Review for Elder Scrolls III: Morrowind [PC version]

[SuperBrolly99]

This is a condensed version of a review on my site, but it should give out the important information:
The plot is...well, I don't really know much, what I DO now is that your a prisoner, but you are brought to the continenet of Morrowind, home of the Dunmer, or Dark Elves. Released by the Emperor's order himself, you are given instructions to deliver a package to someone. Whether you do, however, is entirely up to you.

Which is why I don't know alot of the plot. I was too busy trying to rise my rank in my guild and increase my skills. The level and skill system is simple: Whenever you use a skill correctly, you gain skill experiance, based on what it is. For example, since actually hitting something with a weapon is harder then casting a weak
spell, you gain from my experiance about twice as much skill experiance for the weapon. When a skills experiance reaches 100, it goes up one point. If it was a major or minor skill [more on that later] it raises how close you are to leveling. You gain a level up for every ten total skill points you gain. Levelling allows you to raise your stats. You can raise three different ones. If a stat has X2 or X5 or such next to it, it raises by that much.
Otherwise, it only raises by one. However, the stat Luck can only increase by 1 per level.

The battle system also works well. Basically, a click will cast a spell or swing. If you hold the button with a weapon, you'll do more damage the longer you hold it.
The game also lets you dodge spells and attacks.
Jumping, fighting, swimming, running and more lowers your stamina, which effects your success at everything.

Another feature is making your own spells and magic items as well as potions. This is a rather complex procedure, so I won't go into it here except for making spells
where you choose the effects [you need a spell with an effect before you can do it, so fireball or fire storm lets you use Fire damage effect], then pay for it. Your told
the magicka cost and success rate with your current skill.

Also is the games interesting crime and punishment, you can:
A: Pay the fine. This depends on your crimes, stealing is whatever the value of the items are. Murder is ALOT, if they even arrest rather then hack you up.
B: Go to jail. Your skills will lower, depending on how long your in the prison.
C: Resist. Run or fight!

A or B will make you lose ALL your stolen items, even if you weren't caught stealing them! Don't worry, find the evidence chest and you can get them back!
Generally, I recommend A. Also, if you turn yourself in, the Guards will take it into consideration and give you a less harsh fine.

Another fun feature is the game lets you royally mess the plot since you can attack and kill ANY NPC. A plot critical character making you angry? Kill him if you want. You won't finish the main plot, but you can continue playing. Heck, if your powerful enough to ward off the guards, you could potentially kill every NPC in the
game, since in my experiance only monsters respawn.

Their are also many caves, dungeons and Daedric Ruins with less then friendly monsters. Some ruins even give out quests!

At the beginning you can either answer questions to get a class, choose one, or make your own!
You have five major and five minor skills. These skills start higher then the rest and make you level up. I believe they also go up faster.
You also choose two stats at first that will be higher then the rest.

Conversation goes differently then most games. Although you will be given dialogue options sometimes, you usally click on keywords to talk.

The barter system allows you to try to get more gold for your items or to pay less. If the merchant diagress, he'll like you less, though. Not a problem, if your speech skill is good enough, compliment him to get him to like you more. Just don't mess up, or he will dislike you. If that won't work, good old fashioned bribing is in order! You can bribe ANY NPC in the game [providing they don't stop the conversation as soon as it begins], getting them to like you more if it works. Which it usually does. Even the ugliest, surliest person can open ones heart with afew G's. Another use of speech is taunting. Why? If it works enough, he attacks you. So, since your defending yourself, the guards won't intervene, allowing you to help yourself to their possesions. This was how I got some VERY useful armor VERY early on.

There are several different races, all with unique skill increases and abilites.

Finally, other then many different guilds, three "Great Houses", which can get you a house of your own and many side quests. The PC version also has an editor and a soon to be out expansion.

Now, the bad parts. GLITCHES! There are a fair number, including one very ugly one I've encountered. Luckily, the latest patches kill ALOT of glitches, including said ugly one. Also, your computer needs one heck of alot of power to run. The skill system can also make it too easy or too hard to level. However, stronger monsters appear at higher levels. At REALLY higher levels [30+], REALLY strong stuff wanders the land.

Overall, it is a good game if it will run. The editor leaves infinite possiblities and the many different quests and such give excellent replay value.
The good:
Awesome replay value.
Superb graphics.
Excellent gameplay.
Many side quests.

The bad:
Glitches. [somewhat fixed with patch]
Too easy/too hard.
Occasional framerat drop.

The ugly:
The system requirements.

Overall: 90%