Fallout 3, Fallout: NV, and Skyrim are those type of games for me that I will continuously pick up in between more action-oriented games. They give me substance and depth during the times in which my friends and I decide we've "prestiged" enough or exhausted the latest co-op campaign. That being said, I've cheerfully noticed something that has breathed new life into these games -

There are major areas of the maps that I either have completely forgotten about or haven't fully explored.

As basic of an idea as this is, I have found it to have had a rather profound effect on my experience. My levels of game completion and exploration are slightly varied in these titles, but the general idea remains that there's a lot to do to feel like I'm in a new "episode."

Fallout 3: This game for me is the most complete "Achievement-wise." I bought this game shortly after the release of Operation Anchorage. I fell in love with it, finished the main quest and most of the side missions, then picked up Op Anc. and The Pitt followed by the rest of the DLCs as they released. I don't really care about Achievements, but the only ones that come to mind that I don't have are the ones for the higher levels with neutral and evil karma.

That being said, I realized there were areas of the game I visited purely with blinders on to snag Bobbleheads, Skill Books, or unique items - thanks to The Vault (wiki). Arlington, several major junctions in DC, and that no man's land out in the Mid-West are more unfamiliar to me than the maps presented in the DLCs. I've been to every location in this game, yet so many became one-time visits. Even the Republic of Dave and Underworld feel fresh to me if I remember to visit. I will say that DC itself was largely my least favorite area of the game.

Fallout: New Vegas: In terms of exploration, this game has certainly been my most thorough. There are still pesky acheievements to get if I choose, but I've been around the block more than a couple times with this one.

I think the areas I fail to take advantage of/forget about in this game on repeat playthroughs are mostly on the western portion of the main map. I always forget about the crater, those interesting areas around Red Rock Canyon, the areas and mines off the path to Jacobstown, and the North/West portions of The Strip area itself. Most of the map is still more memorable to me than FO:3. I do feel, however, like I fail to fully explore Dead Money and Lonesome Road.

Skyrim: This is my first TES jaunt, although I had Oblivion in a Bioshock 2-pack forever (played it some after I admitted my love for Tamriel in Skyrim, but have since put it down before finishing it). I've completed a lot of Skyrim actually, but I feel like it still has the most left to check out.

I played through the main quest, Dark Brotherhood, Thieves, Companions, College, and Dawnguard.

To be honest, I feel like I still haven't cracked a dent in this game. I know it is widely regarded to be one of the most shallow offerings from Bethesda and their constituents, but to me, the amount of land and areas to really check out are tremendous and extremely varied. I don't even know where to start. When I look at the map with my highest level character, there are places revealed in almost every area. However, there are so many places in between that I keep stumbling upon it blows my mind. Yes, the dungeons all feel the same, and I dread every Dwemer ruin, but it's still mind boggling how I keep finding things new to me.

What are your least explored areas? What spots always feel fresh to you or are always forgotten about during a playthrough? Are there areas that get you excited again when you realize you haven't been there in forever?