A Gaming Classic – The Best and Worst of TES: Morrowind

With the Elder Scrolls Online Morrowind DLC on its way, I wanted to take a look back on the original game. When the Elder Scrolls III Morrowind was first released in 2002, it was a revelation. A fully 3D and open world game that you explore a vast fantasy island was more than anyone could imagine. Now, 15 years later, we are blessed with a second coming. ESO Morrowind promises to bring all the memorable places and feeling of the alien-esque elf land but this time, with significantly better graphics. However, we will never forget the classic island of Vvardenfell and all the joy and horrors it brought. We’ll be taking a look back on some of the better and worse things about the classic.

Silt Strider Across The Land!

Of course, the first thing on my list would be travel. Morrowind offered a vast, expansive world for us to explore. Ranging from grand cities to smaller, quaint little villages and everything in between it really was a thing to behold for its time. But, with so much ground to cover, you needed several ways of getting around. Of course, you could just walk everywhere but who has time for that? So, what did the wondrous island offer in terms of transportation? Well, there were the majestic and terrifying Silt Striders that were by far the coolest way to travel. Who wouldn’t want to ride inside a giant flea-like creature? Then there were the boats and finally, the Mages Guild.

Unfortunately, with so much choice, it still doesn’t get you everywhere, so for certain quests you would often find yourself running for what felt like an eternity. And, Morrowind isn’t exactly a peaceful land to run through. The one thing that Morrowind could have benefited from was fast travel. But. nothing is ever perfect.

Stairs? Why Not Levitate

This was perhaps one of my favourite spell effects in the game. Levitation was seriously over-powered so it’s no wonder they took it out of the later games in the series. If you have never experienced it, it was like turning no clipping off and roaming (more or less) wherever you wanted. Even places you probably weren’t supposed to be yet. I know people who broke their games by using this spell effect to get to places you weren’t meant to go until later in the game. But, that was all part of the charm of Morrowind. It makes me sad that you can no longer levitate around although I think that’s probably for the best.

If You Say Cliff Racer One More Time…

If you don’t know what a Cliff Racer is, then consider yourself blessed. Otherwise, you know my pain.

Beautiful Architecture

What isn’t there to love about the buildings in Morrowind? There is such a range is styles it makes each place feel unique. From the peaks of Vivec to the yurts of the Ashlanders they are all just as interesting as the next. Perhaps my favourite building is the giant mud crab shell in Ald’ruhn. I have already seen a snapshot of it from the ESO Morrowind DLC and I am already excited. Who knew you could get so much glee from seeing a building?

So, these were just a few of the my best and worst things about the original Morrowind. I don’t know how much will be in the new DLC for Elder Scrolls Online but regardless I am excited. To see a revamped Vvardenfell is a dream come true, I just hope it lives up to expectations.