Fallout 3 Review

The Plot

Vault 101, Washington D.C. (United States), Year: 2277. . .

Set 20 years after the devastation that occurred back in the previous instalment, you take control and create your character (from birth) and begin life settled under the wing of the ‘Overseer’ in Vault 101. 200 years after the bombs dropped over America, this post apocalyptic universe is a desert wasteland, a wasteland that your father has disappeared into and you are hell bent on finding him.

The story unfolds with the player being presented with your character complete with Birthday Suit with the distinct choice from a rather confused doctor. He poses the question “Boy or Girl?”, and from here you establish your character by way of manipulating facial features and assigning a name to your in game counterpart. After flying through the years, including celebrating 2 important birthday’s, this section acts as a training ground before gently dropping you straight into the story.

All the above takes place in Vault 101 (or the ‘Jewel of the Wastes’). For 200 years, this underground haven has been protecting the surviving residents of the Capitol Wasteland through the Global Atom War of 2077. However, one day you are woken to the news that your father has up shipped and left the vault and that everybody is after you.

After your brave decision to leave the sanctuary of the vault, as well as finishing off the leader of the sector, you are graced with the disaster zone that has become Washington DC. You’re father is out there, you’ll have to fight through the infected and raiders to find him, from now on you’re on your own.

Gameplay

Unlike previous instalments, this game is a fully developed and interactive 3 dimensional universe. Playable at anytime through the eyes of the player, or via a third person perspective, this harsh wasteland is yours to discover at your leisure.

Taking all of the best bits from the critically acclaimed ‘Oblivion’ (also made by Bethesda), you are free to explore your surroundings at your leisure or plunge in feet first to the main quest at hand. From experience, if you play the game through just completing the mandatory ‘quests’ (quests are the games’ description of sub stories) you will find that you’re missing out on just how much this game has to offer.

Take your time, discover the secrets and the happenings of the AI characters lurking in the shadows of the deserted cities and districts which where once full of life, and you’ll find your interaction and interest in the game will grow and the often used phrase of “just ten more minutes” will begin to be spoken again.

Basic controls are typical of how modern First Person Shooters are laid out. Movement is controlled via the two analog sticks (same for third person) and the basic face buttons apply context sensitive interaction and jump movements. However, this is after, after all, lending itself from a popular Role Playing game however so far, I have referred to the game as an FPS (First Person Shooter) so, where’s the traditional AP/HP menu’s?

Well, strapped to your arm after your 10th Birthday is the PipBoy Model 3000. This handy device acts as your inventory, storing any: collected items, quest details, maps and points of interest among other things. This lends itself nicely to the game and helps keep with the theme of the game by being a bit temperamental on start up and generally old fashioned in both looks and functions. Coupled to this is the VATS (or Vault-Tec Assisted Targeting System).

When in the sights of an enemy (whether it be Mutant, Fire Ant or even human contracted killers), triggering the VATS menu, using the Right Bumper button, displays the new designed menu system allowing you to target specific body parts of your enemies and assign Attack Points based on the weapon choice and % value of accuracy. This system is best used to find enemies in the wasteland and when discovering as the environments are so massive, you can quite easily be ambushed by these attacking hordes whilst admiring the stunning detail that’s been put into the collapsed buildings and torn up road ways.

On the subject of enemies, the engine used to control the in game characters and specifically the enemies you will be fighting deserves a particular mention. Your A.I. challengers will do everything to surround you and in no time, you’ll be on the back foot and outnumbered. Best keep ‘Hidden’ then and gain the extra HP from killing them silently from the shadows to avoid unnecessary death.

With regards to health, you can use the Stimpacks or by using Radiation affected meats or drinks for sustenance; however, too much of this begins to affect the player as you begin to become overcome with radiation poisoning. Look out for ‘Rad-X’ to clear that and to treat any of the effects of the radiation. You can also use beds found throughout the environments to sleep off any effects of injuries, usually found in the Raider’s barricades.

The way in which you behave is also worth a mention. Like many RPG’s around, character integration and conversations with these characters lead to different storylines and different attitudes towards you and your gaming experience. An early sign of this, is when you receive an offer to ‘activate an undetonated’ atomic bomb, but instead of accepting the offer, you turn him in to the local sheriff leading ultimately to the sheriffs death and a bounty placed on your head. They will get you as well, so be prepared for a fight on your hands.

Any further mentions of scenarios such as these will only lead to spoilers, but along the way you’ll meet stranded children, escaped slaves/prisoners and even a brothel. This game is far too big to describe and to justify in a review, and I mean that...seriously.

Graphics

Bethesda have done a stunning job of creating a post war depiction of what disasters have been occurring whilst captive in Vault 101. The harsh wastelands and shimmering radiated waters surrounding these isles are a fitting reminder of the intensity of damage this city was left with after the mushroom clouds faded away.

Collapsed buildings, deserted train wrecked filled underground's and beached shipwrecks all have distinct atmosphere’s and are covered with mystery as your character begins to explore them, torch light at hand as these zombies aren’t known for their subtleties.

Characters are well rendered with decent animations, though not a particular highlight as they appear to have numb faces with regards to expressions. Enemies are intimidating and appropriately affected by being exposed to years of radiation. Muscles are bulged and faces intense as they unleash their menace with whatever weapons are left to forage over.

Weapons have satisfying animation, especially when using the VATS system as the camera tracks the bullet from initial trigger pulling up until the gory ending resulting in a very messy but satisfying death of your enemy.

Animations are good, movement is smooth although when moving your character and using the 3rd person view, your character’s movement doesn’t appear particularly natural, best leave it in first person view then.

Personal highlight, with regards to graphics and atmosphere, has to go to the Metro tunnel sections however. These are used to link isolated towns and are menacing with their blackness only being lit by a weak torch and temperamental underground lighting. Stray beings and rebel survivors nestle within the maze of tracks and stations and are typically found near the flickering lights of garbage can fires, pacing, defending their territory.

Sound

Tune in your radio by going through your PipBoy 3000, and you are instantly grounded in this captivating land. Music from bygone eras flood the airwaves and provide a unique background to play along with. Characters all have decent voice over’s, including famous man Liam Neeson, and enemies have suitable menacing drones and shrieks.

Guns have a satisfying ‘bang’ and also include ultra cool slow-motion bullet times where cases can be heard dropping to the floor below. When engaging enemies, suitable scores provide a fitting back ground to play against, rising with the intensity of the action culminating into a final shot climax before dying down, leaving you to the deafening silence provided by the uninhabited wasteland, your footsteps the only sound around after the weapons are holstered. Very engaging and atmospheric stuff.

Final Thoughts

I’d like to point out that this review has been created by somebody who doesn’t play or necessarily enjoys any form of Role Playing game. That makes this review ever more significant if the mix of First Person action and Role Playing story engagement has brought an entirely new audience to the genre, this can surely only be a good sign.

Without a doubt, worthy of a purchase. One of the greatest games I’ve played on the Xbox 360 and also one of the largest. People have already reported playing this 80+ hours and they still haven’t completed the bulk of quests and surprises this games has to offer.

Presentation: 9/10

Graphics: 8/10

Sound: 8/10

Gameplay: 10/10

Lasting Appeal: 10/10

FINAL SCORE: 9/10

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