 'natural wonders' in Skyrim that I don't recall ever really seeing in Morrowind or Oblivion. The game just feels more natural and real to me. Not that Oblivion was bad, but often it felt like a bunch of procedurally generated hills painted over with a tree brush. More than the other games, I find myself noticing certain terrain or vistas now and thinking, 'wow, that's really cool'. But I played Oblivion four years ago and Morrowind even longer so maybe I am misremembering. In general, I am just really impressed with what Bethesda has done here.

On some level I do agree with Slop101 though, at least as it pertains to the buildings. Oblivion did seem to have more varied architecture. In Skyrim's smaller villages for instance, all of the buildings look more or less the same, and I've noticed the same interior is used for the Inn's in at least five separate villages. I just chalk this up to the fact that Cyrodiil being the capital province will have the most diversity in terms of the people living there.

BTW, I've been selling off my dragon bones & scales for cash (and also to lighten my load) - is there a reason I should've been holding on to them instead?

I haven't found any reason to keep dragon scales and bones yet. I've been selling them as well. Is there a Nirnroot quest in this game too? Because I have a few but accidentally used some up while doing alchemy.

There is Dragon Armor you can make, but I heard it isn't very good.

I was torn, but then I saw something that made me decide who to join: three Imperials versus three Stormcloaks. I sat back and watched as the Stormcloaks easily destroy two of the Imperials, and then chase the last one down and obliterate him instantly.

I think it was in a YouTube video some guy was suggesting to hold onto your dragon bones...don't remember why...

Well I've been selling mine for major cash. Also they take up so much weight they're almost always the reason I get overburdened.

I haven't had to choose a side yet but man Ulfric is such a dick.

Same here, the map feels smaller and less diverse. In Oblivion I felt like I was on a large continent with distinct regions (from the plains near the imperial city, the swamps of Bravil, the coast, and then the snowy area near Bruma). Skyrim just feels like mountains and plains, nothing else. I did manage to find an area with a large "harbor" in some sort of fjord so that was nice.

I'm enjoying it more and more but I think Oblivion had more "WOW" moments (such as your first site of White Gold Tower). Granted I played both on the PS3 and I have heard that Oblivion looks noticeably better on the PS3 than the 360 but so far Skyrim doesn't seem as groundbreaking.

I keep draining shop keepers of funds. Anyone know the best places to sell just odds and ends? I've been using the shop in Solitude and she generally has like 700 or so gold, which I use to offload my stuff, but eventually she runs out of money.

There are a ton of mountains in Skyrim, but I found a volcanic area with water geysers and some swamplands as well.

That's what houses are for.

And as far as shopkeepers, I think if you just wait 48 hours, their gold replenishes.

Also, I'm sure you're all aware, but there's an exploit to keep your 5000 gold when buying the house in Whiterun - http://elderscrolls.wikia.com/wiki/Bugs_%28Skyrim%29

I'd love to own a house one day. My brother's been saving up for one but I've just been spending it all on cool stuff. Mostly potions and training. I have little need for a house... I'm already in the Thieves Guild and the Dark Brotherhood.

Also, the soundtrack to this game is amazing. The various adventure and town themes are outstanding.

I lol'ed.

So you can join many different groups or factions? I've had a few offers but I haven't committed to any yet because I wasn't sure of the ramifications yet.

I would assume so. You could in Oblivion and Morrowind.

Damn, I just bought the house, too

Too far for an autosave, too.

Bummer.

As I've said, I agree with this, but something we're overlooking are the dungeons. SkyRim has much, much better and more diverse dungeons than the other ES games by a long shot.

I could never get into Oblivion and pretty much stopped playing it after about 20hours. Enjoying Skyrim much, much more so far.