A game that you may not fully appreciate a first, but one that gets very exciting as you go...
Graphics:
6/10 - Normal
9/10 - Better Bodies + Retexture Mods
Average - 8/10
The graphics that come with Morrowind are pretty good, but really leave a lot to be desired. Many of the backgrounds are quite dull and a lot of scenery not very interesting to look at. Also the bodies of characters in the game really look obviously like big groups of polygons. However by installing the Better Bodies Mod and a Mod that replaces the backgrounds it makes a huge difference to the game and makes it a lot more fun to play. With these new mod additions the backgrounds become beautiful to look and and character models look as if they had come straight from a 2006 game.
Gameplay 9/10:
Gameplay in Morrowind can take a bit of adjusting to, especially if you're used to playing RPGs like Final Fantasy, Dragon Quest, Tales of the World, Breath of Fire etc. There is no experience system in this game, however there is still leveling up. Morowind takes a more 'real-life' approach to learning skills and levelling up. By using weapons and armor over a period of time your skill with them will improve. When you have had 10 skill increases you will level up.
In terms of combat the game is in real time and takes a hack and slash approach. There are numerous weapons in the game to use ranging from Ninja throwing stars, daggers and longswords to bows, enchanted weapons and two-handed swords. Each weapon has its own strengths and weaknesses and it will take wuite some time to master them all.
The World of Morrowind is huge and akes a very long time to explore even half of it. There are many dunegons to explore an loot, factions to join and do quests for to get money and items and reputation to be gained around the world.
Sound 7/10:
Morrowind soung on the whole is good, but can be a bit lacking. Background music in this game is very dll and there are basically onlytwo tracks in the game: general music and battle music, thats it. It can get very tiring to listen to. Thankfully sound effects are much better and its always fun to listen to your character beating someone up, not so fun when you're the one being beaten up though. Voice Acting on the whole is pretty good, but theres a limited mount of voices and people start sounding very similiar very quickly.
Story 9/10:
Well I use the word story very loosely as you can make this game anything you want, you don't even have to follow the main storyline unless you want. Basically you have been pulled out of Prison for an unknown reason and sen to work for the Blades Spymaster. The Blades are spies for the empire, the eyes and ears if you will. It is your job to follow orders, all the while being confroted with the Nerevarine Prophicies. How do you fit into it all?
Value 10/10:
This game is virtually endless. The main quests itself (if thats all you were to do) would probably take 10-20 hours depending on if you know exactly where you're going or not. However, its almost impossible not to be drawn into what else this game has to offer. As a quick idea of whats there is in the game, heres a quick list:
- Main Quest
- Faction Quests: Imperial Cult, Imperial Leigon, Mages Guild, Fighters Guild, Thieves Guild, Morag Tong an more...
- House Quests: Redoran, Halalu, Telvaani
- Exploration, Dungeon Crawling
to cmplete everythingthis game has to offer, you'd probably be looking at maybe 150-200 hours. Yes, that long, and thats not even including the massive amount of stuff fans of the game have created for you to add onto the game and play! You can also create your own stuff using the construction set that comes with the game!
Outro 8.8/10
Morrowind is a great game, even if it takes a bit to get into. By installing a few mods to improve the look of the game it makes it that much more enjoyable to play and with the massive amount of stuff theres always plenty to do. For $10 this is definelty worth a buy!