Fallout

"A true classic."

Now this is what all RPG's should be about.Completely open ended,but with an engaging story and rememberable characters.If Square has had so much work with RPG's,then how come they can't pull off a game like this?Perhaps they've just been brainwashed by thier own sucess with Chrono Trigger,and the early FF games.They don't need to make great games,because no matter what,a huge amount of people are always dumb enough to fall for it.No offense.In any case,when I bought Fallout I was just looking for something that would play on my cheap computer.I got much more than that.

RPG SCORING SYSTEM

Gameplay (7/10)

Near perfect.The game interface is wonderful to work with.Controling your character is a breeze.It's all done with a small menu bar at the bottom of the screen,making keyboard shortcuts almost non-existant.There is a wonderfully designed character creation system,where you can get yourself any type of person imagenable.When you level up you also have the chance to get a ''Perk'' which helps make your character even more unique.Combat is easy,and can happen anywhere.Even in towns.Anger someone and he's going to teach you a lesson.With a gun.That's also the thing about the game.It's TOO easy.And short.Thankfully, Fallout 2 patched that problem up.This is the place to start,though.Fallout is good as kind of a ''tutorial'' for the increased difficulty and length of Fallout 2.

Plot/Characters (10/10)

Wonderful story.It's the near (nearer than you think) future,and atomic war has ravaged and decimated the land and everything in it.Most people eek out a living on the wastelands,living in the burned out husks of old buildings,while people like you still live in the underground shelters,called Vaults,that you were born in.All is not right in the Vault,though,as the water purification chip crucial to your survival,has broke.Everyone drew straws.You drew the short one.Now it's your job to go out and find a replacement,and save your friends and family.It gets much,much deeper and more expansive than that but I wont give it away.Let's just say that finding the water chip is only the begining,and you'll ahve to rely on the people you meet along the way.The characters in this game are amazing.Very rememberable.Each character has his or her own personality and that changes with your reputation and how they interact with you.Be mean to them and they'll get rough right back at you.

Graphics/Sound/Music (9/10)

Not much to talk about here.Fallout's graphics are very nice,but look a little dated today.I can just about guarantee it'll run smooth on just about any system though,and on a side note most copies of Fallout 2 come with Fallout 1 inside.The sounds and voice acting are especially clear and nicely done.Gunshots and explosions can be a bit fuzzy at times,but they're done well enough.The music is just as well done,matching the atmosphere of the desolate wasteland well enough.

Quote: ''How did you survive?'' ''Didnt! Got killed! Hah!''

Fun Factor: 10

Challange: Low

Leaning Curve: 15min

Noteable Feature: Comes with some copies of Fallout 2

Reviewer's Score: 8/10, Originally Posted: 10/30/01, Updated 10/30/01