Except its so easy to pick locks in Skyrim anyone can pick a master lock with just a handfull of picks. You don't need a high lockpicking skill or any perks.

/sigh

There are no titles in Skyrim, classes are very much still in TES gentlemen. You are given the option to adhere to strict archetypical play, you don't have to spend perks in anything. You may have to pick a lock or two, though I'm not even sure of that.

That is a pointless tangent that has absolutely no basis. There ARE classes in Skyrim, there are no static titles or railroading of skills. You choose what you want to be, and indeed the customizable 'classes' from Oblvion (or any other game) were already a step in this direction. There is something to be said for alternative options, but the classes are still a very viable option in Skyrim. The utter and complete obtuse gross overexaggeration of this is juvenlie.

Level requirements for using equipment, making equipment, or using skills/spells is indeed still in the game as well. You can't just pick the end perk at level 2.

If you went straight to the end of Blacksmithing, guess what... you're a freaking Blacksmith. Same for lockpicking.

Now, options are a good thing. There is no need for restrictive level requirements, as gaining levels to unlock perks functions in the exact same manner. What skill or spell school you invest in will come at the cost of another perk. You can severely cripple yourself early on by not spending perks in combat trees, especially on Master.

Knock, Melt lock, Open spells for Mages? Why not, seems good.

Bash for Warriors? Yes please.

Classes? Your character is staring back in the mirror at one.