Is the experience at all spoiled by the game's popularity? It's a great game in its own right IMO

I envy you. If you ever decide to get into the mods, I wish you well on your extended break from literally everything else.

Also, the Dawnguard DLC is pretty fun and you don't have to do much of the main quest line to start it.

I say this mainly because Serana's awesome and out of all the vanilla companions, she's one of the few with an actual personality. And Laura Bailey always gives a great performance.

She's just fun to have around. Plus you get crossbows and some cool armor not in the base game.

Lol, sorry, I just really enjoy that DLC. You play however you want, but I need to just point in her direction because I love her.

If you ever get into modding, please try out Inigo, you won't regret it 💙

I hope you're not playing Anniversary Edition for your first time with the game. Getting bombarded with all that Creation Club stuff would not be my ideal first impression.