The Elder Scrolls 3: Tribunal
The Elder Scrolls 3: Tribunal is the first expansion pack to the PC RPG The Elder Scrolls 3. The expansion adds the temple city of Mournhold which can be accessed through a portal. Many of the game mechanics and features in the original are also upgraded by this expansion, making it a worthwhile addition.
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Developer: Bethesda Softworks Publisher: Bethesda Softworks Release Date: November 06, 2002 Platform: PC JustRPG Score: 83% Pros: +A large, new area to explore. +Adds mercenaries and pack animals. +Slight tweaks to enhance the original Morrowind 3 experience. Cons: -Will only appeal to fans of the original Elder Scrolls 3. -Initial price tag was a bit steep for an expansion. |
The Elder Scrolls 3: Tribunal Overview
Tribunal is the first of two expansions for the sandbox style RPG The Elder Scrolls III: Morrowind. It was originally released only for the PC, but the contents of the game are included in the ‘Game of the Year’ edition of Morrowind for both the PC and Xbox platforms. Tribunal adds the city of Mournhold which is the capital of Morrowind and is located within the larger city of Almalexia. As an expansion, Tribunal gives fans of the original more content to explore. Tribunal was followed by ‘Bloodmoon’ but the best way to enjoy Morrowind now is through the Game of the Year edition.
The Elder Scrolls 3: Tribunal Screenshots
The Elder Scrolls 3: Tribunal Featured Video
[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=usTe_PDD7xU[/youtube]
The Elder Scrolls 3: Tribunal Review
By, Patrick Mansfield
As absurd as expanding a game as huge as Morrowind might sound, Bethesda Softworks has done it, and it’s up to you again to remedy the burdens of an already needy world. So strap on your shield and grab your greaves, its time to venture into the world of Morrowind again.
Tribunal starts as soon as you fall asleep (of course, after installing) and are attacked by an assassin from the Dark Brotherhood. Since it was my first time playing Morrowind on the PC, it was a very frightening experience, hardly being able to fight. I eventually killed the assassin (note: good loot for beginners!) and began the quest to find out who sent the vile fiends after me. To continue Tribunal further, I had to venture to Ebonheart, where I was transported into Mournhold. This is as far as I go because I do not want to ruin the wonderful storyline that Tribunal sets in the player’s lap. One piece of advice, however, if you’re new to Morrowind, you may want to level up before plunging into Tribunal, since it has a lot of tough battles.
As expansions go, Tribunal is like most. Tribunal runs off the old Morrowind CD, but gives the player new weapons, armor, quests, and monsters. The new models look great, especially the new monsters like the Fabricants. The new custom armors are also worth looking into, but will require some serious exploring and hauling (especially the Adamantium which weighs 50lbs each!). What intrigued me most about Tribunal was the network of underground tunnels beneath the city of Mournhold; they were a blast to explore and to hack through the endless waves of goblins that inhabit them.
To save you some woes, however, two new types of helping NPCs have been added. The first is the Mercenary, which you can hire to help you kill whatever troubles you on your quest. Keeping your mercenary happy will require being very profitable in your journeys. One other thing about the Mercenaries, you have to watch your stash of potions and other items, since he/she may help him/herself to them when they need them. The second type of new NPC are pack animals, which help take a load off when you’re looting and pillaging, whether it be dungeons or homes. You only have to pay a onetime fee and the animal is yours until it is killed. The unholy downside to both, however, is that they are complete morons when it comes to following you, and they tend to get stuck in a lot of areas, since Tribunal’s landscape is not very flat and smooth.
In addition to new quests and monsters, Tribunal also tweaks the workings of Morrowind. The journal system has been updated and it’s much easier to find which quests you’re currently working on. Also, a note system has been added to the map so you can leave notes to yourself. Finally, to help selling items a new button on the bartering screen lets you Sell your items at the Seller’s maximum amount of gold, and is appropriately named “Seller Max”.
The additions, both small and large, do provide enough entertainment that Tribunal’s price tag is reasonable, but if it was any higher I would suggest waiting until the price drops. Since Tribunal is only an expansion, it is hard give it an appropriate grade, but I do believe that those who enjoyed Morrowind, and thirst for more questing, will love the new things that Tribunal offers.
Final Grade: 83%
The Elder Scrolls 3: Tribunal Screenshots
The Elder Scrolls 3: Tribunal Videos
Gothic 2 Gameplay Footage
[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=usTe_PDD7xU[/youtube]