Fallout 2

"Whether you are an RPG fanatic or not, this game is an excellent addition to any collection."

Fallout 2

Fallout 2 is an RPG for PC. It is made by Black Isle and published by Interplay. It was released in 1998. The original Fallout was awesome, and both games are very cheap now. The sequel takes place 80 years after a nuclear war. You are a member of a tribe called Arroyo. Your fellow tribesmen and women descended from the original vault dweller. Your village is dying and you must find the G.E.C.K. (Garden of Eden Creation Kit) to ensure that Arroyo doesn't become a radiated wasteland, which is pretty much what the rest of California looks like.

The Story 7/10
The story goes a little like this:

The original vault dweller and conquered a mutant army in Fallout 1. While doing all this, you are supposed to find a water chip. After you accomplish everything, a grumpy Overseer decides that you can't be allowed back into the vault; for fear that others may decide to leave and explore the outside world. Frustrated, you (the original vault dweller) go out and create your own little tribe called Arroyo.

Here's where Fallout 2 comes in. It's 80 years later, and Arroyo is about to die off. You (a descendant of the original vault dweller now) must set out to find a G.E.C.K to save your people. Yeah, that's right. They chose you. Lazy punks…

Gameplay 10/10
This is really the only part of a game that matters to me. Fallout 2's gameplay exceeds that of all other PC RPG's in my opinion.

Firstly, you can create your character. Determine your character's age, sex, name, etc. You will also be able to alter your stats to fit your satisfaction. I, personally, like to dedicate my stats towards energy weapons. If that's not your style, become skilled in the arts of small guns, big guns, or hand to hand combat. Other skills include Bartering, Repair, Doctor, Steal, etc. This game allows you to be VERY free about your character. You will also have a series of basic skills that will affect how you play the game. Intelligence will determine which dialogue options you can get. Strength will determine hit points and maybe armor class. Charisma will influence how many party members you can have at a time. The create-a-character process is very in-depth.

As you accomplish side missions and win battles in the game, you collect experience. This experience will allow you to modify and improve your stats. After you gain a certain amount of experience, you will be able to select perks for your character. These can help you see better at night, expand your inventory, etc.

One thing that makes Fallout (2) stand out is its battle system. Everyone has a set amount of action points (which are determined by your Agility as well as many other things). When it is your turn, you can use those points to access your inventory, move, or fight. During battles, you will have party members to aid you if you choose. Each one has special needs, but they pretty much do what you tell them to. You can choose when they heal, when it's okay for them to run away, what armor they wear, what weapons they use, etc. There is one downside though. Sometimes you may get caught in a battle you don't want to be in, and it takes a very long time to run away.

Audio (Music and Sound) 8/10
At first, I didn't even realize there was music in the game. I had to adjust the volume from the main screen, but I think you can do it in-game. The music is decent, but gets repetitive. The sound effects are very good. You hear everything from dogs barking in the background to the voices of some of your party members. The sounds really make you feel a part of the game, especially in battle….

Difficulty 7/10
You can change the difficulty level on the main screen. I think it goes like the regular scale: easy, medium, hard. The difficulty also depends on how you play the game (where you go, etc). The 7/10 is just how I found the game on hard.

Graphics 8/10
The graphics aren't great, but they fit the game perfectly. It's not 3D. In fact, it looks quite a bit like the original. Like I said, it doesn't really matter though. You actually feel like you are a part of the game. Trust me, they won't bother you. Of course, the game does have an M rating for a reason. You are given the option to partake in sexual matters during the game, but all that happens is the screen going black for a moment. The battles are gruesome though. For instance, if you shoot someone with a plasma rifle, they will be electrocuted and turned into a pile of blood and goo. It's actually kind of funny the first few times. But to all the parents out there, the game has an option to take out all the blood and gore (which is kind of handy).

Overall 9/10
I hardly give tens. This game came pretty close though. The replayability of this game is incredible. I could play it 5 times in a row, and take an entirely different journey each time. Buy this game! It's only about $5 on ebay, and totally worth it. I'd buy it even if it costed $40, but I was kind of late jumping on the Fallout 2 bandwagon. ;-)

If you any parents out there are concerned about their children, it's okay. The game comes complete with optional language filters and the ability to exclude all gore from the game. ;-)

Reviewer's Score: 9/10, Originally Posted: 04/20/04