The Elder Scrolls Series

Considered a titan its genre, The Elder Scrolls is a fantasy role-playing series that consists of five entries (Not including its spin-offs) set in the fictional world of Tamriel, a land rich with diverse cultures and rich lore, the objective of the same, your character begins imprisoned somehow (Varies in each game, waking up in a cell, via prison convoy ect..) and must eventually level up via defeating enemies. Eventually your adventure would take you outdoors, where your free to explore, talk to NPCs (Non-Playing-Characters) and complete missions and side-missions when you please. Its name derives from the scrolls in the lore that contain limitless knowledge of the past, and the future.
This series has spawned, as mentioned previously, various spin-offs, including game titles but also novels based on the lore of this saga.

Although now considered a mainstream series, The Elder Scroll's first entry, Arena. Released 1994 on PC Its choice of marketing was confusing to its audience, displaying on the front cover a scantily-clad blonde woman, making it look more like an erotic title.

But to those who bought it found an incredible experience that wowed critics, with its engrossing game play and incredible freedom inducing its memorable story not to mention its authentic Swords & Magic style, The Elder Scrolls Arena stood out from its competitors at the time (Final fantasy I, Earthbound) as the definitive role-playing experience of its time. 

With its expansive free-roam mechanics and randomly spawning dungeons throughout your travel of Tamriel's different continents, and also many NPC's to converse with and aid, it captured the minds and hearts of those who played it.

Also to celebrate its 10th anniversary, Bethesda Softworks were kind enough to release the full version of Arena for free on its Elder Scrolls website.

http://www.elderscrolls.com/arena/

Simirally, Bethesda Softworks have also released the second installment, Daggerfall, on it's Elder Scrolls website also.

http://www.elderscrolls.com/daggerfall/

(You must have a DDOS emulator to play these games)

Skyrim is the fifth and latest installment in the Elder Scrolls Franchise Available on PC, Xbox 360 and PS3, the story is still set in the land of Tamriel, yet now based in the northern continent, Skyrim. Home to the Nords. A proud race still full of tradition and honor, this sets the theme of the land you explore, the dungeons you scour and the NPC's you greet. 

Lead art designer, Matt Carofano Wanted to create a world that "Very high fantasy, yet still very rugged" by letting the player explore the architecture of this culture, use their weapons, wear their armor, so the player could feel like a part of this story.

The game begins with you being escorted to the executioner's block for a crime that isn't explained. During this, your path is interjected with a dragon, which begins to lay waste to the town. your then prompted to run, acquiring the assistance of another criminal, who eventually aids your escape. After this, the criminal says his goodbyes then leaves. Its at this point the player realizes the massive amount of freedom. Except for the invitation to meet-up with this criminal again, the player is free to explore in anyway he chooses. This freedom is what crowns Skyrim it's glory.

Eventually as the story progresses, you discover your character is "Dragonborn" a human with the soul of a dragon. Because of this, the player is given a set of awesome powers called "Shouts" A new feature which gives the player abilites such as fire breath and the ability to see though walls. These Shouts are improved via finding and killing dragons, a massive new feature in The Elder Scrolls series that is strongly linked with the storyline.

Dragons have been mentioned in this series lore before, but only hinted.

Also, finding and killing these beasts with your powers is an incredible experience. The soul-tearing your character performs when the creature is defeated creates the image of a reaper, whos power grows as these souls are collected. 

Skyrim has won many awards, such as "Ultimate Game of the Year" at the Golden Joystick awards and many more.

Bethesda Game Studios has also released DLC for Skyrim. They are Dawnguard, Hearthfire, and soon Dragonborn for PC and PS3 (It has already been released for Xbox 360).