Is it worth it?

[>EnterUsernameHere<]

I have been thinking about getting the older Elder Scroll games especially Morrowind but are they worth it?

[dzio]

Is that a rethorical question?

Of course they are! They are awesome and each can keep you entertained for months. If you're put off by the graphics or want to make the interface more comfortable, get some mods. If your computer is good enough, you can make Morrowind look as good or better than Skyrim.

[Believe]

I can't speak for Arena or Daggerfall, but definitely try Morrowind!!

It's by far the most immersive of the latest 3, and if you can spruce up the graphics a little bit, it looks friggin amazing.

Try it!

[dzio]

Well, with Arena and Daggerfall no amount of mods will make the interface comfortable. And the bugs can completely screw your game. Both are awesome and IMHO worth experiencing at least once, but they are also really old, so unless you're into retro games, they can seem like a chore.

[Chaos the N'wah]

It's my extremely biased opinion that you aren't a true TES fan if you haven't at least played Morrowind

[CBR JGWRR]

They're all good in their own way.


And the graphics aren't that bad...

[dzio]

Of course they aren't, even Daggerfall holds up pretty well. But a lot of younger gamers started playing games when they looked like Oblivion or better, so the ability to add a graphics mod is important.

[Edit]: Just watched a video showcasing the last part of Tamriel Rebuilt mod (here) and there's one comment there that I feel should be quoted to anyone who's hesitating about trying out older TES games:

Morrowind is the Empire Strikes Back of the Elder Scrolls Series.

Nothing to add.

[Linkuya]

While Morrowind is definitely the least immersive and most flawed of the new three, it's still very much so worth playing. Same goes for the original two.
Edit: Figured I'd explain why I think that before morrowhiners start attacking me.

Hidden:

Well, let's start with the NPCs. The characterization in Morrowind is terribly done, and NPCs simply feel like vending machines of information. One guy in Vivec literally says all of the same exact things as a guy in Khuul. Copy that by 50x. Ruins any kind of 'immersion' Morrowind tried to create. Couple that with a plethora of game design flaws, and Morrowind definitely takes the cake for least immersive.

[Yaije]

>.> I will point out that random NPC's still say basically the same things across the continents in either game. I would say morrowind kills immersion because NPC's basically stand around the same spot forever, and stores never close... oh and combat.

Spoiler:

besides I'm fairly certain morrowind had like 3 times as many NPC's in it as oblivion and both have about the same amount of interesting quest related npc's. But that's just a guess/hunch I can't confirm at the moment.

Though the way some of the factions interacted did have a certain feel I've not really seen in tes4 or tes5. The reaction npcs have towards you for being in the mage's guild or house telvanni for example.

[Linkuya]

Lowering an NPC's little number didn't really feel realistic to me.
One of the few things Morrowind did right however, was only letting you join one of the three great houses, it made it feel more exclusive and special.

[OblivionDuruza]

Arena and Daggerfall being free, they're definitely worth downloading and installing unless internet usage is a concern for you.

Morrowind, being purchasable during certain sales, such as via Steam, for as little as $5 for the GOTY Edition, is most probably worth it unless you don't enjoy RPGs.

Oblivion, similarly, can be purchased from $8 -$10 for the GOTY Edition Deluxe, during certain sales, like the one on today via Steam, and so again, is probably worth it if you're a gamer.

Skyrim, is still on the somewhat pricey side if money is a concern, although it is considerably cheaper now than when it was released. You might be able to pick it up fairly cheaply during a sale and if you enjoy RPGs and other TES titles, chances are you'll get your money's worth of it.

The latter three are all significantly enhanced by mods, which is also something worth considering. All have a fair amount of replay value, particularly Morrowind if you aren't off-put by the somewhat dated engine (which mods can help to ameliorate).

[Yaije]

Oh and isn't a version of skyrim with all the DLC about to come out on the 4th?

Also lowering an NPC's little number?

edit: not sure if you mean total npc count or their disposition.

if the latter, it just was something that made certain people more or less likely to attack you, give up information, or progress a story if required.

Easily broken if you got excessive levels of personality though.

[Linkuya]

Yes, I meant deposition, and yes, it's coming out on the 4th.

[Kerr]

Morrowind is the best game in the series and Arena and Daggerfall are free so there is nothing to lose with those two. So yes, they are worth it.

[Pilaf The Defiler]

OP asked a highly subjective question.

If you expect them to be exactly like Skyrim or if you have a lot tolerance for older graphics, you'll be very disappointed. You should check out some LPs of them on Youtube to give you a good feel for how they differ. If they appeal to you, check them out. You may find Oblivion more accessible than older games. Morrowind is my favorite but it's aged a lot since it came out, and is far less user friendly than Skyrim.