Oblivion + Morrowind = pretty good

I'm going with morrowind since I play it more. It needed alot more balancing and testing, but holds my attention longer. Take the horses (quick travel AND horses seems kind of redundant), AI, and combat of oblivion and put it in morrowind and you got yourself a good game. I can't enjoy either one, because I like paying a thief character. Morrowind makes that hard because of the starting stats. 35 max in stealth vs like oh, I don't know, 50+ in weapon skills. I just don't feel very assassiny running in broad daylight with a claymore. The combat in oblivion made up for that with sneak attacks, BUT you can't sell your ill-gotten goods to Joe-shmoe merchant in that podunk village, 'cause his degree taught him how to tell the difference. Although, if I saw a red hand print on something someone was selling me, I'd probably be suspicious too. So scratch that idea.

Anyway, when I get frustrated with said games, I fire up the Gothic series. The gameplay is so much better. Everything has its own daily schedule. Even enemies. Want to put stealth to good use? Sneak past your enemies while they sleep. Too many baddies after you? Those two goblins in front of the cave call for the eight just inside? (now you have ten) Find some lizards. they like nasty meat. Too many wolves behind you? The local farmers will be more than happy to protect their sheep. Just make sure your "help is willing and able to help. Large orc behind you? Town guard will take care of it, right? Right? Hey! Why is everyone running into the castle and locking the door! The pluses go on and on. The only real deterrent is the controls. The first two are designed for keyboard only; a little different, but very precise.

Back to Morrowind and Oblivion. I prefer Morrowind because there's more variety to it.