In my opinion: the traditional MM world ends with the 7th part; 8, 9, and Dark Messiah are completely different worlds.
I finished 9, but without enthusiasm; the graphics and gameplay have irreparably degraded...

Well, I still wouldn't group 8 with 9 and beyond; at least the events there take place in Xeen, and they aren't particularly nonsensical, unlike 9. To be honest, I tried to finish Nine, but I gave up when I couldn't become a paladin. Folks! Please tell me how to get this profession. I watched walkthroughs, did everything, but you have to find a thief named Oord; that scoundrel was either running around the city or vanished immediately after I got the quest:confused: