I just completed F1 and I'm about to start F2. I managed to complete F1 without followers (apart from two fights) because I prefer it that way. Is it possible to go solo in F2 or would that make it too hard?
Also, it seemed like energy weapons were essential late game in F1, but I don't really like them. Is it possible to avoid them in F2? Maybe small guns then big guns?
Weapons and combat are both VERY different in FO2 compared to FO1. The overall engine is the same, but the numbers are all different. Different dice rolls, different multipliers and reducers, different ammo types, etc. There are MORE Big Guns than FO1, making it a more viable combat choice in FO2, but some of the best weapons in the game are actually Small Guns.
Also, your opponents are ALL very different in FO2, so despite there being better weapons, they'll seem much less effective because you won't be fighting Raiders with 24 HP, you'll be fighting random naked Tribals with upwards of 50 HP, and heavily armed Raiders with 120 HP. Burst and heavy weapons won't eviscerate your enemies like it did in FO1.
Because of the new armors and "particular enemies" you'll be facing, Energy Weapons are actually NOT very effective in FO2. They were the best thing to use in FO1, true, but they're quite mediocre in the sequel. Also, like Big Guns, you go a long way before you get your first Energy Weapon, so for most intents and purposes, they're "useless".
Short answer is: Stick with Small Guns.
As for going solo or not:
Go solo all you want (the only issue would be carry weight. In FO2, you can use companions as mules, free of charge (unlike FO1))
Fo1 companions can carry your stuff too. You only have to use the stealing skill on them. They will never be angry at you for doing this.
I second this. Go solo. I made SEVERAL characters (in vanilla FO2) that were beastly combatants and didn't need a party to go at it with the large-scale fights. Then again, in the late game I AVOIDED fighting as much as possible. But point being it's VERY doable. You don't NEED companions at all! They just make things MUCH easier. More targets for enemies to attack, so less focus on you. More damage output. MUCH more total carry weight. Using Steal makes trading items back and forth much easier than engaging in the interface with them.
But the drawbacks are you have to build your character to be able to "persuade" people to join you, you gotta outfit them with their gear, so they're a potentially expensive endeavor, and they will alert enemies to your true allegiance if you try to disguise yourself.
In short, like everything in the game, companions come with pros and cons. I like both routes, personally. Sometimes I go with a full crew. Sometimes I play the lone wolf. "Season to taste" is, as always, the rule of thumb. =)
