The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim

Open-world RPG set in Skyrim, a Nordic province where civil war over the throne coincides with the return of dragons. You're the Dragonborn, able to absorb dragon souls and use Thu'um (shouts with reality-bending effects). Character creation is classless—pick a race, then develop skills by using them. Combat mixes first-person melee, archery, and magic across destruction, restoration, and conjuration schools. Join the Imperial Legion or Stormcloaks in the civil war, pursue the main dragon questline, or ignore both to craft, enchant, and explore dungeons. Hundreds of quests span guild storylines (Thieves Guild, Dark Brotherhood, Companions, College of Winterhold) and miscellaneous tasks. Fast travel between discovered locations. Mod support on PC has extended the game's life considerably. Suits players who want to self-direct their time in a large fantasy sandbox.