Fallout 3 was a popular game. It was most gamers' first exposure to the Fallout series. Fallout 1 and 2? What are those? What? You don't have a first-person POV? It's like a baby's toy!
Yeah. Anyway, I've been a Fallout fan since Interplay released the originals in the 90's. I was excited for Fallout 3. Then disappointed. It certainly had atmosphere, but not Fallout atmosphere. It was just a post-apocalyptic RPG with a slightly 50's vibe and zero personality. For all it had to do with Fallout 1 and 2, it may as well have been a reboot.
Then, when the sequel was announced, I was skeptical. Obsidian's reputation is split between the side that values their attention to detail and unmatched writing skill and their propensity for releasing buggy games (because Bethesda has NEVER done that). I was on the fence until I played the game, and what a difference it makes! This is the world after the Master, after the end of the Enclave. The NCR is a thriving frontier government threatened by the Legion, with neutral New Vegas a key spot on the map. Your character's personal story gets you drawn into the conflict in the region- and it's actually a familiar region. The Mojave, unlike DC, doesn't look like it was just bombed. It actually looks pretty accurate to the real Mojave desert.
If some people that got on board with 3 have issues with things like the neo-Western theme or a gang of Elvis impersonators, I think it's because Bethesda did a poor job of translating the spirit of Fallout to Fallout 3. It is essentially a completely unrelated game to New Vegas, which for all intents and purposes continues the story of the NCR's expansion begun in the original game- and maybe their downfall, too.
But what makes New Vegas shine are its flavor and its characters. Caesar is an absolutely compelling villain (and unlike Fallout 3, you can side with the bad guy). The faction leaders come in all shades of gray. And your companions all have personalities and a backstory, most of which comes up in sidequests.
Finally, the skill system is overhauled. You can no longer be an unstoppable jack of all trades. You actually have to choose what kind of character you're going to play instead of just becoming a typical Bethesda godlike hero.
The game Fallout 3 should have been.
Fallout 3 was a popular game. It was most gamers' first exposure to the Fallout series. Fallout 1 and 2? What are those? What? You don't have a first-person POV? It's like a baby's toy!
Yeah. Anyway, I've been a Fallout fan since Interplay released the originals in the 90's. I was excited for Fallout 3. Then disappointed. It certainly had atmosphere, but not Fallout atmosphere. It was just a post-apocalyptic RPG with a slightly 50's vibe and zero personality. For all it had to do with Fallout 1 and 2, it may as well have been a reboot.
Then, when the sequel was announced, I was skeptical. Obsidian's reputation is split between the side that values their attention to detail and unmatched writing skill and their propensity for releasing buggy games (because Bethesda has NEVER done that). I was on the fence until I played the game, and what a difference it makes! This is the world after the Master, after the end of the Enclave. The NCR is a thriving frontier government threatened by the Legion, with neutral New Vegas a key spot on the map. Your character's personal story gets you drawn into the conflict in the region- and it's actually a familiar region. The Mojave, unlike DC, doesn't look like it was just bombed. It actually looks pretty accurate to the real Mojave desert.
If some people that got on board with 3 have issues with things like the neo-Western theme or a gang of Elvis impersonators, I think it's because Bethesda did a poor job of translating the spirit of Fallout to Fallout 3. It is essentially a completely unrelated game to New Vegas, which for all intents and purposes continues the story of the NCR's expansion begun in the original game- and maybe their downfall, too.
But what makes New Vegas shine are its flavor and its characters. Caesar is an absolutely compelling villain (and unlike Fallout 3, you can side with the bad guy). The faction leaders come in all shades of gray. And your companions all have personalities and a backstory, most of which comes up in sidequests.
Finally, the skill system is overhauled. You can no longer be an unstoppable jack of all trades. You actually have to choose what kind of character you're going to play instead of just becoming a typical Bethesda godlike hero.