Morrowind (The Elder Scrolls III) is the third adventure in the Elder Scrolls series and offers a similar open world fantasy RPG challenge as the previous titles. Released in 2002 for Windows and the Xbox the game is also available on modern Xbox consoles through backwards compatibility. Exploring the Vvardenfell island your primary goal is to uncover the growing threat on the world from the demigod Dagoth Ur who seeks to take control of Morrowind and free it from the Imperials.
In the The Elder Scrolls III: Morrowind you’ll arrive to Morrowind by boat in a familiar form as players take on the role of prisoner soon to be pardoned. Serving also as a tutorial players will follow through with this pardon while engaging in fairly deep customisation for the time. As a free citizen now players able to choose their sex, gender and class which ultimately changes your starting stats and skills that will likely influence how you face the various threats Morrowind has to offer from start to finish.
With your avatar for the adventure ahead created players are set free into the world from the starting town of Seyda Neen where you can adventure outwards to find quests and storylines. Between the main and side missions you’ll learn more about the inhabitants, major events and the struggled of the Tribunal who are the god-like beings that rule over Morrowind and currently under threat by the demigod Dagoth Ur. Supporting Dagoth Ur are also a large number of cult followers from his Red Mountain home which is a volcano in the centre of Vvardenfell island that provides great influence over the surrounding areas. In time you’ll face off against Dagoth Ur while also uncovering a deep array of prophecy lore that pertains to the player.
Gameplay is fairly similar to the other Elder Scrolls games with some key game mechanics introduced that would later became staples of successive games in the series. Like other RPG games the depth of character creation is fundamental to the depth and replay potential that Morrowind offers. Selecting one of the ten races (each with a male and female variant) allows you to roleplay as an Argonian, Breton, Dark Elf, High Elf, Imperial, Khajiit, Nord, Orc, Redguard and Wood Elf. This goes beyond a visual decision though with each impacting your attributes (strength, intelligence, willpower, agility, speed, endurance, personality and luck), magicka bonus, initial skill levels and resistances.
In traditional RPG fashion each of these attributes dictates a range of mechanics although is most notable through the skills that are enhanced. Endurance for example will boost your heavy armour, medium armour and spear weapon class that make it ideal for a combat specialised hero and often paired with strength given this provides boosts to your other combat weapons of axe, blunt and long blade. At the other end of the specialisation spectrum you’ll find willpower empowering you in 4 of the magic types while speed grants you stealth focused short blade weapon mastery.
Regardless of your initial Morrowind character design you’ll dictate further progression through levels and quest progressions while engaging in the various sub mechanics that enable you to have an effective character for combat. This includes alchemy, enhancing and money that all contribute to character power and require you to obtain loot while on an adventure.
Summary:
- Return to the world of Elder Scrolls with the third game in the series that offers a similarly expansive world.
- Same active focused hack and slash combat you’ve come to love with combat, magic and stealth available pathways.
- Plenty of choice in character creation lets you create a character for you and develop them over the course of your adventure.
- A massive skill list across combat and utility to roleplay as your own adventurer and approach the quests in different ways.
- A classic released in 2002 for Windows and Xbox (now expanded with backwards compatibility).
Links:
- Buy Morrowind (GOG)
- Buy Morrowind (Humble Store)
- Buy Morrowind (Amazon – Xbox)
- Buy Morrowind (Microsoft Store – Xbox 360)
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Review Platform: PC
