Morrowind: The Elder Scrolls III
Score: 90% ESRB: Teen Publisher: Bethesda Softworks Developer: Bethesda Softworks Media: DVD/1 Players: 1 Genre: RPG
Graphics & Sound: Epic. The only word that can sum up every aspect of Morrowind. From the minute you step off the boat, the game sucks you in to a vast, living world. Weather and time of day effects, clouds moving through the sky (sometimes revealing a beautiful starry night), water gently rippling and reflecting all that surround it, ambient light from torches - everything comes together producing a feeling that this is a real world. However, as good as the game is at weaving this atmosphere, it can also break it just as quickly. Morrowind, as spectacular looking as it is, does have some problems. At times, character animations look a bit stiff and suffer from some stutter. Also, there were more than a few instances of characters 'levitating' after dying on a slope or creatures walking on air (this happens mostly in tight quarters). These problems are minor and for the most part forgivable. Morrowind's sound is just as grand as it's presentation. Sweeping musical scores accent every area you visit from low-key town melodies to dark cavern-exploring overtures. I was a little disappointed with a few of the effects though, particularly the 'screams' of my character while in combat - they were just silly.
Gameplay: Walt Disney once said, 'If you can dream it, you can do it'. The same goes for Morrowind. You begin the game with nothing but the clothes on your back. You have no name, no country, no money - nothing. The only thing you know about yourself is that you have just been released from prison at the Emperor's request and charged with finding a long retired general. After selecting a race, sex, and appearance for your character (all with special abilities), it's time to choose a job. This is the aspect of the game that will make or break your entire experience. Choosing a job is not something that should be taken likely - since it will affect everything you do. After learning some information about your past, you are presented with three options in selecting your job. Your first option is to choose from a list of generated characters - ranging your typical RPG classes. Those looking to let fate decide can take a test that will determine your class. Where you go from here is entirely up to you. You can choose to work your way through the game's main quest, take on quests for individuals, join a guild, or simply live the life of an adventurer and explore the tombs hidden around the world. Choose to be the hero and receive the accolades of people or simply travel the lands leaving ghost towns in your wake. Your only limitation is your own mind. Everything your character does affects how others treat you and how much they tell you - giving each player a totally different experience each time they play. Morrowind is, without a doubt, one of the most immersive gaming experiences I have ever had - which could also prove to be one of the game's major flaws. Given the game's scope, it may prove too daunting for the relatively fickle and short attention spans of most console gamers; especially those who need to have every step of their quest pointed out to them. If you strictly follow the game's main quests you're in for about 40-50 hours of playtime. Throw in the guild quests, individual quests, tombs, lost cites, and general exploration and you've got about 600-700 hours worth of gameplay ahead of you. This is the game you want on that desert island with you.
Difficulty: Ultimately, the difficulty of your quest will be determined by how well you build your character. Matching races and classes that don't compliment each other will mean certain doom. Players who choose to create a custom class will be faced with an even more daunting task - I definitely recommend checking out and spending some serious research time before attempting a class creation. Players should also take note that their character's level will affect the difficulty of certain quests. The best advice I can give is to be patient. If a mission seems too hard, level up and try again.
Game Mechanics: A few seconds into the game and it's fairly obvious that the developers played Halo - the control scheme is nearly identical in layout. Yet, as good as it is, the controls could definitely use some fine-tuning. To put it bluntly - the combat system is crap. I was hoping for a more dynamic combat system full of special moves and dodges (like the one found in Jedi Knight II); however all I got were stiff hack-fests. I was really disappointed that I couldn't do some of the simple things like circling an enemy. Despite this, combat works and it doesn't take too much away from the game. Morrowind is more of an experience than a game. This is not a weekend rental or even a week rental. Players who are willing to dedicate time and patience will be rewarded with one of the best RPGs around, and (in my opinion) one of the best games available on the Xbox.
-Starscream, GameVortex Communications AKA Ricky Tucker
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