Fallout 3

It’s a little ironic maybe that the original Fallout was considered an unofficial sequel to Electronic Arts earlier title Wastelands but couldn’t use the name due to rights issues as Fallout 3 hasn’t been without problems of its own.

Fallout 3 began under the auspices of the infamous Black Isle Studios, only to be shelved as Black Isle Packed up and closed doors when Interplay went belly up.  Not be defeated though, the rights eventually found their way into the experienced hands of Bethesda Softworks, creators the Elder Scrolls series. (For a considerable whack $$$!)

Fallout 3 takes us 200 years ahead of the original Fallout disaster and continues the story 36 years on from Fallout 2.  Players will assume the role of a resident of Vault 101, a fallout shelter community which serves survivors of the apocalypse.  Upon discovering your father has left the confines of the Vault 101, your character sets off in search of him: cue post apocalyptic quest music.

The skills system from the original titles returns although a couple appear to be missing, which ones aren’t clear but I’m sure we will find out sooner or later. On the positive side, Dogmeat our faithful pooch and canine protector has survived the developer genesis and will once again trot happily by your side through the mayhem ahead.

Fallouts universe was marked by dark humour, cynicism and sprawling game play packaged into a wonderful post apocalyptic tale.  It’s hard to see Fallout 3 daring to stray to far from the recipe given the series cult status but expect some changes to creep in there.

Already degradable weapons seems to be in, a novel realism feature but one which all too often stands in the way of good old fashioned fun.  Another feature of interest is the combat system which moves away from point and click into a hybrid real time/turn based system new to the series and Bethesda.  Players can have a party of three, the player, Dogmeat and another NPC character.  As far as this goes we have to hope the path finding techniques have improved significantly since Oblivion or maybe three’s a crowd!

Probably the most significant turn-up is the viewpoint, which Bethesda tells us should be First Person, although a toggle to third is possible.  Let’s hope that doesn’t come with a run and gun mentality built alongside it!

Bethesda is no stranger to the RPG world having stunned the genre with the elegant Morrowind and followed up with the astounding and jaw dropping Oblivion.  A little of that influence has certainly rubbed off and the Fallout 3 graphics engine looks every bit as enchanting as one might expect from Bethesda.  The choice of high calibre voice actors suggests the focus on quality character development hasn’t changed either.  What might be of a little more concern is Bethesada’s growing love for the console market and the heavy focus on PS3 and Xbox versions.  While it remains to be seen, there’s certainly a strong case for wondering how much the PC version might suffer as a consequence both visually and in performance terms.

With the differences between controllers and keyboard and mouse it’s going to be very difficult for Bethesda to please both camps on the interface and handling without two very different approaches to this.  Given their expertise in the genre and past showings it’s only fair to have high hopes and give the benefit of the doubt but as with many modern PC titles, there’s always the lingering doubt.

Currently scheduled for late 2008 Fallout 3 stands every chance of becoming the happy Christmas all CRPG lovers have been waiting for, on the other hand it might yet turn into another classic that should have been left well alone.

Users That Liked This Page Also Liked:

MMORPG Cookie Cutters

Arcade Games – Are They Here to Stay?

They Set Us Up the Bomb

Battlefield Online MMO

Too Human

Mythos – Hands On Exclusive Look

Star Wars Galaxies 2: Immersion