Fallout 3 = 25% Mutants, 25% Humans, 50% Prostitutes

Thanks to the annual merriment of my birth, a new post-apocalyptic venture has begun. After "birthing" a new character, fighting a couple greasers, and beating a GOAT, you are thrust into the ruins of Washington DC. Without going into the history of the series, there's been a nuclear attack and there's super mutants and militant types abound. I won't lie, I didn't play the previous installments but this episode tugged at my dystopian FPS heart-strings.

You find a dog... his name is Puddles... ok, not really.

Set in the vast city and outskirts of Washington DC, the environment is anything but small and boring. Although empty at times, this plays to the overwhelming feeling of desolation and destruction. 1950's furniture and food (like Blamco Mac 'n Cheese!) characterizes the era well with a "Bioshock meets Mad Max" kind of nostalgia. It's astonishing the amount of buildings you can explore as well when most games tend to be populated with paranoid, deadbolt enthusiasts. And thank you Bethesda! Thank you for teaching the world that people need bathrooms, beds, and kitchens! It's high time we develop a game that real people could actually live in! I admit I was disappointed after searching that first restroom and coming out empty handed, but I was so very proud! For once I didn't find 53 dollars and a pristine shotgun sitting on a toilet seat. *tear*

At times this world might seem similar to Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion, but I'll give you 3 reasons it isn't the same. First, Fallout's landscape is more geographically chaotic with higher resolution textures. Second, the Capital Wasteland is full of broken down cars (which can explode), decimated houses (full of loot), and a cornucopia of creatures and random encounters. The world of Cyrodiil, however, is full of grass, trees, and rocks but devoid of any true atmosphere and depth. Third, and most resoundingly, is the combat.

V.A.T.S. = Lots of Exploding Heads

The combat system is solid and I have yet to grow tired of the VATS targeting system. More than a simple slow-motion kill, this allows you to be quite strategic. Say you're pinned down by a sniper, assault gun-wielding mutant and a wolf. You could theoretically disarm the mutant, shoot the wolf in the foot, stunning it, and then focus 2 body shots on the sniper. Dependency on this system was something I feared; But honestly it's just convenient and limiting enough that you will almost always have to shoot manually when fighting more than 2 or 3 enemies (sans drug use). The AI of said enemies though is questionable at times. When they do take cover, they kind of clumsily slide behind a column then immediately shamble back out without any perceivable strategy. Although occasionally they will run away when their life is low (which makes me laugh). Besides that, a cast of wonderfully inventive weapons makes every battle unique and gore fans won't be disappointed when the "bloody mess" feat is activated.

The voice acting in this game is superb. Not only is it voiced by some well-known actors (Liam Neilson anyone?), general dialogue is just as engaging. From bratty kids dropping the "f bomb" to hilarious Canadian shopkeeps, this game does not disappoint when it comes to voice talent. The only blemish here is the inclusion of some old Oblivion voice talent. Don't get me wrong, using the same people is fine. But using the exact same voice, tone, attitude, and dialect is NOT. Last thing I want to think when I'm talking to a cursing raider about to kill me is "Huh, that sounds a lot like Gawain the Imperial Guard from Oblivion...". But all is forgiven when you try hiding from the enemy: "Stop hiding like a bitch!"

Home Sweet Home

And while the story isn't too complicated or twisty (so far), it's nice not to have to bolt everywhere to save the world from eminent doom which will strike in exactly 10 real-life hours. That being said there is a noticeable lack of emotion here. One could blame this on the GameBryo Engine's lack of realistic facial animations which seriously needs a lesson from Paul Ekman and the Source Engine. But really I blame the minuscule characterization in the beginning. I really wanted to live in the Vault for a while and understand the monotony of a closed-in life. I found the "aging" events very clever and effective in this regard and wished there were many more. But all in all this was a small tarnish on the diamond that is Fallout 3.

Final Verdict: Great wasteland exploring with Fat-Man-sized explosions of pure happiness. Deep, immersive gameplay with a pinch of recycled fantasy adventure.

What they should have done:

1. Better face textures & animations
2. More time in Vault 101 with daddy
3. Online Multiplayer to take advantage of great weapon variety
   
   

...and why isn't Purified Water and Rad-Away 1000 caps each? And why bottle caps???