Fallout 3

"Bethesda doesn't dissapoint."

Being the avid Fallout series fan I am, I was expecting a massive pile of steaming failure when I found out that Fallout 3 wasn't to be in the 2D overhead view of the other games. How wrong I was.

The game was produced by BethSoft, known for their work on the The Elder Scrolls series. Fallout 3 runs the same engine, with improved graphics and a few other improvements. Like in most reviews, I will be rating this game in a couple of different categories. Here we go.....


-Graphics 9/10

The graphics are rather solid (but honestly what isn't these days?). The graphics are roughly the same as Oblivion's but slightly improved on textures and lighting. If you can ramp this game up to full settings, it is a very pretty game indeed. They go for the "post apocalyptic Washington, D.C." feel and capture wonderfully. There are a couple blocky textures here and there if you are really into nit-picking like that. But they do pay attention to the small details, which I personally love. Labels on foods, signs and little things like that look very nice and just make me squeal with nerdy joy.

-Combat 9/10

This is where I feel the game truly excels. While the game can be executed in regular first person shooter style, it really feels as though it isn't made to be played that way. And it isn't. This is not Halo, Call of Duty or Gears of War. It is Fallout, an RPG. RPGs for the most part have some strategy involved. They bring in the strategy through a systems called V.A.T.S., or Vault-Tec Assisted Targeting System. This allows you to pause the action and pick and choose where you want to shoot your weapons. This is where it brings the strategy back. You only have a certain amount of Action Points which limits you to where you have to shoot. Perks and skills effect your accuracy and damage with certain weapons in this system. The regular first person is a tiny bit clunky, but you should avoid it anyway. There are enough weapons to keep a form of variety in this game, as well as custom weapons you can make.

-Audio 10/10

I have absolutely no problem with the audio in this game. The music is very fitting to the whole nuclear fallout mood. It has the kind of dreary tones and such you would expect. The gun sounds are all very good and I have had no complaints with them either. The lasers sound like lasers, the explosions sound like explosions and each different time of guns sounds like the corresponding type of gun. All is well in the sound department.

-Interface 9/10

The interface is mostly done through a thing called a "Pip-boy 3000". It is a little device worn on your wrist and it is brought up through the Tab key. Through this Pip-boy, you can equip weapons and armor, look at your map, check out your skills, heal yourself, and look at various other statistics. There are 3 basic tabs, Status, Items and Data. Status has your health, level, and statistics. Items has your weapons, armor, healing items and ammo. Data has your maps, notes and quest information. Overall this is pretty well put together and easy to use. Outside of your Pip-boy and on your normal screen, you have the basic Health, Action Points, compass and ammo counters. It's out of the way, but you still have the option to turn it off.

-Story 8/10

This is the make-or-break point for most RPGS considering that RPGS are known for their epic story lines and crazy plots. I did like the story of Fallout 3. It got you immersed and you actually and really wasn't all too confusing. What I look for in a story is that it is easy to follow, in-depth enough to make you actually care about it, but not so thick with cut scenes and boring dialog that make you want to smack the writer in the head. To sum it up, you start out as a baby in a Vault, which protects you from the Nuclear Wastelands, which most of the game takes place in. You progress through your childhood, all while customizing your character in a rather well thought out process. Then when you turn 19, your father escapes from the vault, and the Overseer, who is the leader of the Vault, is ordering to kill you. You escape and then the real game starts from there. The ending was a little weak, but overall I enjoyed the story.



This game is available on PS3, Xbox 360 and PC. You can download it through Steam, Direct 2 Drive, and Digital Download. There are Collectors Editions which come with a Bobble-head and lunch box. The game is very well put together and I enjoyed my experience in playing it and I will play it again. Most likely multiple times.

If you aren't a fan of Fallout 1 or 2, you can still play this game, as it is very different. If you are looking for a fast-paced shooter, this isn't the game for you. I can still recommend renting it as you might just enjoy it anyway. For anybody else, it is a must buy and I highly recommend purchasing it.

Reviewer's Score: 9/10, Originally Posted: 11/03/08

Game Release: Fallout 3 (US, 10/28/08)