Oblivion Vs Morrowind

[jzbaker]

What I found was that alot of the magic which was enjoyed in Morrowind was lost in Oblivion. In Morrowind I enjoyed wandering off into the unknown, with little and vague obligations and boundless curiosity. The map was mysterious.

Right from the start I felt Oblivion tiresome; the landscape, although beautiful at times grew boring and repeditive. All, and I mean ALL of the potential immersion in the game was lost with me with the use of the map marker and the comprehensive map. All you end up doing in this game is slavishly following the marker to the next location so that you can run another boring errand for someone obviousely inferior to you...most of the time this involves opening the map and clicking on your target, then waiting for the area to load, after which you run a short distance to your destination where you must either engage in another boring conversation or fight your way through another set of boring monsters. Oblivion encourages you not to think for yourself. This=no satisfaction. What adds to this sense of dissatisfaction is the unbelievable lack of unique objects. After having played Morrowind, i was shocked how easily I stumbled upon bodies upon bodies of full daedric armour. No longer do I get satisfaction from hoarding and even proudly displaying my loot as I did in Morrowind.

Combat in Oblivion, although improved from morrowind ends up being a mundane task. Bows are useless. In real life if I shot anyone through the head with a bow and arrow, they would die. Not in oblivion. You end up retrieving at least 15 arrows from the seemingly un-touched corps of your enemy, which brings me to another matter, the complete lack of gore. I dont know about you guys, but the more carnage fo me the more satisfaction. I want the option to behead and dismember my enemies! The blood is stingy and u hardly ever even see it on your weapon. Pathetic. Swords are not supposed to be blunt, they were designed to cut!

Maybe I'm asking too much of Bethesda for a semi-realistic experience. That bunch of nerds seem to be missing the main point of a good open ended game altogether...The sea is still just a bowl of soup; where are the mighty waves crashing onto the shore during a storm??? Where is the real time boat travel? Why are there invisible walls when freedom of movement is such a major theme??

All and all, they missed out on providing a potentially great gaming experience. All this I think can be summed up in three words and one abreviation: Radiant AI is Dumb.

[Eother]

Yeah...that kinda got to me as well. However, I decided that I would enjoy the game anyway. I agree, it does seem dumbed down...but sometimes I enjoy the dumbed down. There were times in Morrowind when I simply could NOT find what I as supposed to find. Ticked me off...also, the journal is ten times better. What I don't like is how they got rid of a lot of skills and spells, like medium armor and levitate...and jump!! I loved jump! Also, there IS a better gore mod...I found it once, and couldn't find it again because I am dumb. It's somewhere on the site, though.

[Setsuei]

There are lots of things I feel Morrowind did better than Oblivion, but then I think about how many mods I was running on Morrowind, and how extensive some of them were. My experience of Oblivion has already been vastly improved by mods, practically all the problems mentioned above can be rectified if you manage to find and combine the right mods, and those which aren't will probably be attended to in time. Of course, the waves will never appear, I mean, seriously, do you have *any* idea what you're talking about? When's the last time you even heard of a game where they had simulated waves crashing against the shore? And I don't mean just adding some white froth textures.

 

There are mods that makes equipment suitably rare; I'm level 36 and have yet to piece together an entire set of glass or daedric (though I am close). There are mods that disable all quest markers and all quick-travel. There are mods that add the old-time Morrowind spells to Oblivion (look for Lost Telvanni Codex, it works surprisingly well (note: surprisingly well still incorporates some bugs)). There is, as mentioned, at least one mod that makes blood more gory, which also instructs you on how to edit your own .ini file to make the blood behave as you wish (if you set the values to what he suggests it looks damn good, with your sword splashed with blood and gore splattered on walls and floor, all staying there for far longer. It is a bit heavy on the ol' system though, so i recommend some more moderate values)

 

There is actually even a mod which lets you sail your own ship around. And all this is just a few months after release. Just wait until the big projects start appearing.

 

Morrowind was a great game, but I believe the main reason I sometimes feel it does better than Oblivion is the work of the dedicated and talented MW-modders. The most important thing to me about Oblivion isn't necessarily what it was right out of the box (though of course that does play a rather large role for what can be done by modders later), the important thing is the potential. In two years time, I will be able to build my Oblivion install into a magnificent monster, eating away at any moment of free time I get.

 

This got a bit long, 'cause it turned into a counter-argument against every person I've seen posting about their disappointment with Oblivion.

 

Conclusion: Get going with those mods. Browse, download, install and marvel at the difference.

[Kiilers]

I think Oblivion is best. Better quests, better grafic(SUPRICE) And much better and easyer to controle your carcter. Its so much simpler than Morrowind and thats that i like most.

[Marxist ßastard]

Better quests? That's definetly going to need some explaining.

[Erlkoenig]

I like the combat better and the ability to manually block, oblivion is better.

[Eother]

Better quests? That's definetly going to need some explaining.

Well, the quests are more involving, aren't they? They have some definite twists in some of them, they aren't so mundane (going into the artists painting, going into a nightmare!). They are much easier to get into and enjoy. I had a TON of trouble finding quest areas in Morrowind. Here, it is fun and easy. So, there is your explaining.

[jzbaker]

Better quests? That's definetly going to need some explaining.

Well, the quests are more involving, aren't they? They have some definite twists in some of them, they aren't so mundane (going into the artists painting, going into a nightmare!). They are much easier to get into and enjoy. I had a TON of trouble finding quest areas in Morrowind. Here, it is fun and easy. So, there is your explaining.

Yes, maybe I was wrong in suggesting that the quests were 'better' in morrowind. It is obvious Bethesda made an effort to spice things up a little(i.e the puzzle element to the mages quests). However, I still found that the developers cheated me out of an immersive experience in certain quests due to the limits of the game engine. For example in a dark brotherhood quest when you get the option of stowing away in a box. Instead of actually crawling into the box and then being carried by the pirates onto the ship in real time, you are prompted with a menu which when clicked teleports you directly into the ship. Lame.

[Quatloos]

Not necessarily quoting, disputing or agreeing with any of the views here - however being a VERY long time Morrowind player (beta tester for original)..on into the expansions..then...all the wonderful mods. I am now at this point in my Elder Scrolls journey.

 

Oblivion blows the socks off Morrowind - graphically - period - I think that's a given. The music (by Jeremy Soule) is outstanding. The horses are so much fun to ride, new architecture is nice - but unfortunately, I think THAT's where it ends.

 

Oblivion is simply overall too easy (in spite of difficulty slider). I run an xlnt creature spawn-increase mod to give me a challenge. The interface is horrible (improved thankfully with mods) - and I generally ignore the built-in "helps"although if (when) I get bored with the sameness, I will just hop over to "that little green arrow thingy there" get it done and move on.

 

I do not feel the... "ha ha dear ole Uncle Crassius" - everyone hates Fargoth? involvement. Where are the wonderful Great Houses and the "battles" for supremecy. Where are the suspicious wizards up there in their "own little plant world"? Where are the Temples not free, you will donate to get help from? Divine intervention? Almsivie? Mark/recall? - so many deleted wonderful MW spells.

 

Where is the underlying intrigue of the snooty Imperials controling most everything in whatever small form. "You already have nearly everything and yet you want more?" I don't theeenk so lol

 

Oblivion combat is leveled -

fine and dandy - walk into X cave and I never had to run for my very life (even at level 1) - not so in Morrowind. You better go level up "before". Once you've done a few ruins/caves - you pretty much KNOW the exact layout you're going to see in the next one. Morrowind architecture was quite a bit more varied.

 

Rewards for completing a quest are leveled -

fine, except if you do the quest at a low level - you get a low-level reward - worthless later (sometimes one you can NEVER dispose of out of your inventory either if it's marked "quest item" in CS - carry that worthess item forever) a "penalty"? for surviving and doing early? how nice!

 

Oblivion Gates

differing basically pretty much only in the number of towers - you just did 'that' already didn't you and 16 more just like it yesterday? Do I have to? The Great Gate and its "factors" was good tho..and I enjoyed trying to keep my selflessly loyal friends alive..virtual imposibility, but with enough smarts and determination, one CAN succeed here.

 

Quests/Characters

A few of the Obliv quests are notable..the painter, etc. - but overall - next? Finishing the MQ, I am now left with "OK now that I'm the head of X -Y-Z- (yawn) WHY should I continue to play?"

 

I have saved the world..uh huh BFD - make another character? I did that 4 times already..one being a rogue archer - NEVER again (although am old experienced ranged combat player - 35 arrows to bring down a Daedroth - at skill level 75+( with hi-end bow/arrows) doesn't quite cut it.

 

Morrowind (on the other hand) is a kind of a sepia-tone 'visit' to.. something not quite real - but yet, isn't it? Although I ran lots of mods..boiled all down to a single face replacement - since ALWAYS wore armor, never took clothes off - needed no body replacement and used a personal, (publically released) house mod. I also ran a private teleporting mod. which got me from point A to point B - did what supposed to - then I took off exploring on foot while I was there...as there IS quite positively something there you'd NEVER find if you don't go look..and not just boogie back and finish the quest - next?

 

I admit I tried many texture mods - although the work was mostly outstanding, ALWAYS deleted them - back to wonderful dreary Balmora? lol. Oh yes, Morrowind has some "graphics" problems - but then it did NOT have the technology available to Oblivion and one HAS to rely on the value of the underlying game itself to hold you.

 

WITHOUT the "icing". Oblivion doesn't have that underlying 'hold' on me unfortunately, that allows one to overlook "age" and just enjoy the game for itself, how it was written, what is there and what YOU can do with it.

 

After 4+ years playing MW I can STILL truthfully say I have NOT seen it all and I eventually wound up literally "running" coast-to-coast (including the expansions as well) I've been wall-to-wall in Obliv on foot and on horseback and we certainly do have lots of great empty areas of "graphics"... (of somewhat less than stellar construction? - I tend to notice such things)!

 

Morrowind "calls" me - go play it again..and yet again , make a new character - be evil - be good - be a werewolf, a vampire - be whatever your heart desires - as each character WILL play out differently with variations thereof depending on YOU personally. I simply don't feel that in Oblivion - in spite of its (conceded) "wonders".

 

The thousands of mods available for Morrowind (in many cases) simply took something good and made it better. Oblivion mods (currently) seem to be addressed mostly to 'fixing something broken" of which I have personally seen far too many instances of.

 

So is Oblivion bad - was I "cheated" (dollar wise)? of course not! but I HAD hoped for SOMETHING resembling MW - only better. Then I am saying Morrowind is perfect right? NO!! - not likely, lol - but certainly better in many important ways.

 

Just my 2-cent babbling - undoubtedly NOT shared by others - but thanks for reading one person's opinion.

 

Q

[jzbaker]

Not necessarily quoting, disputing or agreeing with any of the views here - however being a VERY long time Morrowind player (beta tester for original)..on into the expansions..then...all the wonderful mods. I am now at this point in my Elder Scrolls journey.

 

Oblivion blows the socks off Morrowind - graphically - period - I think that's a given. The music (by Jeremy Soule) is outstanding. The horses are so much fun to ride, new architecture is nice - but unfortunately, I think THAT's where it ends.

 

Oblivion is simply overall too easy (in spite of difficulty slider). I run an xlnt creature spawn-increase mod to give me a challenge. The interface is horrible (improved thankfully with mods) - and I generally ignore the built-in "helps"although if (when) I get bored with the sameness, I will just hop over to "that little green arrow thingy there" get it done and move on.

 

I do not feel the... "ha ha dear ole Uncle Crassius" - everyone hates Fargoth? involvement. Where are the wonderful Great Houses and the "battles" for supremecy. Where are the suspicious wizards up there in their "own little plant world"? Where are the Temples not free, you will donate to get help from? Divine intervention? Almsivie? Mark/recall? - so many deleted wonderful MW spells.

 

Where is the underlying intrigue of the snooty Imperials controling most everything in whatever small form. "You already have nearly everything and yet you want more?" I don't theeenk so lol

 

Oblivion combat is leveled -

fine and dandy - walk into X cave and I never had to run for my very life (even at level 1) - not so in Morrowind. You better go level up "before". Once you've done a few ruins/caves - you pretty much KNOW the exact layout you're going to see in the next one. Morrowind architecture was quite a bit more varied.

 

Rewards for completing a quest are leveled -

fine, except if you do the quest at a low level - you get a low-level reward - worthless later (sometimes one you can NEVER dispose of out of your inventory either if it's marked "quest item" in CS - carry that worthess item forever) a "penalty"? for surviving and doing early? how nice!

 

Oblivion Gates

differing basically pretty much only in the number of towers - you just did 'that' already didn't you and 16 more just like it yesterday? Do I have to? The Great Gate and its "factors" was good tho..and I enjoyed trying to keep my selflessly loyal friends alive..virtual imposibility, but with enough smarts and determination, one CAN succeed here.

 

Quests/Characters

A few of the Obliv quests are notable..the painter, etc. - but overall - next? Finishing the MQ, I am now left with "OK now that I'm the head of X -Y-Z- (yawn) WHY should I continue to play?"

 

I have saved the world..uh huh BFD - make another character? I did that 4 times already..one being a rogue archer - NEVER again (although am old experienced ranged combat player - 35 arrows to bring down a Daedroth - at skill level 75+( with hi-end bow/arrows) doesn't quite cut it.

 

Morrowind (on the other hand) is a kind of a sepia-tone 'visit' to.. something not quite real - but yet, isn't it? Although I ran lots of mods..boiled all down to a single face replacement - since ALWAYS wore armor, never took clothes off - needed no body replacement and used a personal, (publically released) house mod. I also ran a private teleporting mod. which got me from point A to point B - did what supposed to - then I took off exploring on foot while I was there...as there IS quite positively something there you'd NEVER find if you don't go look..and not just boogie back and finish the quest - next?

 

I admit I tried many texture mods - although the work was mostly outstanding, ALWAYS deleted them - back to wonderful dreary Balmora? lol. Oh yes, Morrowind has some "graphics" problems - but then it did NOT have the technology available to Oblivion and one HAS to rely on the value of the underlying game itself to hold you.

 

WITHOUT the "icing". Oblivion doesn't have that underlying 'hold' on me unfortunately, that allows one to overlook "age" and just enjoy the game for itself, how it was written, what is there and what YOU can do with it.

 

After 4+ years playing MW I can STILL truthfully say I have NOT seen it all and I eventually wound up literally "running" coast-to-coast (including the expansions as well) I've been wall-to-wall in Obliv on foot and on horseback and we certainly do have lots of great empty areas of "graphics"... (of somewhat less than stellar construction? - I tend to notice such things)!

 

Morrowind "calls" me - go play it again..and yet again , make a new character - be evil - be good - be a werewolf, a vampire - be whatever your heart desires - as each character WILL play out differently with variations thereof depending on YOU personally. I simply don't feel that in Oblivion - in spite of its (conceded) "wonders".

 

The thousands of mods available for Morrowind (in many cases) simply took something good and made it better. Oblivion mods (currently) seem to be addressed mostly to 'fixing something broken" of which I have personally seen far too many instances of.

 

So is Oblivion bad - was I "cheated" (dollar wise)? of course not! but I HAD hoped for SOMETHING resembling MW - only better. Then I am saying Morrowind is perfect right? NO!! - not likely, lol - but certainly better in many important ways.

 

Just my 2-cent babbling - undoubtedly NOT shared by others - but thanks for reading one person's opinion.

 

Q

very true and well put I think. Morrowind certainly did have that unique feel to it.