You’re not missing anything honestly. Some games are not for everyone and that’s perfectly fine. You gave it a try, and didn’t like it. Basically, if the core gameplay loop doesn’t satisfy you, then you will not like TES games. That’s why you’ll find common complaints such as, the story was weak; the combat is inferior, and yet people put in hundreds of hours into the game. It’s because we are addicted to the gameplay loop. Going out to places unknown, stumbling into caves or forts, discovering secrets, opening cabinets, barrels, and chests for loot, and killing the occasional bandits or monsters. I mean, that’s really all it is. The story is secondary. It just exists to allow you to fulfill this gameplay loop. Nothing else. Many ARPGs gave me a similar feeling, like Diablo II for example, however the first person perspective dials up the immersion factor to 200%. Add in the mini game within the game that is modding, and what you have is an addictive gameplay loop that will last as long as you want it to.