right, and what other environments were there in Oblivion that didn't include trees?

seriously, if you can name me one location in Oblivion off the top of your head (as in, don't look it up) besides the area surrounding Bruma that didn't include anything but lots of grass and trees, I'll gladly digress.

edit: and some members on this board seem to be either intentionally or unintentionally avoiding the issue everyone has with the OP's statements. Oblivion was not only geographically the most uninteresting and non-diverse (the latter isn't up for debate, it's fact) entry in the series, it also had the HORRID level-scaling system (which, while still present in Skyrim and some degree in Morrowind, wasn't anywhere near as grating), the generic NPCs that all looked the same, the complete lack of variation in dungeons, unbelievable repetition in it's quest design (go close this Oblivion gate. next quest? go close another Oblivion gate) and even complete disregard of already established lore (remember Nu-Cyrod?).

and if anyone needs clarification on what Nu-Cyrod exactly entailed, here's a minor example:

Morrowind Imperial Legion armor:
http://images.uesp.net/thumb/7/72/MW-npc-Joncis_Dalomax.jpg/600px-MW-npc-Joncis_Dalomax.jpg

Oblivion "Imperial Legion" armor:
http://images.uesp.net/thumb/f/f1/OB-npc-Anvil_Jailor.jpg/600px-OB-npc-Anvil_Jailor.jpg

Skyrim Imperial Legion armor:
http://images.uesp.net/f/fb/SR-npc-Legate_Quentin_Cipius.jpg

notice how Oblivion's is the only one that looks ripped straight from a LOTR movie, yet Morrowind and Skyrim's both fit and match (appropriately) with PGE statements (Roman-inspired appearances)?

Well I do think Skyrim is a step backwards but not for the reasons OP does. I think Skyrim looks better, greater detail, better dungeons etc etc. Skyrim is better than Oblivion in almost every way however, Oblivion is better than Skyrim in, for me, the most important thing, quests, personally I felt Oblivions quests (especially guilds) are far better than Skyrims. I also prefer Oblivions magic. So I'd still rather play Oblivion over Skyrim because for me quest quality is more important.
Exploring in Skyrim is better than Oblivion but without good quests to play as well as exploring all you have is exploring and that gets dull after a while.

EDIT: I personally prefer the music in Oblivion to Skyrim, and the UI. I want my journal & maps look like paper maps that my character would actually have not the GPS super slick ipod rubbish in Skyrim, just has no character.

I hate Skyrim's Map! I cant see the roads so i try to get up a mountain only to find that this side is impassible...bullcrap i say

It looks nice but is a naff map if you actually try to use it as a map. There's a mod that improves it (adds roads also has a paper map option) but if I remember right you're on console right?

Well I do think Skyrim is a step backwards but not for the reasons OP does. I think Skyrim looks better, greater detail, better dungeons etc etc. Skyrim is better than Oblivion in almost every way however, Oblivion is better than Skyrim in, for me, the most important thing, quests, personally I felt Oblivions quests (especially guilds) are far better than Skyrims. I also prefer Oblivions magic. So I'd still rather play Oblivion over Skyrim because for me quest quality is more important.
Exploring in Skyrim is better than Oblivion but without good quests to play as well as exploring all you have is exploring and that gets dull after a while.

EDIT: I personally prefer the music in Oblivion to Skyrim, and the UI. I want my journal & maps look like paper maps that my character would actually have not the GPS super slick ipod rubbish in Skyrim, just has no character.

yea i play on xbox

I thought you did, at least you get to play Dawnguard first I guess. I used to play Skyrim on PS3 but really wanted mods so I bought Skyrim for my laptop, have to play on low settings but at least I can use mods. Shame MS/Sony don't want mods on consoles.

I hate Skyrim's Map! I cant see the roads so i try to get up a mountain only to find that this side is impassible...bullcrap i say

You know... there is an allure to actually exploring.

just sayin'

There's also road signs on the major/minor roads that points in the direction of the nearest towns...

i have never needed mods...but my little brother recently got skyrim for the laptop so that he can mod it. It will be interesting to see what he makes but i am content with my xbox

there is no sign that says "Word of Power this way" or "hidden mountain path -->"

That's what the little white markers on the compass are for.

If we're talking about quests, Oblivion's are so much better than Skyrim's, that its really isn't close.

This whole thread is based on individual reflections on the game. Opinions.

They point to the target, not the start of the path

But it gives you a great general direction to head in. All it takes is a small trip up any side road/off-beaten path to use intuition to tell if it'll go in the direction you want.

This isn't that difficult.

i did not say it was difficult, i said it was annoying

But my point is; that even Quests have exploring as part of their base design. If there were a paved road or easy path to your Quest objective, then it wouldn't be much of a Quest. It's be just a simple task/fetch.

but that is what all of skyrim's quests are

In my opinion, I respectfully disagree with you. Skyrim's quests are much more than simple tasks or fetch quests. I have had very fulfilling, challenging times with Skyrim's quests. But I can't say that Oblivion's quests are better and still be honest. Skyrim's quests are much better thought out and written in my opinion.

when i do quests i am trying to finish the quest, when i want to explore i will explore. I will state again "I hate Skyrim's Maps". I want the paper map. Your argument does not change this

Good heavens, no. Oblivion was the step back from Morrowind, Skyrim is bringing the series forward again.