TES' fifth main installment in 17 years was Skyrim, ostensibly their mature statement but in reality a sterile blockbuster that continues their trend towards storytelling, action and production at the cost of depth. This streamlined adventure favors a universal freelancer-like build with minimal influence from character creation. It's no longer an RPG in that there's no particular 'role' to follow, as differences among elements and weapon types feel trivial, and better customization is determined by enchanting, smithing and alchemy skills (that - alas, rely too much on menu routine). Without Acrobatics or key alteration spells, navigation is reduced to endless jogging, sprinting and mountain goat-ing towards a single point if one isn't fast-traveling already, like Daggerfall with fewer incentives. On the other hand, this contains their best-feeling combat (not exactly an achievement), and their OST and visuals continue to impress (until the next step in graphical tech arrives). It is telling that - despite the cinematics and setpieces of their main campaign, two of its peaks involve exploration: dwemer ruins and the 7000-step climb.