The Elder Scrolls III: Morrowind Review

The Elder Scrolls 3: Morrowind Gameplay

This classic role-playing game has been on the peak of fame throughout the years, despite being almost 20 years old. RPG fans often call it one of the most in-depth games of the genre of all-time, as it presents a unique levelling system heavily inspired by Dungeons & Dragons tabletop game. The setting of the Morrowind world originates from Western European mythology with some hints of East Asian and Middle Eastern culture aspects. It also features several steampunk details which fit well into the style.

During the two successful years after release, the game has received two expansions called Tribunal and Blood Moon which were compiled into the main game later. The final game edition with two expansion packs and some other minor add-ons received a name of Morrowind: Game of the Year Edition and was released in 2003. There have been many third-party mods coming out throughout the years, some of them are as recent as 2020, so the game fully supports modding for upgrading the quality of the gameplay. The community of The Elder Scrolls series has been keen about enriching the modification collection.

The adventure starts with the protagonist's waking up, as the Dunmer, dark elf by the name of Juib, asks how can he call you. The character creation begins at this point, and the game starts to open up in various ways. Once you've created a hero, the interactive environment allows you to move in any direction to explore the world. The game has the main questline centred on unique story, but Morrowind is an open-play style RPG which lets the players do whatever they want and be who they wish.

The practice of individual skills determines character development in Morrowind. Since the game is inspired by classic Dungeons & Dragons character creation system, it allows creating a unique character. Practising the craft by performing it raises efficiency. Particular abilities can be bettered by training, which is done by paying specific NPCs with gold. Another way to be proficient in individual skill branches is to read books found in the game, it grants an immediate ability increase, but books are often scattered around the world, and some of them can only be purchased from merchants.

Morrowind presents 21 set classes to choose from, and each one possesses a specific skill set, governing attributes and abilities. You can decide to be a magic-wielding character such as Mage, Sorcerer, and Witch Hunter. Stealth fans could pick an Acrobat, Agent, and Thief, and classic tank fighters and damage dealers are presented as Knight, Barbarian, and Warrior classes. Traditional archetypes can be multi-classed into something more specific by correcting stats and abilities, which provides complete uniqueness.

The crafting system of the game does not present a diversity of creating forms. The only things players can craft are potions, weaponry enchantments and spells. Recently, the game has been heavily modded to add crafting abilities similar to the fourth and fifth parts of the series, which involve blacksmithing, alchemy and advanced enchanting, but with different mechanics. The original game completely lacks blacksmith skills, but the gear found on the bodies of dead enemies and in the dungeons do not require you to create them yourself.

Alchemy allows defining the ingredients found in the lands of Vvardernfell, which can be used in creating potions for the character. Such elixirs provide specific effects, whether temporary or one-time: healing, water-walking, magic shield generation, disease curing and increasing bodily attributes. Increasing the alchemy skill will let the player determine more ingredient qualities, meaning the potions would be more effective.

Enchanting can be used to apply a permanent effect on a piece of gear or an arm. The enchanting is performed by harnessing the soul of a particular creature by using and recharging a soul gem. You can avoid having to learn the skill yourself and pay money to the professional enchanters to do it with a 100% success rate.

The island of Vvardenfell is home to various guilds, some of which can be joined later in the game:

The Blades are the spy elite of the Empire and the Emperor himself that provides military and intelligence service.

Census and Excise is a governing faction that controls tax payments, immigration and prison system. This faction cannot be joined, but it has several related quests.

Dark Brotherhood is a Tribunal guild that possesses assassins of the highest ranks that often cooperate with the government. This faction cannot be joined as well, only providing related quests.

East Empire Company is a merchant guild that operates throughout the island.

Fighters Guild is a faction of highly trained bodyguards and bounty hunters. They mostly rely on their physical when achieving goals.

The Imperial Cult is a guild that supports the chief religion of the Empire and provides many opportunities in the game's mysticism.

Imperial Legion is a faction of the main Imperial army and police force.

Mages Guild provides training in the magical arts, including enchanting and spells making.

Thieves Guild is a faction that mostly focuses on executing criminal activity events, bounty hunting and contraband.

It is possible to join multiple guilds, only if they don't conflict with each other.

Overall, The Elder Scrolls: Morrowind presents the vast field for unique character development, fantastic scenery in the world precisely worked out with all of its quests and stories, as well as various characters, each of which possesses a grand knowledge and a rich past.