In reality the base game isn't crazy, especially because of the recurring bugs, the graphics are of the time. The story is cheat tier, like I don't care, I just want to stealth a soldier from the Imperial Legion and reboot the save until I succeed. And after dragging his body then hiding it because damn he's bugged so I killed him to borrow his 43 golds...
But when we start to get into the modding spiral...
Damn damn damn!!!
The impossible is possible, the bugs go away, the graphics improve, the feet are no longer bricks. You are walking in Skyrim, your horse is cheating, the view is beautiful, still funny ragdoll, your shout has never been so powerful.
So thank you modding and the game for allowing great things, except that the base game is great but outdated