Poll: Morrowind Or Oblivion

[Stampede]

I'm going with Oblivion for this one. While Morrowind is and always will be a classic, I can really roleplay in Oblivion much more so than Morrowind. I have downloaded mods to stop common enemies from using powerful weapons and armour, thus making it much harder to find.

 

Before anyone goes 'oh well, there you go, you had to download a mod to fix a flawed system' let me retort by saying that it would only have been a problem if doing this was some great inconvenience to me. Which it was not and secondly any game that leaves itself open to improvement by the players is already scoring major points with me.

 

I will always compare every rpg I play to Ultima VII, but that's just me. That's the benchmark which all CRPG's that I play will be measured against and so far Oblivion has much more in common with U7 than Morrowind had. (Apart from the free flowing-kill whoever-option.) So for me, its Oblivion baby.

[clintonius]

Well, I'm actually a little surprised. I figured that the comparison would have been a little bit more balanced but it seems a slightly higher number of people prefer Oblivion to Morrowind. I am also very pleased to see the number of gamers who voted for Oregon Trail, even though it wasn't a valid choice.

 

I have been running this poll for a week now and I feel humbled by the results. I was so sure that Morrowind would be the victor but it would seem that I over estimated Morrowind's success. Even though my initial assumption was proved wrong, I feel satisfied with the results. I thank everyone for their participation and I hope that people continue to vote and share their thoughts, for that is what this topic was all about. Thank you.

[Martiscus]

Personally, I think that The Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion is better then The Elder Scrolls III: Morrowind.

 

Signed,

Martiscus

[Cadarn]

Personally, I think that The Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion is better then The Elder Scrolls III: Morrowind.

 

Signed,

Martiscus

 

I'd settle for the Morrowind Game "World" and rule set running with the Oblivion graphics engine.

 

When the modders fix all the horrific balance/"realism" issues, Oblivion will be fantastic.

 

(I miss the Cliff Racers, their plumes and Levitation potions.)

[Qasid]

Let's see.... I'd say Morrowind had its advantadges, that have been largely lost in Oblivion, but still, I find Oblivion amazing.

 

Comparisons:

 

1) First of all, the WORLD: In Morrowind, the limits were SEA, so you could swim infinitely. I yesterday reached the north end of Cyrodiil. I got an annoying message telling me I couldn't go that way, and should turn back. How is the modding community ever supposed to add new lands, if there is a limit?

 

1.a) I've just come through the wonderful idea of someone [not me cos I have no clue on modding] adapting the whole province of Morrowind to Oblivion. It's theoretically possible isn't it?

 

2) SKILLS: In this point, I'd prefer Morrowind's division. Short Blade, Long Blade, Axe, Blunt. An axe is not a club, and a dagger is not a claymore. That is pure logic. On the other hand, I really like the fact you go through levels of skill in Oblivion [a pity it's not gradual though].

 

3) ITEMS: I will complain forevermore about armours being like they are in Oblivion. Yes, they're amazingly good-looking. But! In Morrowind an armour equaled: helmet, 2 pauldrons, 2 bracers or gloves, a cuirass, greaves, and boots. In Oblivion the whole body is covered with the armour, greaves, boots, bracers. I miss pauldrons. Remember how cool it looked in Morrowind, with Hlaalu house pauldrons ? I also dislike your being able to buy amazing items at a merchants (anyone how many magical stuff you can buy at the merchant's quarter in imperial city?)

 

4) COMBAT: I love the combat, it has *sense*, which it lacked in Morrowind. I mean, in Oblivion, blocking or not blocking *makes* a difference; so does moving, you gotta learn to fight. I also prefer the sneaking system in Oblivion, where light and what you're wearing affects. Still I think it lacks considering if you're hiding on the bushes or walking on mudd.

 

5) BALANCE: Oblivion's system has its advantadges and disadvantadges. Just like everything. The way the world is more difficult as you level up reminds me of Final Fantasy series: it makes everything a bit more lineal. Still, with a little modding, like Adventurer's Mod, it is perfectly enjoyable.

 

6) RADIANT AI: Doesn't look so radiant to me, indeed, much better than Morrowind, but I still don't like the fact guards know EVERYTHING. But it's lovely to see people has a life, etc.

 

7) FINALLY: If you check some FAQs you'll see Bethesda says Levitation etc. were removed for technical reasons. Well, I don't see why. When I need to levitate, i bring up the console and type "TCL". Almost as good as levitating.

[Malchik]

Having adopted the strategy of not levelling up I am enjoying the game more. I am at level 6 and the battles can be hard but achievable with the right strategy. This I am sure continues if I were to level up. What I objected to in the levelling process was not so much that other enemies levelled with you (insane though it was, I could cope with it) but that the number of fights you had when walking around increased disproportionally. As most of the quests involve fighting and there are plenty of caves and ruins to explore (not to mention endless Oblivion gates) I still cannot see the need to make the game such a pain to get around. And YES I can kill the creatures unless set upon by several at once and even then I can outrun them. It remains a pain in the arse to have to do it. Instead of adding realism for me it adds to the yawn factor. (My opinion I know others feel differently). It is a bit like the annoyance of cliff racers in MW. Inside ruins etc I have no problem at all with the idea. I refer only to exploring in the open.

 

That remains my main issue with Oblivion.

 

Things I like better in Oblivion: the graphics, the fact that people have lives, the generally more interesting quest lines, the need for some thought and preparation before completing quests (I had particular fun with Garridan's Tears). The fact that increasing you skills actually gives bonuses greatly appeals.

 

Minor niggles - the fact that for cost reasons the number of voices is minimal. (BTW is Linda Carter doing Nords AND Orcs?) I can live with it. In fact most of the time I leave the sound off. But it's a pity a few more couldn't have been found. The fact that you cannot easily tell where you have been on a map is a niggle. I studied Cartography as part of my geography degree so I can remember quite a bit but MW was easier to work with in that respect. I also wish the green and purple arrows were not quite so insistent. I know I need to talk to the beggars after being given a TG quest but again I can live with it.

 

Major niggles. The personality game (I have posted elsewhere) is ludicrous. It needs drastic revision or elimination entirely. Quality control on item placement is lackadaisical. I acquired a spirit free home in Anvil to find the furniture is floating off the floor. The items placed on top of cupboards are also floating about. And surely to goodness however heavy footed I might be, must things fall off shelves when I get close? MW was much better in this respect. Bethesda - you need our moderator Switch for proper quality control! The dumbing down of the quests through the journal entries makes me feel they think players are moronic. 'I have acquired one of Garridan's tears. I should keep looking. There may be more!' 'I have found X tears I should return to...' Why not say how many there should be and let you find em? MW was basic enough yet there were a few times you had to think. I imagine the next game will have entries like 'You are about to enter a crypt. There may be several ghosts. Don't forget ghosts can't be harmed with normal weapons.' 'You do not have enough healing potions with you for this quest' etc.

 

Overall I don't believe the games are directly comparable as each has its plus and minus points. It is just a pity that the chance was missed to turn Oblivion which IS a good game IMO into a great one.