When Fallout 3 came out a few months ago, the game made waves throughout the video game industry. The game also came under scrutiny for the realistic simulation of drug addiction which was a touchy subject in the land down under. However, arguably the realism in Fallout 3 is what could make it one of the best RPGs out there.

Story

Fallout 3 revolves around the main character that lives in a post-apocalyptic era where the world is in ruins after a nuclear fallout. However, some of the lucky survivors had the foresight to buy their way into a fortified underground vault. You actually start the game off from being born from the womb. At this point you select whether to be a girl or boy and project how you will look like as an adult.

The story picks up when your father suddenly escapes the vault and goes out into the radiated Washington DC landscape. You will follow the trail left by your father, managing to stay one step behind him. During the journey, you will discover the secret behind your father’s disappearance.

Outside, you will face super mutants, giant ants and ghouls, which are rotting zombie like humans suffering from the effects of the nuclear blast. It is suffice to say, that the world outside the vault is extremely dangerous with groups of people huddled together in patches trying to survive.

The main quest in Fallout 3 is not that long. However, add in the side quests and you have yourself a massive game. I clocked in over 100 hours and still did not finish all of the side quests. In addition to the main and side quests, there are unmarked quests as well. You may find a note or two on some dead bodies that might take you across the map on a treasure hunt.

The story is setup so that you can actually take multiple routes depending on the decisions or choice you make in the game. Without spoiling too much, early on in the game you will have the option to either destroy or save a town. Saving the town will mean you will be blocked off from another location. However, destroying the town will ensure that you get a nice suite and access to a new location.

The developers have indicated that there are over 200 possible endings depending on the many variables in the game. The replayability in Fallout 3 is unparalleled compared to other games in the same genre. Literally, you could survive a year off playing Fallout 3.

Controls

The combat in the game can be played in two different ways. There is the real time action, which is practically useless and then there is the VATS battle system. Fallout 3 comes closer than many of the western so called “RPGs” such as Fable 2 and Oblivion as being classified as a true traditional RPG.

Instead of making an action adventure game with some RPG elements, Bethesda Studios crafted a true RPG with a real battle system. One of the “must haves” in any true RPG is a battle system to provide combat strategy. Bethesda Studio’s previous game, Oblivion provided zero combat strategy due to the lack of a battle system. However, Fallout 3 will make gamers think and strategize on how to attack each enemy.

Running in guns blazing will only get the player killed in an instant. Battle systems are usually turn-based like VATS. Similar battle systems can be found in KOTOR and Mass Effect. Turn-based battle systems have been around since the days of Dungeons & Dragons from over 30 years ago. It is definitely good to see that Bethesda Studios is focusing more on the RPG aspect of combat than relegating to hacking and slashing like in Oblivion.

Visuals/Design

Fallout 3 looks good, but it won’t bring a tear to your eyes playing it on your HDTV. It is understandable that with a world as massive as Fallout 3, a sacrifice has to be made somewhere and the graphics department takes a hit. However, the game excels visually is in the art direction, which is superb.

Fallout 3 looks like a future with a retro feel to it. The style of the vehicles, buildings and even the people have a 60s feel. However, there are robots, advanced weaponry and medicine in this twisted future.

The dialog tree is extremely well designed. Depending on the choices in the dialog tree, a different outcome will occur. At times, conflicts can be avoided if your speech/dialog level is high enough. Despite the improvements in Bethesda Software’s dialog tree in Fallout 3 over Oblivion, it still did not seem as solid as the tree in Mass Effect.

At times, NPCs will say something to contradict what they might have said previously. For example there are glitches found in the game where NPCs will react as if a quest was not completed despite indicating that the quest was completed just minutes ago. However, these issues are minor nuances when you consider the scale of Fallout 3 to other games.

You can earn good or evil karma depending on the decisions you make in the game. For example, if you steal or kill innocent NPCs, you will gain evil karma.

Wrap-up

Fallout 3 is by far one of the best RPGs to come out in a very long time. I am giving it high praise to Bethesda Software for going back to the root of what a RPG is as well as helping evolve the genre. Not only does it have the turn-based battle system down pat, it also has the leveling and dialog tree well fleshed out.

Fallout 3 is definitely a game that is worth more than the $60 you may spend for it. I highly recommend all gamers to go out and purchase Fallout 3, which can be found on the Xbox 360, PS3 and PC.

Score

4/5

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