I don’t play many video games but I can assure you that The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim is one of the best. When it comes to RPGs (role-playing games), I have never loved a game as much as I love Skyrim. It is impossible to run out of adventures or interesting characters in this game, and that’s a part of the reason why I can play for hours on end.

In order to get the just of how great Skyrim is, you’ll have to play the game. But I can give some insight through this list of the most fun you can have in Skyrim! There is far too much to do in Skyrim, it would probably take a lifetime to complete every small and large side quest while also following the main storyline. When it comes to RPGs, I try to complete every side quest. I get so distracted that I might even forget that there is a main quest, which I think is very evident in this list.

Rather than mentioning specific quests, I’m going to list ways to make your experience much more interesting!

1. Collect everything

Some of the most fun comes from the things you find in Skyrim. There are many ways to collect goodies; this includes stealing, scavenging caves and completing quests. You can perfect your stealing skills by leveling up and getting new armor to increase your sneakiness. If you would rather explore a cave than rob everyone in the Bannered Mare, you will still need to improve your sneaking skills. But be aware, you never know what draugr or troll will be around the corner! Quests usually end with gold but there are also quests where you can receive new armor or even a Daedric artifact. From ebony armor and the wabbajack to The lusty Argonian Maid series, you better have a place to store your new merch.

2. Get married

Yes, you can get married in Skyrim. I know it sounds a little sad to get married in a virtual reality but it’s worth it and interesting. In Skyrim, you can marry anyone you like, as long as they are also interested. You will need charisma and an amulet of Mara. After donning your amulet and making a new friend, they will initiate the conversation.

You’ll have to attend your wedding and then your spouse will await you at your home (if you have purchased one). If you choose the right partner, they might be able to act as your follower. My favorite part of marriage in Skyrim is the ability to return home and collect an allowance from your spouse, it’s just free money!

3. Explore a cave or ruin

I love, love, love to explore Skyrim. The visuals, creatures, locations, characters, it’s all so amazing. The best and scariest places to explore are the caves and the ruins. I always have to play a cheerful song down low, to even out the eerie mood. It’s so terrifying because you never know what is lurking behind the corner or what booby trap is awaiting you. If only I had a gold septim for every time I had to battle a draugr or dwarven spider… While caves and ruins can be hard to get through, it is almost always worth it. There is tons of treasure and more than likely, there will be another quest opportunity.

4. Purchase a home

When you first start Skyrim, the first home that you will most likely be offered is Breezehome in Whiterun. It’s worth 5,000 gold (not including the price to decorate). You may be super excited at the idea of having your own home, but I recommend not buying it. I regretted purchasing the home because Whiterun is such a basic place and so is Breezehome.

As time goes on and you complete more quests you will be offered more and more homes. Even better, you will be offered places like Lakeview Manor where you will be able to customize more than the inside of the house. Lakeview is a plot of land that you can get for the same price as Breezehome, if you are the thane of Falkreath.

At Lakeview, you will have to spend some gold in order to perfect your home but it will be worth it in the end. You can even hire a bard and a house carl at Lakeview so that your home will never be empty! Also, if you ever want to adopt children, you have to have a home purchased and a children’s room set up.

Finally, I have to let you know that as soon as you settle down in a home, all of your enemies will know how to find you. So, don’t be surprised if you return home to assassins on your steps or bandits in your home.

5. Save your progress

Sometimes, that bard is just too annoying or you were just destroyed by a Giant or you’ve been attacked by vampires for the second time in one day and you just need to blow off some steam. I recommend going to a local town and saving your progress.

Next, destroy everything. Attack the guards, steal all of the gold and raid homes. If you get away alive, great! If you don’t, reload your saved point and retry. The best use of this is being able to attack an annoying character that can’t die. You can show them how you feel without having to worry about being thrown in jail, killed or having to pay off a bounty worth more than your home.

I am also a very cautious player so I save my progress very often. No way am I going to raid a cave, win something amazing, and then lose it all when I accidentally upset a mammoth. You are guaranteed to take advantage of that save button at least once while playing Skyrim, so make it count.