The Elder Scrolls III: Morrowind® Game of the Year Edition
" Epic open-world RPG with unmatched freedom and lore but clunky combat and outdated graphics "
The Elder Scrolls III: Morrowind® Game of the Year Edition Review
The Elder Scrolls III: Morrowind Game of the Year Edition remains a landmark RPG renowned for its deep lore, immersive world, and unparalleled player freedom. Players repeatedly praise its alien, richly crafted setting of Vvardenfell, highlighting the complex interplay of factions, politics, and religion that shape the narrative. The game demands patience due to its slower pace, clunky combat mechanics based on dice rolls, and lack of modern conveniences like fast travel or quest markers, which some find frustrating.
Despite dated graphics and occasional bugs, the vast modding community and alternative engines like OpenMW significantly enhance playability and longevity. The game’s difficulty and learning curve are notable but rewarding, providing a unique experience distinct from later Elder Scrolls titles. Many players regard Morrowind as a timeless classic that offers hundreds of hours of exploration, questing, and character customization, appealing especially to those who appreciate rich storytelling and old-school RPG mechanics.
Highlights
Players consistently praise Morrowind's immense freedom of player expression and richly detailed, alien world setting. The game's lore and faction dynamics are considered some of the best in the series, offering complex, branching storylines.
The magic system allowing custom spell creation and the deep role-playing mechanics stand out. The handcrafted world of Vvardenfell is described as immersive and atmospheric, with unique travel methods enhancing the experience. The active modding community and OpenMW engine provide modern enhancements, extending the game's appeal and replayability.
Criticisms
Common criticisms include the game's dated graphics and clunky combat system, which relies heavily on RNG and can frustrate new players. The slow movement speed and frequent collision issues make exploration tedious for some.
Lack of fast travel and quest markers, combined with a steep learning curve and occasional bugs or crashes, can deter modern players. Some find the hostile enemy placement and respawning mechanics overwhelming. The game’s interface and engine limitations require patience or modding to improve usability.
Pros
- • Exceptional freedom allowing diverse character builds and playstyles.
- • Rich, alien world with deep lore and unique cultures.
- • Complex faction questlines with meaningful player choices.
- • Highly immersive atmosphere with handcrafted environments.
- • Robust magic system enabling custom spell creation.
- • Strong modding community extending content and graphics.
- • OpenMW engine improves stability and modern compatibility.
Cons
- • Combat is clunky and heavily reliant on RNG mechanics.
- • Slow and sometimes frustrating movement and collision issues.
- • No fast travel or quest markers complicate navigation.
- • Steep learning curve may alienate new or casual players.
- • Graphics are outdated and may deter modern gamers.
- • Occasional bugs and crashes disrupt gameplay.
- • Enemy placement and respawning can feel overwhelming.
Rating Criteria
The Elder Scrolls III: Morrowind® Game of the Year Edition includes Morrowind plus all of the content from the Bloodmoon and Tribunal expansions. The original Mod Construction Set is not included in this package. An epic, open-ended single-player RPG, Morrowind allows you to create and play any kind of character imaginable.
