The Elder Scrolls III: Morrowind

"The most non linear single player game ever!"

The PC version of Morrowind was the first PC role playing game that grabbed me and wouldn't let go. This game has really understood the role playing genre. Sure the game has crippling flaws but I guarantee you no single player game is this open ended and as epic as this. It is good to play for hours at a time. Only play this game if you have a lot of time to waste and like open ended games.

Graphics and sounds 8/10
The graphics in this game are really good even by today’s standards. Although they are a little outdated with not a great draw distance. The graphics have good textures and very varied breathtakingly stunning landscape design. The real gab of the graphics in this game is undeniably the superb art direction. All the amour is wonderful looking and distinctly unique. There are easily a thousand amour and clothing combinations for you character. All the cities have very distinct designs. The sounds in Morrwind are not very good. The sound effects are all boring and when someone hits an enemy with a sword it sounds pretty bad. The spell sounds are pretty cool especially heal. The conjurations (summons) all have no sounds. Why? It hurts me. The music adds some epic scope to the game and is catchy. It's fun to hum a long to the music. The music is kind of lacking in variety. The tunes are totally fitting in the environmental surroundings.
Gameplay 9/10
This game as fore mentioned is the single most non-linear single player game I have ever had the pleasure of playing. The world in Morrowind is vast and varied. The sheer size of the game may turn some gamers off but role playing fans will greatly enjoy this game. You can run through this world and kill anyone and do anything. The size of the world may leave some gamers lost and confused. The combat in this game is pretty dull here is a sample of the rather boring combat Click, click, click, heal, click, click and so on until you beat the guy. Although the combat isn't great it's more fun than it sounds. Mages are a lot of fun to be and add some strategy but not much. All of the conjurations are sweet looking. Your skills for something are based out of a hundred and they improve as you use them. When you first start and select your race class and birth sign. You are released to the world and unfortunately can't do much exploring or you'll wind up dead. There are cool mage attacks as well. All the spells are really cool and fun to pull off. The best city in my opinion is Balmora because there is a lot of guards to talk to (or kill if that’s what you’re in to). The trader there is simply a delight. He is somehow funny without trying to be. There are many moods for this game because so many people like this game and are willing to go the extra mile. The best mods will include quests and other amour as well as other goodies. As if this game didn't have enough value already it comes with a construction set. In this construction set you can create your own cities and towns. This is a really cool addition for modders or if you just want to make your own really nice and cool looking town.
Controls 9/10
The control all feel natural and the auto run is very helpful. The third person and first person both control the same but the first person feels better because it's more familiar. In fact first person is where you will undoubingly spend most of your time because of the easier controls. Though the game will sometimes demand third person for the jumping puzzles. When you are flying high the controls are the same. The only gripe with the controls is that if you are a low level mage or any level warrior you will have to press the attack button 5000 times before you can kill a guy.
Story 6/10
The books in Morrwind try very successfully to add history to this world that is the only saving grace in the otherwise boring and repeated story. Some books are really interesting like the 36 lessons of Viec series. Others aren't so good like the book of dawn and dusk. Also when you read some of the books you can up your stats in a particular skill. For instance say you read a given book. Well in the bottom right corner of the screen it will say having read the given book your mercantile skill has increased to 45. So now you are 1/100 better at persuading someone to give you a better deal when you buy something. Due in part to a more relaxed gaming experience the story never shows its head much. Although there is a main story I have never really completely understood or liked that aspect of the game. The boss of the game is disappointing.
Overall 9/10
So in conclusion the game is fun yet a sloppy combat system may turn some gamers off. The story is bland and bring for a role-playing game such as this. Also you may want to keep some items otherwise you can't do some of the quests later on. This is a greatly crafted RPG with open ended gameplay. The only thing to gripe about is the sub average story and sloppy combat unless of course you are a mage with good conjuration then its lots of fun. The controls all map nicely as well. The first person mode is a little more balanced then the third person.

Is this game a buy or a rent? Well if you like open ended games then this is your game besides you can't see everything in this game if you just rent it. If you like games with stunning stories and more path flowing then don't even consider this game.

The bottom line: A must buy for RPG players

Reviewer's Score: 9/10, Originally Posted: 04/15/04