I really liked the map markers from a practical point of view and the combat also felt way better (hits landing when it looks like they should).

Definitely a different type of experience, though.

That's a fairly reductive take in my opinion. Oblivion made the game approachable to a much wider audience. That may have been to the detriment of the core gameplay but it wasn't a _clear_ step backward. Some things went backwards while others moved forward.