Better Late Than Never Reviews: The Elder Scrolls III: Morrowind.

Liberaliter

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Sep 17, 2008
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[HEADING=1]The Elder Scrolls III: Morrowind.[/HEADING]

Morrowind was released in 2002 on the Xbox and PC, offering the chance to explore a vast new world. Whilst complex, once you know what you're doing, this is one rewarding experience.

[HEADING=3]The Good[/HEADING]

Wait, what time did you say it was? Morrowind is a game of impressive size and scope. Perhaps the biggest appeal of the game is being thrown into a complete new, almost alien-like world. Whilst most games give you Elves, Goblins and quests, Morrowind gives you a rich setting completely soaked in backstory, history and lore - with the unique creatures, races and places to match. Thankfully this never quite feels overwhelming, the culture and politics of the land of Morrowind are revealed gradually through in game books, talking to the NPC's and generally exploring this finely crafted world. This is not your typical swords and sorcery RPG. The plot overall tends to stick to a big hero saves the world affair, but its the bits inbetween and how this tale is told which really make the game different, leading to hundreds of hours of playtime.

Screw you doomed world! The game further encourages exploration into its rich lore and setting by letting you roam free. I don't mean it in a sense that you get to play through a couple of time with different classes, oh no, no. Morrowind's setting is a big place, you are free to leave the people of the land to their fate and not partake in any grand quests, instead why not join up with the local fighters guild? Like magic? Try the mages guild instead. There are literally hundreds of different ways to play, one of the best things about this series is opportunities for roleplaying. Do what you want, when you want. The classes are not bound to your character either. If your Orc feels like giving up a life of bashing helpless peoples heads in with a big hammer then why not leave that life behind, train your other skills, join the local religious cult. Not having classes cast in stone after character creation means that you can pursue anything that takes your fancy.

Give them the tools to build it, and they shall come. Mods. PC gamers love them, console gamers envy them. Morrowind is ripe with a massive backlog of user created content. Anything, from quests, new places to explore, NPC's, armour, weapons, you name it. The community is still there, pumping out new stuff quite regularly. Mods are in essence the life blood of this game, adding infinite playtime, makes me wish all games had modding capabilities like this.



[HEADING=3]The Bad[/HEADING]

That sword hit and you know it! Being a game released in 2002 means it will feel quite dated, this is to say some players will probably be turned off by the old fashioned complexity, dated graphics and questionable combat. Gameplay itself is perhaps a big flaw, if you swing a sword at a skeleton you expect to hit. Well it doesn't always, first it calculates you're strength, skill level, enemy armour, etc. If you have played this games successor, Oblivion, then the change will be drastic and not everyone will like it. Luckily some things can be fixed by mods, but console players will be left a bit stranded.

Bugs, bugs, bugs. The game is marred by quite a few bugs and glitches. Some can be game breaking, others quest breaking. Generally it does feel a bit unpolished and rough around the edges and there will always be little things that mods seem to miss. These bugs can hinder enjoyment of the game, if it were not for these then it would be hard to criticise it.

Characters made of cardboard. The NPC's in Morrowind are a strange bunch, whilst somehow exhibiting personalities through non voice acted dialogue, they all move like stiff planks of wood, shuffling awkwardly around their set routines. The staticness of the NPC's can sometimes be a drag on the otherwise excellent atmosphere, they just don't feel very realistic.

[HEADING=3]In Conclusion[/HEADING]

Morrowind is one of those rare gems in gaming, limitless possibilities and fun - if you are willing to put the effort in and learn its intricacies. The dated gameplay can subtract from the experience at time, but this is one rewarding, deep game.

Buy it

[HEADING=3]Odd Moment[/HEADING]

Walking casually through an otherwise desolate, atmospheric swamp to see an elf plummet from the sky infront of me, letting out a loud scream. I stood puzzled before robbing his corpse and continuing on my merry way, chuckling as I discovered the cause of his unconventional death...

Cossacks [http://www.escapistmagazine.com/forums/read/326.195871-Better-Late-Than-Never-Reviews-Cossacks]- Liberaliter - Better Late Than Never Reviews - 19th May 2010
Morrowind and Oblivion [http://www.escapistmagazine.com/forums/read/326.192265-Better-Late-Than-Never-Reviews-Morrowind-and-Oblivion#6055714]- Liberaliter - Better Late Than Never Reviews - 2nd May 2010
SWAT 4 [http://www.escapistmagazine.com/forums/read/326.191487-Better-Late-Than-Never-Reviews-SWAT-4]- Liberaliter - Better Late Than Never Reviews - 28th April 2010
Just Cause 2 [http://www.escapistmagazine.com/forums/read/326.186030-Better-Late-Than-Never-Reviews-Just-Cause-2]- Liberaliter - Better Late Than Never Reviews - 5th April 2010
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The Elder Scrolls III: Morrowind [http://www.escapistmagazine.com/forums/read/326.170907-Better-Late-Than-Never-Reviews-The-Elder-Scrolls-III-Morrowind]- Liberaliter - Better Late Than Never Reviews - 25th January 2010
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Ironic Pirate

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May 21, 2009
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Well done good sir, I believe the elf killed himself because his review was not as good as yours.
 

Pimppeter2

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Dec 31, 2008
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Its a fairly decent review, covers basics and has a pretty nice length. Though a more flowing type review would have been appreciated. (At least by me)

Ohh, and I love this game!
 

Julianking93

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May 16, 2009
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Well done.

Never played this before and I really have no intention to but still nice review.

Try being a bit more descriptive and use a few more pics.