You might remember the original Fallout and its sequel, a pair of RPGs that take place in a post-apocalyptic California and feature a robust character creation system, a wide variety of memorable locales and difficult questions with no easy answers. Many years later, Fallout New Vegas has taken up the mantle of the series and serves as a worthy successor to those games in terms of design and spirit
The plot of the game involves you, a courier, being shot in your head and having your package stolen, so you set out to find it and learn why you were given the job. There's a good sense of mystery involved in learning the truth behind your mission, but at the same time, you also learn more about the struggle raging in New Vegas, helping inform you when you decide who you will help to take control of it. There are few obvious right or wrong answers, and all of your choices have consequences, which makes them meaningful without being cliched.
Like in other Fallout games, you can allocate your points in various statistics, choose traits that have pros and cons, acquire perks every other level, and gain skill points every level. You have to choose wisely, since skill points and perks are rarer than 3, (although you get more perks than either of the first two games) but it's possible to use a variety of different playstyles.
One especially good part is that skills not only have utility in combat, but can also be used to pass dialogue checks- you might use your Science skill to hack into a computer or make an informed remark in a discussion about technology. These skill checks are a good way of making sure that even the less useful non-combat skills are relevant in some way, offering you alternative solutions or opportunities for more experience.
The Action Points system returns as the VATS system (which, admittedly, debuted in 3), and is used quite well here, in which a gradually regnerating pool of AP allows you to aim at enemies' body parts, adding a nice mix between FPS action and the aiming mechanic in the first two games.
There's a great deal of quests to do in addition to the main storyline, many of which have multiple solutions. There are also many places to explore in the Mojave, from populated settlements and large vaults to small caves and abandoned buildings. Unfortunately, you might end up fruitlessly wandering around the wasteland without finding much- or perhaps finding dangerous creatures- so I find it convenient to have the Explorer perk so I can see where everything is.
All in all, I highly recommend Fallout: New Vegas to those who enjoyed the first two Fallout games, as I did. I'd recommend this game if you had to choose between it and 3, but found both enjoyable.
A Worthy Successor to Fallout
You might remember the original Fallout and its sequel, a pair of RPGs that take place in a post-apocalyptic California and feature a robust character creation system, a wide variety of memorable locales and difficult questions with no easy answers. Many years later, Fallout New Vegas has taken up the mantle of the series and serves as a worthy successor to those games in terms of design and spirit
The plot of the game involves you, a courier, being shot in your head and having your package stolen, so you set out to find it and learn why you were given the job. There's a good sense of mystery involved in learning the truth behind your mission, but at the same time, you also learn more about the struggle raging in New Vegas, helping inform you when you decide who you will help to take control of it. There are few obvious right or wrong answers, and all of your choices have consequences, which makes them meaningful without being cliched.
Like in other Fallout games, you can allocate your points in various statistics, choose traits that have pros and cons, acquire perks every other level, and gain skill points every level. You have to choose wisely, since skill points and perks are rarer than 3, (although you get more perks than either of the first two games) but it's possible to use a variety of different playstyles.
One especially good part is that skills not only have utility in combat, but can also be used to pass dialogue checks- you might use your Science skill to hack into a computer or make an informed remark in a discussion about technology. These skill checks are a good way of making sure that even the less useful non-combat skills are relevant in some way, offering you alternative solutions or opportunities for more experience.
The Action Points system returns as the VATS system (which, admittedly, debuted in 3), and is used quite well here, in which a gradually regnerating pool of AP allows you to aim at enemies' body parts, adding a nice mix between FPS action and the aiming mechanic in the first two games.
There's a great deal of quests to do in addition to the main storyline, many of which have multiple solutions. There are also many places to explore in the Mojave, from populated settlements and large vaults to small caves and abandoned buildings. Unfortunately, you might end up fruitlessly wandering around the wasteland without finding much- or perhaps finding dangerous creatures- so I find it convenient to have the Explorer perk so I can see where everything is.
All in all, I highly recommend Fallout: New Vegas to those who enjoyed the first two Fallout games, as I did. I'd recommend this game if you had to choose between it and 3, but found both enjoyable.