Already convinced and ready to jump straight in? Feel free to skip straight to part 2.

Will I enjoy Morrowind?

NOTE: This section is fairly large – If you’re in a hurry (e.g. Morrowind is $5 on the Steam Sale and has three minutes left), check out this table and read the TL;DR!

If you’re reading this guide, I’ll assume that you’ve probably played and enjoyed Oblivion or Skyrim (or both!). After dozens or perhaps even hundreds of hours of gameplay, you’re aching for something new to fill the Elder Scrolls void that’s slowly growing inside you. You know that Oblivion and Skyrim are just the fourth and fifth instalments of the series, and that there must be some fun to had in earlier titles: Arena and Daggerfall are a bit before your time, and there’s no way you’ll find an obscure copy of Redguard floating around, but what about Morrowind?

You’ve done your research, looked up youtube videos, reviews, maybe read through the Wikipedia or UESP articles. It sounds great, doesn’t it? Hell, some players even prefer it to Oblivion and Skyrim. Perhapps you’ve grabbed it cheap off steam, or found a copy gathering dust in a thrift store or your older cousin’s basement. Perhaps you’re considering getting or installing it, but you’re just not quite sure what to expect. One things for sure though, if people are still playing, modding, enjoying and ranting about a game for over a decade despite two direct sequels, then there MUST be something good about it, right?

Of course, since I’m the one writing this guide, all I want to do is scream “Right! It’s fantastic!” and drag you in kicking and screaming for a wondrous adventure across Vvardenfel. Like your friend that swears by the shitty bar down on mainstreet, however, I could be wrong. You might not like the bar – the drinks are expensive and they just don’t play your taste in music (you HATE dancing too – “why on earth did he bring me here? – you ask yourself”). To be fair, Morrowind isn’t for everyone, in the same sense that Skyrim, Oblivion, Halo, Age of Empires, and Monopoly isn’t for everyone. People have different tastes, and Morrowind is no exception. The thing about this game, however, is it seems to be one of those rare cases of either you love it or you loathe it. If indeed you have done your research, no doubt you’ve heard players swear by the game’s immersive atmosphere and fantastic writing. And likewise, you’ve most likely heard other players groan about how they “just couldn’t get in to it”. That’s fine, and each to their own. Since you’ve gotten this far, however, I’ll assume that you’re at least curious. You want to give this bad boy a try, don’t you? That’s right, you know you do!

Unfortunately, many people think exactly that and jump in without knowing what to expect. After their first half hour they’re lost and confused, or if they have figured it out they’ve realized at the last second that this just isn’t their cup of tea. To help you decide whether or not Morrowind is for you, I’ve compiled this handy little table: Simply compare the statements on the left to the statements on the right and ask yourself which one you agree with more :

I enjoyed Skyrim/Oblivion for the setting and storyline, not just the gameplay. I didn’t care much for Skyrim/Oblivion’s story; I just enjoyed the action. I felt immersed in Skyrim/Oblivion’s world and lore (Or: I wished Skyrim/Oblivion’s world was more immersive) I didn’t care much about the characters or the world. I don’t want to know more about Tamriel, I just want to kill stuff! I tend to enjoy slower paced games – I don’t always need constant action to enjoy myself I’m not very patient – I’d often skip dialogue even if I hadn’t heard it before I enjoy reading; I don’t have a short attention span. I rarely ever read, it’s too boring. I much prefer movies to books anyway I enjoyed exploring in Skyrim/Oblivion – I would sometimes prefer to ride my horse from one place to another rather than use fast travel. “That cave is THIRTY whole seconds away? Sigh, time for fast-travel!” (Bonus question for players that have played both Oblivion AND Skyrim): I was sad to see some of Oblivion’s deeper features and RPG elements removed from Skyrim. I missed attributes (Strength, Endurance, Intelligence, Willpower, etc.) and felt that things had been ‘dumbed down’ a little. Levelling up and getting NPC’s to like me was confusing and frustrating in Oblivion. I much prefer just choosing to upgrade Health, Stamina and Magika. Skyrim made things a whole lot simpler, and it’s for the best.

If you found yourself agreeing more with the statements on the left than those on the right, then congratulations! You’ll fit in to Morrowind just fine! If the opposite is true for you however, Morrowind might just not be your slice of cake. By all means, if you’re still curious continue on with this guide and give it a go – you might end up pleasantly surprised with what you find.

Don’t let this segment scare you off – Morrowind is no Dwarf Fortress. If you stick to it, you’ll be on your feet and enjoying yourself in no time. There are just a few minor things that take a little getting used to, as with any older generation game. Consider this guide your training wheels – Riding a bike isn’t easy, but learning by yourself can feel a little daunting. Don’t worry, I’m here to help.

What’s so good about Morrowind, anyway?

Still not quite convinced? Feeling a little frugal and don’t want to open your wallet to Steam just yet? Here, let me help convince you by sharing why Morrowind is my (and many other’s!) favourite Elder Scrolls title:

More content! The main storyline ALONE includes 32 quests, with over 370 total in the main game (and that’s just standalone Morrowind, NOT including the two expansions!). Compare that to Oblivon’s 180+ (Main story has 18 quests) and Skyrim’s 244 (Main story has 20 quests, two of which are optional). I’ve been playing Morrowind for years now and haven’t even scratched the surface quest-wise, I’m always finding something new to discover!

The main storyline ALONE includes 32 quests, with over 370 total in the main game (and that’s just standalone Morrowind, NOT including the two expansions!). Compare that to Oblivon’s 180+ (Main story has 18 quests) and Skyrim’s 244 (Main story has 20 quests, two of which are optional). I’ve been playing Morrowind for years now and haven’t even scratched the surface quest-wise, I’m always finding something new to discover! More factions and quest-lines! In Oblivion, you’ve got the Fighters Guild, the Mages guild, the Thieves guild, the Arena and the Dark Brotherhood. That’s a grand total of five main joinable factions, and five relatively short questlines to go with them. In Morrowind you have the Fighers guild, Thieves guild, Tribunal Temple (the native Dunmer religious institution), the Morag Tong (a guild of assassins), the Imperial Cult, the Imperial Legion, and three of Morrowind’s Great Houses (the political bodies of Morrowind) – Hlaalu, Redoran and Telvanni. That’s 10 factions with a lengthy questline each! (And that’s not including the 3 vampire clans!)

In Oblivion, you’ve got the Fighters Guild, the Mages guild, the Thieves guild, the Arena and the Dark Brotherhood. That’s a grand total of five main joinable factions, and five relatively short questlines to go with them. In Morrowind you have the Fighers guild, Thieves guild, Tribunal Temple (the native Dunmer religious institution), the Morag Tong (a guild of assassins), the Imperial Cult, the Imperial Legion, and three of Morrowind’s Great Houses (the political bodies of Morrowind) – Hlaalu, Redoran and Telvanni. That’s 10 factions with a lengthy questline each! (And that’s not including the 3 vampire clans!) More Skills! – Skyrim had just 18 skills, Oblivion had 21. Morrowind boasts an impressive 27 skillsets, including Medium Armor and Spear!

Skyrim had just 18 skills, Oblivion had 21. Morrowind boasts an impressive 27 skillsets, including Medium Armor and Spear! More Weapons! – Throwing Knives? Check. Throwing stars? Check. Darts? Check. Spears? Check. Crossbows? Check.

Throwing Knives? Check. Throwing stars? Check. Darts? Check. Spears? Check. Crossbows? Check. Weird and Wonderful! – Feel like Oblivion takes a generic page from The Lord of the Rings? Skyrim showing off the impressive but already seen Norse themes? Morrowind really is it’s own world – All the familiar Tamerialic themes are still there, but the home of the Dark Elves shines in its own unique way that just hasn’t been matched by any other Elder Scrolls game, before or since.

Feel like Oblivion takes a generic page from The Lord of the Rings? Skyrim showing off the impressive but already seen Norse themes? Morrowind really is it’s own world – All the familiar Tamerialic themes are still there, but the home of the Dark Elves shines in its own unique way that just hasn’t been matched by any other Elder Scrolls game, before or since. Unique spells, scrolls and potions, including levitation! “Holy shit, I’m flying!” – Only in Morrowind!

“Holy shit, I’m flying!” – Only in Morrowind! So much lore, and so immersive! Enjoy the world of Tamerial, but felt there just wasn’t enough story in the other titles? The writing in Morrowind is unbelievably in-depth. If playing Skyrim was like flipping through a magazine, Morrowind would be all your favourite Wikipedia and Cracked articles combined! The entire world feels alive .

Enjoy the world of Tamerial, but felt there just wasn’t enough story in the other titles? The writing in Morrowind is unbelievably in-depth. If playing Skyrim was like flipping through a magazine, Morrowind would be all your favourite Wikipedia and Cracked articles combined! The entire world feels . An active modding community AND continuing graphical improvements! – Worried that Morrowind, a decade-old game, might not be aging too well? Think again! The Morrowind Sound and Graphics Overhaul has you covered, bringing you the beautiful visuals of today to one of the best RPG’s of yesteryear. Not only that, but this guide will walk you right through the installation process (Spoiler: It’s super easy!).

– Worried that Morrowind, a decade-old game, might not be aging too well? Think again! The Morrowind Sound and Graphics Overhaul has you covered, bringing you the beautiful visuals of today to one of the best RPG’s of yesteryear. Not only that, but this guide will walk you right through the installation process (Spoiler: It’s super easy!). It’s cheap! At the time of writing, The Elder Scrolls III: Morrowind® Game of the Year Edition is only $19.99 US/AU via Steam (£12.99)– And best of all, it frequently goes on sale at 50% or even 75% off (Yep, $5/£3.25 for well over 80 hours’ worth of gameplay plus two expansions if you’re lucky!). Not only that, but since it’s an older game you can likely stumble across a second hand copy for much cheaper! (While we’re on topic, if you plan on purchasing Morrowind, GET THE GAME OF THE YEAR EDITION! Trust me, even if you never set foot in the new territories added, it’s worth it. Better UI, and most modifications including the Sound and Graphics Overhaul mentioned above require it).

Convinced yet? Good! That’s the spirit!

Before we start, there are a few common questions that I feel I should address, for your sake. A few of these explore the not-so-great things about Morrowind (Alas, it’s not perfect, no game is), so I’d suggest you skim through them before you decide whether or not to buy it if you’re still on the fence.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: “I’ve never played Oblivion or Skyrim, but I wanted to start with Morrowind. Is this a good idea?”



A: Generally, if you’re new to the whole Elder Scrolls series, I’d suggest you play through one of those titles first. Morrowind has a bit of a learning curve, but Oblivion and Skyrim will help you ease in to the gameplay. Don’t worry, you won’t have the story spoiled by playing through either of them (Skyrim does contain some minor Oblivion spoilers, though), and you won’t feel ‘lost’ in the story without playing the earlier instalments. Q: “I’ve played Skyrim but not Oblivion (or vice versa), could that be a bit of a problem if I want to get in to Morrowind?” A: It shouldn’t be at all (this guide caters to both players that have only played one or the other, or both). However, I’d personally suggest playing Oblivion if you’ve only played Skyrim before. The jump from Skyrim to Morrowind is a pretty huge one; Oblivion will help bridge the gap. Plus, all three are amazing games, if you haven’t experienced them all you’re missing out! Q: “I’ve heard that Morrowind doesn’t have voice acting. Is that true? How does that affect the gameplay?” A: That’s partially correct – Morrowind does have voice acting for greetings, combat taunts and the like, but it doesn’t have full voice-over dialogue, like its later counterparts. That’s probably one of the biggest differences between Morrowind and the later games, but it’s nowhere near as daunting as you would expect. In fact, personally, I enjoy having written dialogue – You can get through it at your own pace, and the quality (and quantity) of writing is a lot better in my opinion. A lot of the dialogue in Oblivion and Skyrim is much shorter than in Morrowind, and for good reason – It’s boring sitting around listening to some old mage yabber on forever telling you his life story. Do you ever find yourself reading the subtitles before the character you’re talking to finishes his line in Oblivion and/or Skyrim? Then you’ll love Morrowind’s dialogue system. Trust me! Q: “I’ve also heard that Morrowind doesn’t have Fast Travel or Horses. Is that true? How do you get around without them?” A: Yep, that’s also true – Don’t go closing that tab though! Again, there are benefits to their removal, hear me out! Don’t get me wrong – It takes a bit of getting used to. Firstly, there are three main forms of travel in Morrowind – Silt Striders (Massive… Creature… Things… You’ll see what I mean by “Weird and Wonderful” when you see them!) can transport you across land, boats by sea, and mages can teleport you between mages guilds, all for a small fee of course. In adition, many new spells, scrolls and magical effects can help you get around – Mark and Recall lets you set a position that you can teleport back to at any time, Intervention scrolls allow you to instantly teleport to an imperial or native shrine (even during battle, handy for quick escapes!), and best of all, levitation spells and potions allow you to – what else- levitate! That’s right, you can fly! While we’re on the topic of getting around, I should mention that Morrowind does NOT feature quest-markers pointing you where to go. “WHAT?” – I hear you screaming – “But how do I know how to get around without a little marker telling me where to go?” – Two things, directions and your journal. NPC’s will give you directions, these will ALWAYS be logged in your journal. It’s a lot more realistic, and in my opinion it’s much more fun searching for something than following a marker and feeling like the quest is ‘on rails’ the whole time. This was removed from later games for a few reasons, the main one being that the addition of full voice acting would have made it a bit awkward (not to mention the hundreds of direction lines that would have to be recorded by Bethesda) and secondly because, well, it’s a lot easier to follow a little pointer than following directions. At first you’ll probably get confused and frustrated, but if you pay attention it’ll grow on you quickly. Nothing feels better than the “Ahh, there it is!” feeling of accomplishment that you get by finding something the Morrowind way. Q: “I’m thinking about playing Morrowind on Xbox/Xbox 360. What advantages/disadvantages will I face?” A: Well, first of all, rest assured that this guide (especially the tutorial section) will still be relevant to you if you intend to play through on the Xbox version of Morrowind – I won’t screw you out of having fun just because you’re using a different system. That being said, if you possibly can, I highly recommend you grab the game on PC, even if you’ve already got it on Xbox. The main reason would be due to the lack of modding support, which means no upgraded graphics and miscellaneous tweaks that make playing through the game so much more enjoyable. If you’re worried that your PC won’t be able to run it, rest assured that if it was made within the past four years you won’t have a problem, but you might have to tune down graphical settings if you do decide to install the aforementioned overhaul. Even a crappy laptop should be able to run Vanilla Morrowind reasonably well, and there are Xbox controller support mods out there if you prefer using a controller and have a USB or wireless controller port. Unlike Oblivion and Skyrim, Morrowind was designed primarily with PCs in mind and later ported to the console, meaning that the interface is also a little cumbersome and awkward to get around (not to mention that you’ll be reading a lot, so your TV may cause quite a bit of eye-straining without widescreen support). Q: “What are these ‘Cliff Racers’ I keep hearing about?” A: Oh boy… You’ll, um, love them. Yeah. They’re awesome. Trust me.

If you’re still reading, and you’re still keen, I strongly suggest you grab yourself a copy and continue on to the next section. Next up, I’ll teach you how to ‘update’ Morrowind to today’s graphical standards while still keeping the experience as vanilla as possible with Morrowind Sound and Graphics Overhaul 3.0, plus a few other tips and tricks to get the ball rolling.

TL;DR – Morrowind is a fantastic game, but it’s not for everyone. If you’ve loved other instalments in the Elder Scrolls series (and don’t mind sacrificing a bit of the hack-and-slash style action gameplay for deeper, more immersive lore and significantly more quests/content), then continue on and give it a shot!