Fallout: Brotherhood of Steel

""The bomb" is an overstatement."

Introduction: For years now i have thoroughly enjoyed every Fallout title that Interplay has endorsed. This fallout is the first exception I have ever thought poorly of. The original Fallouts were released for the PC, completely open-ended, they were never graphically mind blowing they were usually 3d isometric view using only a few sprites with even fewer animations. It's my belief that this attempt at using the ''Baldurs Gate'' engine was to attract those who value pretty things more then a real down-to-earth story line. As a huge fan of the Fallout series I plan to gear this review towards those who have had experience with it as well.

Storyline: As it's predecessors, the world as we know it has come to an end as nuclear blasts rock the planet into near oblivion. The world's population devastated, various breeds of mutants walk the earth, raiders are sulking about everywhere. It's a harsh unforgiving world. Fallout:BOS starts off innocently enough, as a member of the Brotherhood of Steel you wander into town finding that trouble is brewing everywhere with all the colorful townspeople have something for you to do. The story line eventually degrades to chasing enemies through various cities which in my mind isn't what Fallout ever represented.

Gameplay: The first and foremost thing that veterans of the series will notice is that it's not an open-ended game, Fallout:BOS very linear in it's progression that follows in the footsteps of Fallout Tactics with the real-time play rather then turn based strategy. One of Fallout's greatest attributes is the famous character creation which has been bunked for a set of pre generated characters. The 3 pre generated characters have a certain skill set that determines which weapons will be the most effective in your sweaty little palms. The one redeeming value of this game is the fun overpowered weaponry you get to play with, flame-throwers, mini-guns, lasers in real-time. Also the armor has been expanded from one piece to 4 separate pieces, this adds a bit of diversity to the equipment selections. Humorless and dry this installment of Fallout hasn't the overall playability i expected.

Flash Value: Like many Xbox games, every explosion every building and animation were very well done. All the weapons sounded like they looked, big and loud. The Camera was the real down point to the graphics, the angle of the camera was so steep, 60-80 degrees, that I often couldn't see what I was fighting with ranged weapons. Many of the sounds were very well done, gunshots and hammer smashes across the cranium sounded spot on.

Overall: A highly strange and disappointing adaptation of Fallout geared towards those who enjoy hack and slash more then a grandiose story line. All the great elements that made Fallout what it is, or was have been augmented for the new players who enjoy straightforward murder death killing. They even messed Harold up. For those who love Fallout steer clear, or just rent to say you've played them all. Good-day.

Reviewer's Score: 3/10, Originally Posted: 03/23/04