Gaminator, 7 (thanks to KKND).<blockquote>The 7/10 is the note for a game which is not called Fallout. If you do not know previous titles, or you do not like them as much, then you probably won't bother that some symbols from the series were simply dessecrated. And that's ok, because it has flaws, it is solid CRPG-shooter in the atmosphere of world destroyed by a (too) big war. However, if Fallouts are big part of your memories, then, well...it's hard to give it more than 3/10. It's true that they succeeded in changing the perspective to first-person, the atmosphere was preserved to some degree, but...it lacks the most important thing - playing with the player. There aren't any good side-quests, main-plot is only for about 10 hours of play, the icons of the series - like Brotherhood or their power armors - were degraded to complete mediocrity. And, what is the worst - we were treated like people, whose IQ level isn't something they can be proud of. And we cannot forgive that.</blockquote>The New York Times.<blockquote>It takes a lot of gumption to blow up the entire Washington area; render the wreckage in detailed yet almost painterly strokes; populate the wasteland with all manner of alternately deranged, endearing and frightening characters; weave a score of intersecting story lines; sprinkle on a thick layer of high-powered weaponry; and simply set the player loose. Yet that is what Bethesda Softworks accomplishes with Fallout 3, one of the most ambitious single-player role-playing games in recent years.</blockquote>The Adventuress blog.<blockquote>The entire skills and stat system is very similar to the one in Oblivion, so you may have an advantage to this game if you’re an Oblivion fan.</blockquote>The Gamers Cafe.<blockquote>Fallout 3 is still kick ass game to play. Sure it has it very minor imperfections, but they hardly scratch the surface of almost bombed out world that is very exciting to explore and ravage. Oblivion without the trees and perfect braining of enemies heads. What more could you want?</blockquote>Jolt, 9.6.<blockquote>And what a rich experience Fallout 3 is, anyway. Everyone’s journey can and will be different, but nobody’s should be disappointing. The game combines the strengths of two fine RPG series, which for Fallout 3 means compelling narrative in a post-apocalyptic setting and immersive gameplay in a huge, open-ended world. All of this just leaves one question to answer: is Fallout 3 a contender for Game of the Year? And the answer: undeniably, yes.</blockquote>D+Pad, 5/5.<blockquote>The real genius of Fallout 3 is that the focus is never lost; no matter how far from the main story thread you stray – and it’s possible to ignore it for countless hours – Bethesda have ensured that a sense of cohesion is maintained.
Though it doesn’t do anything particularly revolutionary, the level of artistry is so far beyond anything we’ve played recently that it almost doesn’t need to; standing uniquely in the busy Christmas schedule and indeed within 2008 as a whole, Fallout 3 is an experience to savour, a game about which every player will have their own story to tell.</blockquote>Bright Hub, second review, 5/5.<blockquote>The basic premise of the story is tried and true Fallout: Independence and the outside world are thrust upon you for one reason or another and you are left to sort out what you ultimately do. The big difference is that this time it is for personal reasons rather than some "for the greater good" motive. This gives your character a much more open venue to take care of things as you wish.</blockquote>Made of Awesome blog, 9/10.<blockquote>One of the game’s best moments for me was a character with a long laundry list of weird or even stupid requests. She went from, “dear god can I shoot her” to “why can’t I make my character marry her?” Some of the characters are that entertaining.</blockquote>RPGCodex.<blockquote>You, the proverbial role player, will enjoy the varied way you can respond to NPCs and the how you can shape the world through your actions. You might even find a hard to make choice here and there about whether to go with your guts or to go with what you know is right. Above all, it’s about discovery, and discovery is what Bethesda does best.
Ironically, discovery is also a cause of hurt in the world of Fallout 3. The game is perfectly fine with the player choosing the wild dialog options, but as soon as things get back to the real world, it doesn’t want you to go off track. Once a script ends, it ends, and the game doesn’t want you running it anymore. This is perhaps the biggest difference between Fallout 3 and its predecessors. The original Fallout begged you to break it. It begged you to get caught at level 2 by the Super Mutants, and attempt to kill Killian with Tycho at your side. Fallout 3 gives you choice, but outside of those choices it can get fuzzy. You attack someone through insulting dialog instead of starting the fight by running up and clobbering them with your baseball bat. There are many things to discover around the volcano, just don’t jump in it, or go to that area labeled “Caution: Native Cannibals”.</blockquote>
Though it doesn’t do anything particularly revolutionary, the level of artistry is so far beyond anything we’ve played recently that it almost doesn’t need to; standing uniquely in the busy Christmas schedule and indeed within 2008 as a whole, Fallout 3 is an experience to savour, a game about which every player will have their own story to tell.</blockquote>Bright Hub, second review, 5/5.<blockquote>The basic premise of the story is tried and true Fallout: Independence and the outside world are thrust upon you for one reason or another and you are left to sort out what you ultimately do. The big difference is that this time it is for personal reasons rather than some "for the greater good" motive. This gives your character a much more open venue to take care of things as you wish.</blockquote>Made of Awesome blog, 9/10.<blockquote>One of the game’s best moments for me was a character with a long laundry list of weird or even stupid requests. She went from, “dear god can I shoot her” to “why can’t I make my character marry her?” Some of the characters are that entertaining.</blockquote>RPGCodex.<blockquote>You, the proverbial role player, will enjoy the varied way you can respond to NPCs and the how you can shape the world through your actions. You might even find a hard to make choice here and there about whether to go with your guts or to go with what you know is right. Above all, it’s about discovery, and discovery is what Bethesda does best.
Ironically, discovery is also a cause of hurt in the world of Fallout 3. The game is perfectly fine with the player choosing the wild dialog options, but as soon as things get back to the real world, it doesn’t want you to go off track. Once a script ends, it ends, and the game doesn’t want you running it anymore. This is perhaps the biggest difference between Fallout 3 and its predecessors. The original Fallout begged you to break it. It begged you to get caught at level 2 by the Super Mutants, and attempt to kill Killian with Tycho at your side. Fallout 3 gives you choice, but outside of those choices it can get fuzzy. You attack someone through insulting dialog instead of starting the fight by running up and clobbering them with your baseball bat. There are many things to discover around the volcano, just don’t jump in it, or go to that area labeled “Caution: Native Cannibals”.</blockquote>
