The Elder Scrolls III: Morrowind

"The game that defines 'Epic'"

How do you review a game like Morrowind? To start, what you get out of this game entirely depends on what you put into it. While this is true of all games, it is especially true with this game. Why? Most games like to pull you around on some sort of leash when you play. Even games that people consider very open ended-games like Grand Theft Auto 3-tend to guide you from point A to point B in order to further enhance the experience. That is not the case with Morrowind. That's not even in the same ballpark with things in Morrowind. Morrowind is an extremely open ended game, basically allowing you to do what you want, when you want, however you want. See a nice shiny new sword in a store that you maybe can't afford, or don't want to pay for? No problem. Steal it. Don't want to go down that path? Ok, kill the shopkeeper and take it. Don't want to be evil, huh? Still recessing those murderous rampages inside of your head, letting the ''do unto others'' mentality that people try and teach you shine through? Fine, be that way, have less fun than the bad guys, and work your ass off for the money.

That's a typical thought train that goes through your head when you play this game. Do you do this, this or this? For each and every little situation, there are tons and tons of answers. Of course, your actions come back to haunt you. Kill a shopkeeper or a civilian and the cops will be on your ass faster than Britney's bra growth. Stealing is the same way, but if you steal you also have the person themself to contend with; so now you're running form the cops, a murderous victim and maybe even that cliff racer that just won't leave you the hell alone.

I'm not saying Morrowind is for everybody. There is a lot of freedom here, and there's no chance that you're going to enjoy it if you're fresh off of the abomination that is FFX, and expecting another bland Japanese style RPG that Square seems to be offering now. No no, this is a WESTERN RPG (not like Wild Arms, you ninny!) There is nothing but wide open fields and mountains for you to traverse. Tons and tons of towns to visit, and at least 5 ruins and caves to every town. Morrowind is like America was, in a way. It is a land of opportunity. Somewhere for you to come and prosper, or somewhere for you to come and lay about, taking the easy route and suffering the consequences for it. It is the land of freedom, and overwhelming it is, but only for five minutes out of the registration office.

So I have told you of the things Morrowind has to offer, but what kind of person would i be if I didn't regail you with a tale of my own journeys, in order for you to compare it to what you expect form this game?

So, one day while playing the game, I got kind of bored. No, not because the game is boring, but because I didn't want to do missions anymore. I had been doing them for hours, and I just wanted to explore. I saved the game and pulled out the map that comes included in the game case and eagerly searched for my new destination. Spotting a small town that looked like it could be the perfect sight-seeing spot, I quickly began to trace a course through the mountains, but then decided against it, and figured that there would be no fun if I took the fast route and didn't see a little of the world the game so happily offered me. Even after all the missions I had done, I had still not left the southwest part of the map. Very unfortunate, as there was still at least twenty LARGE towns (not including all the small outposts) waiting for me to venture to them. Hiding my stuff in a small storage barrel outside of the local club in Balmora, I strode over to the local armorer. I had my equipment repaired and set off on my journey. Along the way, I passed a large town called Ebnoheart. Not wanting to pass up this opportunity I hastily entered the big sea-side area and looked around. After I got my fill talking with the locals, I headed to the local tavern, for it had gotten late, and my character needed rest. After I awoke the next morning, I set off once again, and swam across several bodies of water, including one of the canals in the great city of Vivec. After I reached dry land, I quickened my pace, eager to get to the town I had seen on my map. I wasn't staying on the beaten path, however, and I quickly found myself at the door to some ruins. Not one to pass up such a great chance for plundering, I entered and took what I could, only to go back and sell it in Vivec. Then, I continued my journey. Sometime at dusk, I found some strange ruins with bizarre markings on the wall. There I found a necromancer who was sitting alone. Knowing what kind of people they were, I thought it best to find a different area of the ruins to sleep. I rested under the stars that night, and with the coming of the sun, I was up and ready to go. I passed through a few more small villages and eventually found myself at ANOTHER body of water. This one, I found had some clam-like creatures at the bottom. These creatures had pearls in them, and checking the price, I found they were quite valuable. Thus, I took the pearls and went back to the closest village and sold them. I got a good share of money from that deal, too. Thus, I set up my camp, and figured that I would begin a pearl diving business, in order to fund any future expeditions I might have. I prospered with my business, and soon found that I had more money than I knew what to do with. Then I saved, and shut the game off, and finally got in some well-deserved rest for myself.

Ya' know, I never did make it to that town. Maybe I will some day, but for now my business is booming and I'm as happy as a clam.

I've gone on long enough, time to get done with the proper review.

Graphics 7/10

THe box promises insane ploy counts, but if there are then it's in the game as a whole. Some of the models are retty nice, and the textures are great, but everything else is pretty bad. The framerate, for instance, is very stuttery in the bigger towns of the game. And the vision is very very low, bu that's understandable because of the extremely large world.

Sound 8/10

I like the music. And the sound FX fit perfectly. But the voices are just goofy.

Gameplay 7/10

A mixed bag here. The combat and magic systems are poor, but everything else fits pretty nicely. I, personally,was overwhelmed by that amount of stats you have, however. But that's just because I was never into table-top RPGs, so I never had such a high amount of them to deal with. Table-top fans and stat-whores are sure to love this game.

Replay 100/10

Infinite. Literally. There's an infinite amount of customization you can have on your character. Want an archer/mage with a high sneaking and armorer ability? Don't worry, it's there. Want a valiant knight who likes to smash things with a hammer? Oh yeah, it's here. Want a noble paladin who excels in healing magic and short swords? You can do it. If you can imagine it, your character can become it.

Story N/A

Umm, I put N/A because you make your own story. You read MY story, I made that happen, the game didn't. There IS a main stroy here, and to that I give a 6, but you won't be paying attention to the main story much, if you play this game the way Bethesda meant for you to (but there is no right or wrong way to play, mind you.)

Buy or Rent? BUY

You can't rent this game! There'll be nothing to do in five days! This game requires you to put time and effort in, to get the full effect!

If you've read this far, I highly suggest picking this game up. You OBVIOUSLY have an interest, right? Do yourself a favor and indulge yourself into the sweet sweet scene of Vvardenfall.

Reviewer's Score: 7/10, Originally Posted: 03/14/03, Updated 03/14/03