The Elder Scrolls: Morrowind

It was a very tough choice between Morrowind and Skyrim, but the former is where the series' success really began. Bethesda introduced one of the most expansive and free-form RPGs ever, letting the player choose their own path, and in some ways build their own story. You have complete control over the look, race, and abilities of your character, as well as the factions they join and the people they interact with. Players of Skyrim will be familiar with this, but in Morrowind, it's really on another level. Bethesda manages to tie in advanced open world RPG mechanics while maintaining a better story. It's less of an action game, and more of a playground of thievery, stats, and magic. It throws you straight into things with only a brief introduction, getting you lost (often literally) in the world of Tamriel. It's that world that's really the shining glory of all Elder Scrolls Games, and it's arguably at its best here. While Skyrim is described by many as a shallow ocean, this game has the depth of a thriving lake. It's teeming with over four hundred quests, as well as unique flora, characters, and races. It draws from not just medieval Europe, but early cultures in Egypt, Japan, and the Middle East. If you can get past the dated graphics, you'll find incredible value in this classic game. If not, well,Skyrim and Oblivion are just as good in their own way.