The Elder Scrolls III: Morrowind
About the Game
Freed by the decree of Uriel Septim VII, the Emperor of Tamriel, a lone prisoner is transported to the province of Morrowind. It seems that the strange dreams this prisoner has been having lately may have a connection to equally strange events occurring there. The protagonist is given a simple assignment: join the Blades, a secret organization whose goal is to protect the safety of the Emperor. This leads to the discovery of an ancient prophecy and an evil scheme concocted by a powerful deity whom the protagonist alone is able to stop.
Story & Setting
After being released from a prison ship at the shores of the island Vvardenfell, the protagonist may do more or less what they want: follow the main quest and solve the mystery of an ancient prophecy, join any of roughly a dozen guilds and rise in their hierarchy by performing duties, or simply explore the gigantic island with its stylistically diverse cities, hundreds of dungeons and tombs, ancient ruins and mighty fortresses. The enemy's hit points and condition were not originally shown; however, at the request of the playerbase, a health bar was added for enemies as part of the first upgrade patch. The protagonist's race and gender, but also their reputation, influence the reactions of NPCs. If a character's sympathy for players is low (rated on a scale from 1 to 100), they might refuse to answer questions; if it is high, players will get more detailed information and better bargains in shops.
Gameplay & Core Systems
Conceived in the tradition of the Elder Scrolls series, Morrowind is a fantasy role-playing game with a vast world open for exploration. Morrowind uses a two-stage skill system. The hero's primary stats (strength, etc.) increase with each level gained, while secondary abilities improve by use; for example, the more often the character jumps, the more proficient they become in the Acrobatics skill. The action-oriented fights are simple exchanges of strikes or spells, until one combatant dies.
Standout Features
- Most quests involving other persons can be solved by persuasion, pickpocketing, or simply by force.
Presentation & Atmosphere
The game's NDL 3D game engine is powerful in drawing wide, detailed outdoor landscapes as well as complex indoor environments.
Audio support includes Dolby Digital and Dolby Digital 5.1.
