The Elder Scrolls III: Morrowind GOTY Edition

Around 13 years ago, I have seen this game on my friend’s computer. It was buggy, unpolished but still amazing. Off course I purchased disk myself as soon as possible! Later I discovered modding possibilities (it was the first time I used mods in game). And after some time of using other people’s mods I decided to make my own. Then I started to learn how to use graphical software. And finally 3d Max (version 4.2 at the time). It was the turning point. Hobby became my main profession. I make 3d models and textures for over 10 years now. And it all started with this game. Sorry for my poor English.

I wish Bethesda would remember the things they did right in this game. The story seems cliché enough at first, with you being the 'chosen one' of an age-old prophecy. But it is perfectly integrated in the world and its lore and gains a lot of depth in the process. There are no obvious answers. Are you truly the reincarnation of the legendary General Nerevar Indoril? Or are you just the emperor's pawn in a political game for more influence over the traditionally unruly province of Morrowind? Does your character even know the answer? What really happend at the battle of Red Mountain, where Nerevar died. The game provides different answers to this question by means of different historical accounts - different factions have different truths. These are just examples why this game managed to conjure up the illusion of a 'real' world with 'real' history. For that illusion you just had to be interested enough to read those fictional historical accounts and start asking yourself questions like the ones above. The game encouraged that by letting your imperial contact in the city of Balmora give you a bunch of books and tell you: 'Read... If you are going to be involved in this you should get familiar with the land and its lore.' This is something a modern Elder Scrolls game would never do. The stories have become shallow. And while the same could perhaps be said about the underlying ideas of the Morrowind plot, the fact that it is inseparable from the world in which it takes place, is part of this world (and lets you, the player become a part of this world), its sense of historicity - all this make this game a world-building highlight. Is the game as enjoyable today as it was ten years ago? I think not. Morrowind has many design flaws, and many people have pointed them out. Mods can help with that, but to what degree, every player has to decide for themselves. I can't help but give this game five stars for all the things it did right here. Sooo right.

I've bought this in GOTY twice now. [Not here]. I played it for months on end and never found everything. First, go get the Ornithopter Overhaul. It's easy to install and has all the best mods to upgrade this game. For more play, add Tamriel Rebuilt. Are you a God-King? Are you faking the role for Fame or Power? THAT is what makes this game special. And once you beat the main quest, people treat you differently. Some quests break others. If you kill the wrong NPC you can break a quest. Pay attention to what you are told. There's actual RPG immersion to be had, here. I know people complain about the combat. If you are not experienced with a particular weapon--you WILL miss your swing. In real life, if you don't know how to use a sword and you are in front of Jackie Chan in full armor--you still won't be able to damage him with it. If you view the combat that way, you won't be disappointed. THAT is why this game is so immersive. Because there are real consequences to your actions and how the NPCs will treat you--not just some tacked on different ending. And be warned, the enemies will not scale to you, thank Vivec. Work your way up to the Power of a God-King or die like a worm.

Morrowind is an awesome rpg with a fantastic story. One aspect I really love is that you can create a character that is awesome at everything - there are no limitations if you want to have a figher/rogue/spellcaster. What you end up with after playing through a vast open world is a character with epic gear that can do pretty much anything. I love the spellcasting system, the ability to craft your own spells, the lore associated with the world, the soundtrack, and the gear. This is one of my favorite games of all time and I am happy to finally see it here with both expansions included. The only con to this game is that eventually your character gets so good that enemies are not much of a challenge, but the story and the world is so engaging I still find myself excited to start the adventure again.