If you thought Morrowind was big and lifeless, you haven't seen it's preddesessor, Daggerfall. Probably one of the biggest game world ever, but all the towns look the same, and everybody says almost the same thing... But I think Morrowind has a better balence. It's just so damn big, and theres enough varaity to make you enjoy the game world's size. I think the combat systems okay, it's not like an RPG has to have turn-based combat like japanese RPGs. But there is so much to see and do, and unlike Daggerfall, you will WANT to see and do all. But that's just my opinion. You could play this game for months without touching the main quest and still have fun.
But don't listen to me, I'm just a guy who got a little bit sick of traditional RPGs with turn-based combat.

Unfortunatly, after playing the mass-produced, mechanical, CGI cutscene driven Final Fantasy 10, I may never get into traditional RPGs again...