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#106

Originally developed for the PC, The Elder Scrolls III: Morrowind is an open-ended RPG set in a fantasy realm populated by an assortment of species, races, and character classes. An unwilling passenger aboard a slave ship, the player arrives in the port of Seyda Neen with little more than a handful of coins and instructions to deliver a package to an Imperial officer in the distant city of Balmora. By answering questions posed at the beginning of the game, players are able to customize the race, sex, class, birth sign, and skill set of their character. A plethora of skills (both primary and secondary) and abilities allow players to create distinct characters, from a magically proficient thief to a stealthy, accomplished warrior. For the less creative, one of 21 predefined character classes can be chosen. Though primarily played from a first-person perspective, a third-person view is also available. The continued use of specific skills will see them improve over time. Excessive use of particular attributes can lead to exponential rises in ability points. Additionally, when a character rises in level, points are awarded that can be assigned to core attributes, such as strength or intelligence. Certain non-playable characters will also train characters to increase specific attributes...for a price. Though Morrowind provides a main story line for players to follow, exploration is encouraged, effectively allowing players to do as they wish. Side-quests, which range from finding items to learning spells to assassinating someone, can be performed at the player's whim on behalf of various factions or guilds. More often than not, there are multiple ways to attain a desired result. Player can be good or bad in their deeds, though needlessly killing people will result in the disposition of those around you changing for the worse. This in turn can lead to higher prices for goods or may hurt one's chances in obtaining vital information from people who would otherwise be more forthcoming. As with a character's actions, being a member of a specific faction will affect the attitudes of those around you -- members of a certain cult may be welcomed in one town and shunned in another, and naturally, the various factions have dispositions toward one another as well. Battles take place in real-time, allowing players to attack with whatever weapon or spell they have at their disposal. Of course proficiency with, and the attributes of a specific weapon or magic ability factor into the character's effectiveness in battle. While the Xbox version of the game lacks the character, quest, and environment construction set found within the PC game, it retains the ability to save anywhere, allowing players to jump in and out of the game as desired.