I remember this games Dark Brotherhood story-line, the high point for me that they never quite matched again. Did some writers leave after that game or...? I also found the combat to be better in this game, it felt dumbed down in Skyrim. I remember being in my first house (in Skyrim) spending several hours (if you total it) trying to organise several chests of items that no one would buy for some reason and I thought, I'm just not having fun, never went back! I think Dark Souls killed the franchise for me though, if I'm completely honest about it.
Saying that, I'm cautiously hopeful for the next ES (maybe cos I'm a shmuck and never learn), but much more so for Starfield as I'm a sci-fi nut!