Does anyone else ever feel that the main quests in these games kind of get in the way? This is just my opinion and not a complaint against the games but I always seem to wander off and completely disregard the main quests in Elder Scrolls and Fallout games. I love the exploration and do tons of side quests. I know in Skyrim I got the shout and pretty much ignored the main quest from then on except for dragons showing up everywhere. In Oblivion I got so tired of closing doors that I would just ignore them. In Fallout 3 I still haven't found my dad. Bethesda just makes worlds that I love to run around in.

I think everything you've said here hits the hammer on the nail quite well, it's the essence of why I love the open worlds BGS can create, I completed the Skyrim main quest earlier this year, and the Thieves' Guild, after having invested much more than 600 hours into the game. I still haven't touched the mages' college or companions' questline, and perhaps I never will.

My primary motivator? To walk through dungeons, explore, enjoy myself, and soak in the world. The main combat / inventory / companion / shopping mechanics are solid, and the world is large with plenty of variety for me. Main quests? Big factions? Whatever, just give me some random loot tables and wandering monsters!

Well in comparison to other RPGs Bethesda titles don't have the most well written and enthralling main quests. Fallout 4 doesn't seem to be an exception (Surely they could of come up with something different than 'Go find your ' again) They're great at making beautiful worlds to explore though.