Election special!
Den of Geek, 5/5.<blockquote>Comparisons to Oblivion are inevitable and unavoidable. Bethesda's previous classic was so good though, that this certainly is no hindrance. In fact, one of the best compliments to be levelled at Fallout 3 is that it's every bit as good, if not better, than the Elder Scrolls title. Contrary to popular belief, this is not simply 'Oblivion with guns' though, and although many elements are the same, there's a whole lot of new content here, and a raft of new play mechanics.
Unless I strain my neurons, I can't really pick any clear faults with the game, and any issues are mere minor blemishes. But at a push I'd have to admit that the real-time FPS combat isn't as tight as it could have been, and doesn't feel as smooth or approachable as a dedicated FPS title. And while V.A.T.S does a great job most of the time, occasionally the camera can stumble, and will get stuck within objects or characters, obscuring the view of the carnage.</blockquote>TalkXbox, 92.<blockquote>Before you’re born into the world, you should set your expectation accordingly. Fallout 3 is not a sequel to Fallout 2. Aside from a few scarce references and the inclusion of franchise classics such as the Brotherhood of Steel and Vault Boy, you’d have a hard time identifying this game from some other apocalypse simulator. The game would’ve been better off titled “Trashland” and didn’t worry about rabid fans screaming blasphemy whenever arcane specifics were fiddled around with.</blockquote>Gamebrit, 9/10.<blockquote>It should be noted that the original team have since been disbanded so development rights have been handed to Bethesda, who are making this their first self-published title. Anyone worried about the lack of input from any of the original crew might have on the overall experience should allay those fears now, as Bethesda has done a wonderful job bringing Fallout to the next generation. Seeing as they are responsible for the Elder Scrolls games, which share many common elements with the Fallout games, its no small wonder that they would be up to the task.
The fact that the team are big fans of the series is also pretty clear from the outset, as all the elements the other games are known for are all here. The karma system returns and has been fleshed out considerably, as have the weapon creation and skill sets.</blockquote>GameGirl extensive impressions.<blockquote>If you don't have this game, you need to go buy it. I would rate this game as being one of the highest on my list of "best games evar" and I am betting you would too. You can expect a full review of this title from me once I finish, but I wouldn't expect that to be for another several weeks. In the meantime, go grab yourself a copy and experience it for yourself!</blockquote>Armchair Generalist blog.<blockquote>The combat is annoying, even though you have a Value-Tec Assisted Targeting System (VATS). You can dump loads of ammo into adversaries without killing them (it's percentage-based hitting dependant on your skills), and other times, they pop like balloons. The percentage chance of hitting body parts is frustrating, as it can mean missing miscreants that are yards away from you. Watch as your assault rifle hammers slugs into a target's head and they keep coming. Grrrr... And I love how 450-pound, 7 foot Super Mutants are able to surprise you because they make no noise running up behind you. The Mad Max-wannabee Raiders are very quiet stalkers also, until they start screaming as they charge at you. It's not a perfect system at all.</blockquote>Dose.ca, 9.0/10.<blockquote>The world of Fallout 3 is stuffed with satire, despair and violence - but you'll friggin' love it! Given its setting, you have to expect some edge, but Bethesda ramps up things up by stuffing so much dark humor into the scenery, throwaway dialogue and characters that you find yourself laughing at even the most tragic and horrific situations. Even the much-touted VATS combat system - which allows players to target an enemy's specific body parts for brutal and gory annihilation - self-reflexively helps you perpetuate the love of conflict and death that the game at its outset holds responsible for humanity's downfall. It's an element of the game that elevates it from a simple post-apocalyptic shooter.
One of the biggest disappointments of the game is the combat. While not a total deal breaker, there are some serious problems. Seeing as much of the main quest involves you running around killing things, you'd think Bethesda would have things in the first-person looking less buggy, less jumpy and less dorky. Enemies run around in that cartoony way they did in Bethesda's Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion and it starts to feel a little like good ole Duck Hunt sometimes as you try to pop a cap in raiders or super mutants as they dance and glide around. And don't even talk to us about the third-person views - whether in or out of combat, it's absolutely atrocious to look at and almost insulting in its uselessness and incompleteness. Even the VATS system - which often makes the combat fun and awesome - has its problems with weird camera glitches that often leave you vulnerable to attack. It's scary that so much time was spent on creating such a deep, believable world, and so little time making sure the combat mechanics were just as deep or believable.</blockquote>The Columbus Dispatch.<blockquote>There are few, if any, flaws in this game. The graphics are impressive -- including the ruins of the capital. The game also takes full advantage of campy art reminiscent of the Cold War culture of the 1950s.
The only complaint might be the use of some salty language that seems gratuitous at times. But expecting the inhabitants of the brutal world of the Wastelands to be gentle is probably unrealistic.
While fighting has its place, it's the quests that will occupy much of players' time. If they are as plentiful and engaging as they were in Oblivion, Fallout 3 will provide hours of play.</blockquote>Finally, there is now a reasonably accurate transcript of the ABC Television/Good Game video review from before.
Den of Geek, 5/5.<blockquote>Comparisons to Oblivion are inevitable and unavoidable. Bethesda's previous classic was so good though, that this certainly is no hindrance. In fact, one of the best compliments to be levelled at Fallout 3 is that it's every bit as good, if not better, than the Elder Scrolls title. Contrary to popular belief, this is not simply 'Oblivion with guns' though, and although many elements are the same, there's a whole lot of new content here, and a raft of new play mechanics.
Unless I strain my neurons, I can't really pick any clear faults with the game, and any issues are mere minor blemishes. But at a push I'd have to admit that the real-time FPS combat isn't as tight as it could have been, and doesn't feel as smooth or approachable as a dedicated FPS title. And while V.A.T.S does a great job most of the time, occasionally the camera can stumble, and will get stuck within objects or characters, obscuring the view of the carnage.</blockquote>TalkXbox, 92.<blockquote>Before you’re born into the world, you should set your expectation accordingly. Fallout 3 is not a sequel to Fallout 2. Aside from a few scarce references and the inclusion of franchise classics such as the Brotherhood of Steel and Vault Boy, you’d have a hard time identifying this game from some other apocalypse simulator. The game would’ve been better off titled “Trashland” and didn’t worry about rabid fans screaming blasphemy whenever arcane specifics were fiddled around with.</blockquote>Gamebrit, 9/10.<blockquote>It should be noted that the original team have since been disbanded so development rights have been handed to Bethesda, who are making this their first self-published title. Anyone worried about the lack of input from any of the original crew might have on the overall experience should allay those fears now, as Bethesda has done a wonderful job bringing Fallout to the next generation. Seeing as they are responsible for the Elder Scrolls games, which share many common elements with the Fallout games, its no small wonder that they would be up to the task.
The fact that the team are big fans of the series is also pretty clear from the outset, as all the elements the other games are known for are all here. The karma system returns and has been fleshed out considerably, as have the weapon creation and skill sets.</blockquote>GameGirl extensive impressions.<blockquote>If you don't have this game, you need to go buy it. I would rate this game as being one of the highest on my list of "best games evar" and I am betting you would too. You can expect a full review of this title from me once I finish, but I wouldn't expect that to be for another several weeks. In the meantime, go grab yourself a copy and experience it for yourself!</blockquote>Armchair Generalist blog.<blockquote>The combat is annoying, even though you have a Value-Tec Assisted Targeting System (VATS). You can dump loads of ammo into adversaries without killing them (it's percentage-based hitting dependant on your skills), and other times, they pop like balloons. The percentage chance of hitting body parts is frustrating, as it can mean missing miscreants that are yards away from you. Watch as your assault rifle hammers slugs into a target's head and they keep coming. Grrrr... And I love how 450-pound, 7 foot Super Mutants are able to surprise you because they make no noise running up behind you. The Mad Max-wannabee Raiders are very quiet stalkers also, until they start screaming as they charge at you. It's not a perfect system at all.</blockquote>Dose.ca, 9.0/10.<blockquote>The world of Fallout 3 is stuffed with satire, despair and violence - but you'll friggin' love it! Given its setting, you have to expect some edge, but Bethesda ramps up things up by stuffing so much dark humor into the scenery, throwaway dialogue and characters that you find yourself laughing at even the most tragic and horrific situations. Even the much-touted VATS combat system - which allows players to target an enemy's specific body parts for brutal and gory annihilation - self-reflexively helps you perpetuate the love of conflict and death that the game at its outset holds responsible for humanity's downfall. It's an element of the game that elevates it from a simple post-apocalyptic shooter.
One of the biggest disappointments of the game is the combat. While not a total deal breaker, there are some serious problems. Seeing as much of the main quest involves you running around killing things, you'd think Bethesda would have things in the first-person looking less buggy, less jumpy and less dorky. Enemies run around in that cartoony way they did in Bethesda's Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion and it starts to feel a little like good ole Duck Hunt sometimes as you try to pop a cap in raiders or super mutants as they dance and glide around. And don't even talk to us about the third-person views - whether in or out of combat, it's absolutely atrocious to look at and almost insulting in its uselessness and incompleteness. Even the VATS system - which often makes the combat fun and awesome - has its problems with weird camera glitches that often leave you vulnerable to attack. It's scary that so much time was spent on creating such a deep, believable world, and so little time making sure the combat mechanics were just as deep or believable.</blockquote>The Columbus Dispatch.<blockquote>There are few, if any, flaws in this game. The graphics are impressive -- including the ruins of the capital. The game also takes full advantage of campy art reminiscent of the Cold War culture of the 1950s.
The only complaint might be the use of some salty language that seems gratuitous at times. But expecting the inhabitants of the brutal world of the Wastelands to be gentle is probably unrealistic.
While fighting has its place, it's the quests that will occupy much of players' time. If they are as plentiful and engaging as they were in Oblivion, Fallout 3 will provide hours of play.</blockquote>Finally, there is now a reasonably accurate transcript of the ABC Television/Good Game video review from before.
