Sum of it's parts

http://www.viaarena.com/default.aspx?PageID=5&ArticleID=464

So, they think the graphics are prety, but I have a problem with any reviewer that says:

"Morrowind was Bethesda Softwork's first game in the Elder scroll series, followed by the expansion packs Tribunal and Bloodmoon."

No... Arena was. Followed by Daggerfall. And then there was a middle game between Daggerfall and Morrwind. I'm 2 sentances in, and already I have to throw out this review for any sort of informed opinion.

I think part of my problem with Morrowind was the same problem I had with Alpha Centauri. All the parts were good, the graphics were great (for the time), and the interaction was beyond what should have been expected.... but....

The game itself fell flat. A few moments in and you'd get this feeling that you'd seen it all before. The new frontier doesn't have a 'story' behind it that ends up truely feeling compelling, and with no history to fill in using our own experiences or imagination, the little things we move around our screens don't compel us with any feelings.

Sometimes falling back on almost cliche creatures puts something into a game no code could. It's ok to bring in one or two new things, or drop something tried and true, but massive deviations give you an initial WOW, but quickly fade as you detach from a world that simply doesn't have any feelings.

Which brings me back to the Elder Scroll series. I'm going to feel like a total hypocrite as I won't be buying Oblivion any time soon. When it hits the discount bin, maybe. But if swords and armor are the only touchstones to my clasic orc/goblin/dragon motif I've called fantasy these many years, then it would simply be a waste of money.

The parts are good, and I love moving the game pieces, but the pieces need to move me.