The Elder Scrolls III: Morrowind Game of the Year Edition

"Can you improve on perfection? YES!"

Elder Scrolls III: The Morrowind, a graphically stunning RPG with hundreds of side-quests, and loosely-defined main quest, and the possibility to do anything you wanted as any sort of class you wanted among a multitude of races to choose from. The graphics were superior to anything seen before on the X-Box, there were voices linked to literally thousands of NPCs, and there was so much to do you'd have to try just in order to get halfway bored with it. How could it be improved at all?

Two words: Tribunal, Bloodmoon.

The graphics still kick it, the sounds are excellent, and there are even more voices, quests, and land to cover. And that's just the tip of the iceberg.

So...with that established...

Graphics: 10/10
After the releases of games like Halo and Silent Hill 2, I thought we'd reached the epitome of graphics, atleast as far as the present-generation systems could go. Then I got my hands on Morrowind and almost facefaulted. In GOTY the graphics are still as stunning, and with new landscapes, building, creatures, etc. to oggle at, it's no disappointment. If one only liked graphics they could easily play Morrowind GOTY for no other reason.

Sound: 8.5/10
The sound was excellent. The music isn't very fast, but then you aren't either. The themes are mroe of a heroic nature, and they are very well done. The reason this doesn't get a 10 is there is no real evil theme, and with GOTY the didn't really introduce anything new into the world other than voices. Would've enjoyed something brand-spanking new.

Combat: 10/10
For me this is where the game truly shines. Most people dislike the fighting in that just because you strike doesn't mean you hit...I love it, however, because it's just like playing a game of Dungeons and Dragons. Even if you swing your sword, if the dice roll says you miss then you miss. I may sound off for saying this, but I wish they'd have the critical misses where you hurt yourself...but I really have no complaints. If you hate tabletop RPG's then you might want to avoid this, but if you want a well-done system of dice rolls, then this is definitely a game you'll enjoy.

Magic: 10/10
So many spells, so little time! And if you go through them all, then make your own! This is every little creative geeks dream. Want a spell to drain the enemies health while restoring your fatigue? Go for it! Burn the enemy, freeze the enemy, and boost your defense? Why not? With up to eight spell effects the possibilities for creation are nearly limitless. With varying degrees of every effect for a wide range of uses, from light practice to hardcore casting, this is the best-thought-out magic system I've ever seen.

Story: 9/10
The biggest reason for such a high story score is because there practically is none. There's a main quest, but it's neither mandatory nor extremely linear. You do what you want, when you want, where you want. The only downside I can give is in that waiting too long to complete the main story can result in having your path blocked altogether by a missing NPC.

Controls: 10/10
Not much to say here. You hit forward, you go forward. You hit the left trigger, you jump. It works spot-on and I've never had a single problem. Definite high-grade for no flaws.

Replay: 10/10
What can I say? I have 32 save files right now, and not a single one of them have anything remotely in common between the characters. Every one is a different class with different armors, specialties, spells, etc. There's no way not to replay this. Once you play one way you'll want to play another, and another, and another...

Overall: 10/10
There's not much of a way to improve over it anymore, but as soon as they find a way to they will. I know because I said the same thing with the first game (Of which I've still only half-played). This game is a monster and one I doubt will ever be fully tamed. Better yet, it's much more stable than the first game too. There's no reason not to get this masterpiece of an RPG.

Buy or rent? Buy!
There's no way to ever get a smidgen of this banquet down your throat in only three lousy days, or even two lousy weeks! Trust me on this...I've had the game almost a year, and this version since it's release...and it just can't be done. Buy it, buy it, buy it!

Reviewer's Score: 10/10, Originally Posted: 11/10/03