Fallout 3 Review

Game play: It literally doesn’t get any better than this. V.A.T.S. is a unique game play mechanic that makes combat more strategic and diverse. This allows the user to select various enemy body parts very similar to a turn based system. The shooting mechanics are fun and satisfying considering this is an RPG. The enemy AI is neither spectacular or horrible, but does more than get the job done.

The perk system is a fantastic way to level your character. Though few of them may be useless, for the most part perks is an essential and calculated design for the growth of your character. The Pipboy menu is very cool and allows nicely organized micromanagement. Raiding is somewhat repetitive yet extremely satisfying.

Having an AI companion is fun and deteriorates the feeling of loneliness. They are also GREAT for carrying your big guns that you can't/don't wish to carry. Co-op is the only thing I could really think that would improve the game enough to excel is beyond remarkable. Thankfully the amount of content and depth excuses this.

Graphics: Fallout 3 looks surprisingly beautiful considering the expansive open world. Character models are well detailed while the gore is probably the most gruesome in any game to date (and funny). While impressive, the Capital wasteland has some repetitive level design that is very prevalent in the underground tunnels systems. Minor animation quirks, bugs, and frame rate issues prevent this from being the best it can.

Sound: What you would expect from a Bethesda game – high quality VO. Previously hired voice talent returns and a new Hollywood actor joins the cast (I won’t spoil it). The sound effects are varied and fitting for each item/weapon. There are slight ambience transition issues. The soundtrack is epic and chilling depending on location of battle. The old school jazz tracks aired via Pipboy radio fit the drab wasteland much better than you would expect. Three Dog is annoying at times, but his implementation is quite unique as one of the last radio DJ’s.

Longevity: Long. And I don’t mean that in a bad way. The main campaign is pretty short, but you’d get sidetrack almost easier than ever with well implemented side quests. The Level 20 cap is reached rather early, but it really inspires you to create another character in order to acquire new perks, weapon schematics, and of course - be evil. The world is huge. It may be smaller in total miles than Oblivion’s Cyrodil, but many locales and underground transit systems are crammed within the total area. It may feel overwhelming at first, but exploration is well rewarded.

Fanboyism: While there are very minor setbacks, the entire package is remarkable. The things I don’t like are heavily outweighed by the sheer amount of content and depth. I feel Bethesda has gone to great lengths to make Fallout 3 a fun, profound, and rewarding experience. It really feels like the super RPG that Bethesda is known for. While I’ve never played an original Fallout game (and I sympathize for fans of previous installments) I highly recommend F3 to any RPG fan.