True, i am much more interested in exploring the smelly swamps of the bitter coast while running away from clift racers then say, hunting the lions in golden coast or hunting renegade bretons in Markarth.
It's just something about Morrowind's charm that really pushes you to actually walk from one coast to the other, looking around at the trees and the lakes of Vvardenfal or checking out the market place in Vivec's foreign district. Oblivion And Skyrim did increased more area to explore and added some pretty sight but they pale in comparison to Morrowind.
And no, Longo, I know what you gonna say. It's not because of the "RPG" element, i don't give a crap that as a rogue it's harder to swing your two handed axe and beside, everyone just chose long blades anyway (So what were the classes for? oh yeah to punish you for making the wrong choices during character creation). I say the difference in quality between Morrowind and the recent game is cause of the setting itself. VVardenfal's landscape isn't as diverse as Cyrodile or even Highrock, so the creators made the best they could to create colorful regions in a Volcanic island and showing a more intriguing society among the dunmer who are still feeling invaded culturally by the empire. I actually talked to every Ashlanders i could find just to know more about their tribal society. Not because of a quest, i was personally motivated to befriend all of them! The recent games increased in the gameplay (yeah i said it, *removes gloves* fight me Longo!) and graphic department, sure it's nice and all. But they also lowered their resources in designing character and offering us a less intriguing lore.... especially Oblivion... yikes!
I mean, seriously, the entire plot of Oblivion was helping the ACTUAL chosen one (Brother Martin... what a name!). You were more just a messenger then a "prophesied hero" pretty much. How do the townfolks get food? Where are the farms? How do they trade and how do they treat eachother? No one knows, but hey! They can smile to you when you bribe them!
At least Skyrim answered half of that.