Title: The Elder Scrolls III: Morrowind
Company: Bethesda
Genre: Action RPG
Platforms: PC; Xbox
Date: 2002

Synopsis: A game where you have complete freedom to do practically anything you want, where your only limitations are your own imagination (and limits of the programming). Pretty much anything from the impressive to the mundane is possible. There are few things you cannot do in this game and with an interesting plot (that you can choose to follow or not) in a massive world to explore, this game will keep you occupied for hours on end.

The Highlights
Scenery: Stunning
Gameplay: Immense freedom in an immersive and expansive world full of “life”
A.I.: Limited actions available with NPCs; enemies are “simple-minded”

This game is HUGE! So huge that each copy comes with a map of the continent the game takes place on. This massive size is simultaneously one of the games greatest assets and one of it’s worst. Traversing by foot is incredibly time consuming and possibly boring if you’ve explored there before. It is helped by different traveling methods. i.e. teleportation, ship, caravan rides, magic. But to find unique and/or powerful items, people, quests, etc… You’ll have to do a lot of traveling on foot.

As I’ve stated earlier, you’re allowed an impressive amount of freedom. You can do whatever you want within the game’s very broad borders. But with its massive freedom and, literally, hundreds of side quests, it’s very easy to get side tracked multiple times from the main quest (if you chose to do it). But the game would be way too short if you just did the main quests. You need those side quests to experience the game and the “life.”

Its graphics are quite good considering the time it was created. What is really amazing is the landscape, especially the skies. They’re down right beautiful. Several times while playing I’ve stopped and just looked at the landscape, watched the clouds go by, or looked at the night sky. The attention to detail is simply astounding and gives the game a beauty that you don’t see too often.

The “life” I’ve referred to a couple of times in this game is truly remarkable. The game has its own cultures, beliefs (religions), and even prejudices. It’s a whole other world, and very little was spared in making this game. You can choose from any of the races present in this world and take the abuses and complements that are given to you by NPCs. Each race also has its own abilities. Most are good, some are bad.

I particularly enjoyed the leveling system. Any player can do something another can, just with varying efficiency. Everything you can do is dependant on your level in the skill that pertains to what you’re trying to do. There are three skill classes: strength, magic, and stealth, each with their own twelve skills. The more you work with a particular skill the quicker it will level. For example, for Marksman, the more you use ranged weapons such as bows and throwing knives, the sooner it will increase in rank. There is another tier, however, which is major and minor skills. You choose 5 of each and once you increase 10 ranks in any of those 10 skills, you will level. When you level, you will be allowed to increase your attributes, ones you use more often will be increased more.

Combat is pretty simple, all you need to do is draw your weapon or ready yourself for a spell. Whether or not you hit with a weapon and how much damage you do depends on skills and the weapon type. Whether or not you succeed in casting your selected spell depends on skills and your current physical status. There really isn’t much to it, but it’s easy to get into it. And hand-to-hand fighting can be quite entertaining.

This game is definitely one to get if you’re into first-person RPGs or RPGs in general. The attention to detail makes games like Morrowind a rare breed. If you don’t mind waiting, the sequel The Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion is due out middle of 2006. Oblivion promises to be better than its predecessor, in both gameplay and appearances.

The Rating: 9

Reviewed by: Zirilan