Both Dark & Demon's Souls. I love the combat and the level design. The game also doesn't hit you over the head with lore like the Elder Scrolls. Every character is fucking Encyclopedia-Britannica. If you want lore in the Souls series, you have to look for it, which also adds to the huge sense of accomplishment. The first 2 Assassin's Creed games were also very cool. After the second one, they seemed to be focused on pumping out content without checking if it was good. However, my all time favorite series is Metal Gear. It might be obvious from my avatar and screen name, but I figured I should mention it. I've beat every MGS game on Big Boss difficulty.
Well I like Skyrim else I wouldn't still be playing it but as an RPGamer gotta say that Oblivion, Mass Effect (all 3), Dragon Age Origins, NWN 1 &2, Baldur's Gate series with add ons (Tried reading one of Greenwood's books - tripe). I think BG, NWN, DAO and Mass Effect series are better certainly from an RPG point of view. Also Tomb Raider Underworld is great too. But still the Game of all time for me is Half Life 2 (so far). Zelda? Never interested me!
Best NPC (different topic I guess) Minsc the Ranger (and Boo of course) from BG series . For those who have never played BG Boo is a giant miniature space hamster and Minsc's travelling companion who leaves biscuit crumbs in uncomfortable places
I depends on what you mean by "top". Planescape Torment had the best story of anything I have played afterwards and Bioshock (though not an RPG) the best setting IMO.
I also loved the "make your own weapon" idea from Fallout 3. I admit it, I like collecting things and crafting. ^_^
I cannot say that Skyrim is better than any other video game, nor can I say that any other video game is better than Skyrim. This is because I have favorite games in many genres, and they are my favorites due to features, concepts, stories, and/or gameplay. Some of my favorites games are Skyrim, Dark Souls, Far Cry, Knockout Kings, Fallout 3, Halo, Blood and Glory (Android)...and many others. I still bo back to my Sega Genesis every now and then to replay some of my favorites.
The only game that I believe is better than all video games was D & D from my younger days.
I only got dragon age origins this year and I personally think that it is far better than skyrim in almost every way except that it isn't sandbox. I prefer kotor (even the shitty ending of kotor 2), fallout new vegas (way better than fallout 3), the main series of pokemon, Oblivion (although skyrim has better dlc) and borderlands 2, but that's mainly todo with claptrap and tiny tina who were hilarious
I played DA2. Sadly and unlike Bioware's earlier effort in Bauldur's Gate the sequel did not live up to the original. In BG2 Bioware set new benchmarks,. In DA2 it had the effect of what? Ans = a yawn! Bioware blew the chance of making a really good game better consequently DA3 has a hobble before it even gets off the ground running (or trying to)
I know right?! I thought Brotherhood was ok, but that was where they started really going Hunter S Thompson on the plot. Just completely crazy. I could understand how some people would say that Metal Gear Solid 2 was like that, but it resolved itself after all the craziness. As far as Assassin's Creed 3 goes, I sold it back to Gamestop the other day. Besides the story, I really HATED Connor.