question about the game series

[Mom&Son]

Hi there!
It's almost my son's birthday, and I'd like to get him a good RGP. I've read up on it and the ones that keep coming up are Morrowind and Neverwinter Nights. (The others that keep appearing are Age of Mythology - do you need the Titans expantion pack? - and Pirates of the Caribbean)
I wonder if any of you have suggestions as to which one I get him AND I see that Morrowind had to earlier games - Arena and Daggerfall. I'm not clear if one must or should play these 2 prior to Morrowind, or if Morrowind is a stand-alone game.
I would sure appreciate any feedback (as I'm sure my son will too, when he gets a neat game or two!). BTW, he plays Baldur's Gate, and IceWind Dale 2 if that helps you know what he likes. Thanks so much!

[Sir chris]

Ok morrowind is a stand alone game and I've never played the other games though

[Straydog]

Morrowind, hands down. Don´t waste money on Pirates of the Caribbean, since it has nothing to do with the movie, and only good thing in it is sailing, which gets boring after a while.

[Legend]

The games you've mentioned are nothing like Baldurs Gate and Icewind Dale, but all of them are pretty good. I know, i have all of them.

Morrowind is one of the best games ever made imho, and yes, it's a stand alone. You could always add Tribunal and/or Bloodmoon later if so required.

Age of mythology is also a great game, but is completely different than what he's used to so far. It's real time strategy (RTS), and the Titan's add on is not necessary, but is a nice feature for when he finished the game and hasn't had enough yet.

Pirates of the Caribbean is also a pretty good game, and no, it's not like the movie, but should it really matter ?
I can't give you any details about the game, except for the graphics.... they're very good. I recently started playing it myself, so i'm in an early stage of the game and am still exploring it a bit myself. But it looks promising.

So you have a tough choice to make. They're all good games, but if i had to make a choice, i'd go with Morrowind. It lasts much longer than all other mentioned games together.

Edit: i just saw that you also mentioned Neverwinternights. Well, that's what comes close to BG and IWD. If it HAS to be that type of game, go with NWN.

[MidoriChan]

Ahaha, you're gonna be getting quite a biased report posting in this forum... But anyway, Morrowind is hands down a game that gets to go in the very, very, very good game category. And I've heard many reports Neverwinter Nights is in that category too... so either one. But I would recommend Morrowind. Definitely!!!

[Loredweller]

In fact in your situation i'd choose between NWN and Morrowind (if you cannot lift both ). I'd prefer Morrowind, however. Sure, he's going t learn completely another game system and adjust the way he's thinking, there are quite different rulesystems in NWN and MW. Altogether NWN lacks that huge unlinear world MW has.
I still am great fan of Baldur's Gate series, altogether Neverwinter, although long waited, left me with disappointment. For first thing because linearity of single player mission and poor potential for just wandering, adventuring, exploring and character development. Morrowind has plenty of freedom, and NWN world (standard single player mission) seems just puny if compared to Morrowind's. As a result, i got those games approximately at one time, and i left NMN laying after a month or so and never cared to return, however i'm still and without a break enjoying Morrowind, now with Bloodmoon add (due to some reasons i could got only a brief insight in Tribunal). IIRC, it's going on from May, 2002 The only advantages of NWN are multiplayer/dungeon mastering (if it does matter, i.e. if he enjoys it and has time for such things) and a bit prettier (and far less detailed) look. Well, NWN also requires less computer resources, MW treats them, video especially, hard enough.

[Xyx]

The big thing about NWN is that you can play online with other people. If you do, it can be pretty good if you play it in the right place and with the right people. The disadvantage is that if you don't, it's a very poor game. Morrowind is exactly the opposite: a very impressive game that cannot be played online at all.

[Jan Mistique]

Morrowind Versus Everything Else!

Morrowind is, in my opinion, a unique game. When I think of role playing, I don't think of becoming some predetermined muscly male character with a beard. Given that I am female (and don't have a beard!), I hope that you can understand my feelings on the matter! Nor do I want to encounter 'doors' that I 'haven't got the key to yet' and won't have until I have completed 'X', 'Y' and 'Z'.

For me, a true RPG is one where I can be me. I love to wander freely round the dungeons or race across the tundra just for the joy of it! It's exhilerating to see my trusty Umbra sword glimmering at the sight of enemies laden with treasure. I love to plan my journey through the towns, villages and caves. Shall I do the next part of the main quest or perhaps explore the wilderness for that heavily armoured, sword waving madman on a hill to the East and hope to get some unique armour and maybe, a trusty Umbra sword?

I do play games like Baldurs Gate and Icewind Dale and have enjoyed them a lot. The downside for me is how much more restricted they are in terms of what you do and when you do it. Of course, this can be a huge advantage for less experienced players or players with less inclination for a mind boggling sortie into the unknown! In that way, the choice has got to be a personal one. NWN is more like BG & ID than Morrowind. Very sound but never so exciting. I just long for more games like Morrowind and can't wait for the next Morrowind Game or even expansion.

Truely it has been said that if you want a rational balanced debate, you have probably come to the wrong place!!!