While Morrowind is hailed as one of Bethesda's best the DLC is something that I've heard relatively little about in comparison. This was always a bit odd to me considering the reverence ones like The Shivering Isles from Oblivion and Point Lookout from Fallout 3 get. Having finally played through Bloodmoon this really isn't as shocking anymore because this might be one of the most excruciating experiences I've played through in a long time.
Before that though I'd like to discuss everything this expansion does well. Solstheim as a hub is pretty rock solid, providing an interesting changeup compared to Vvardenfellwith its own set of wildlife and strange goings ons to deal with (fuck Spriggans). The big optional quest line involving the trade company is also a really fun one, with Carnius Magius being a pretty fun antagonist that manages to make himself one of the most morally reprehensible characters in all of Morrowind (fuck Bureaucrats). Lastly is how much of the DLC feels like a prototype of Oblivion, with the bigger emphasis on voice acting and setpieces reminding me a lot of similar moments to it (FUCK KRISH YOU STUPID FUCKING BLUE GREMLIN).
With all that out of the way I'd like to take a moment to compare base game Morrowinds combat loop with Bloodmoons. While calling Morrowind a pacifists dream is complete horseshit you can get through a good chunk of the game without killing, and that design is complemented well with mobs being spread out pretty fairly. Bloodmoon says FUCK THAT and decides to make simply getting around Solstheim an excuritaing experience by spamming areas with dozens of mobs that love to constantly respawn or break whatever quest you're on because fuck you. After completing the Raven Rock questline I just ended up running from most encounters because I couldn't be bothered to give a shit, with the final encounter being cheesed with invisiblity because they blocked levitation (which I find really funny in retrospect). Besides that another odd quirk is related to the Raven Rock questline, with a mandatory and borderline arbitrary wait requirement to continue things (which gives enemies more time to respawn FUCKING THANKS TODD). This just feels like massive padding for an already short expansion and just makes the experience that much worse.
Here's hoping Tribunal can pick up the slack because Bloodmoon is a painful experience that I can only recommend to those looking for an excuse to play more Morrowind. A disappointing expansion to Bethesda's magnum opus.
4/10
Before that though I'd like to discuss everything this expansion does well. Solstheim as a hub is pretty rock solid, providing an interesting changeup compared to Vvardenfellwith its own set of wildlife and strange goings ons to deal with (fuck Spriggans). The big optional quest line involving the trade company is also a really fun one, with Carnius Magius being a pretty fun antagonist that manages to make himself one of the most morally reprehensible characters in all of Morrowind (fuck Bureaucrats). Lastly is how much of the DLC feels like a prototype of Oblivion, with the bigger emphasis on voice acting and setpieces reminding me a lot of similar moments to it (FUCK KRISH YOU STUPID FUCKING BLUE GREMLIN).
With all that out of the way I'd like to take a moment to compare base game Morrowinds combat loop with Bloodmoons. While calling Morrowind a pacifists dream is complete horseshit you can get through a good chunk of the game without killing, and that design is complemented well with mobs being spread out pretty fairly. Bloodmoon says FUCK THAT and decides to make simply getting around Solstheim an excuritaing experience by spamming areas with dozens of mobs that love to constantly respawn or break whatever quest you're on because fuck you. After completing the Raven Rock questline I just ended up running from most encounters because I couldn't be bothered to give a shit, with the final encounter being cheesed with invisiblity because they blocked levitation (which I find really funny in retrospect). Besides that another odd quirk is related to the Raven Rock questline, with a mandatory and borderline arbitrary wait requirement to continue things (which gives enemies more time to respawn FUCKING THANKS TODD). This just feels like massive padding for an already short expansion and just makes the experience that much worse.
Here's hoping Tribunal can pick up the slack because Bloodmoon is a painful experience that I can only recommend to those looking for an excuse to play more Morrowind. A disappointing expansion to Bethesda's magnum opus.
4/10