UK Spotlight, 9.1.<blockquote>While the story is interesting and has some nice surprises towards the end it never compels you to keep playing to find out what happens. One of its biggest failings is the games inability to get the player emotionally connected to the characters in the game. Some scenes are full of emotional story and dialogue while all we see is a blank face.
Bethesda have also taken a leap in the design of their quests, unlike more and more games being released Fallout 3 doesn't treat you like an idiot, you won't be given each stage of every quest as a map marker for you to blindly run towards. Many quests will require you to do some investigation before proceeding to the next area.</blockquote>DailyGame, 9.3.<blockquote>The third big difference with Fallout 3, however, is the first instance where I really take issue with the game: character progression. One of the great successes of Oblivion was your gameplay decisions and actions had "real-life consequences" on your character. Use a melee weapon a lot, and your melee skill improved. Use your bow a lot, and your ranged combat improved. Sneak a lot, and your stealth skill improved. In Fallout 3, however, skill progression is strictly based on point assignments, which removes a big part of the feeling of "ownership" of your character.
Fallout 3 is not Oblivion with guns, nor is it Oblivion in the 23rd Century. Fallout 3 is Fallout 3: one of the deepest action RPGs ever created, a unique hybrid of real-time and turn-based combat. The hybrid at times feels a bit forced, almost as though Bethesda was afraid to go "too deep" at times, but the end result is still nothing short of a must-buy game.</blockquote>suite101, third review.<blockquote>Fallout 3 is certainly an evolution of the Fallout series style of gameplay but with much of the atmosphere and recognisable themes translated well, it’s a game that should appeal to old and new fans alike.</blockquote>GameCollision, 9.9.<blockquote>Very few games are as good, deep, and immersive as Fallout 3. The game looks great, sounds fantastic, and plays brilliantly. The story and atmosphere are more engaging than most Hollywood blockbusters, and it will last you longer than most games in the business. Easily one of the best games of the year and with possibly over 100 hours of gameplay, it's also one of the best packages. Sure there are some flaws but none that can't be easily looked past when you take in the game as a whole.</blockquote>Zergwatch, 3 (of 5?)<blockquote>I have played so many games on so many different platforms, but FallOut 3 has far surpassed them all.</blockquote>neXGam, 9.6.<blockquote>Each year appear full a hand title, which must have played simply each owner of console. Fall out 3 belongs without any doubt to this group of plays, which begin the Year Award to nominating for the Game OF. Fall out 3 carries the player forward on an indescribable journey, who want to last to that extent their it a half eternity can. The player experiences a world, which he is so fast not forgotten again. Yes, fall out 3 has more together with the Elder Scrolls row than with the actual Interplay roots, but that is in my opinion everything else as bad.</blockquote>Hooked Gamers, 10.<blockquote>While most franchises edge forward in technology on a yearly or bi-yearly schedule, Fallout’s last appearance is over a decade old. As a result, Fallout 3's engine is an earth-shattering improvement over the previous two games.
The game’s conclusion is of a magnitude that is rarely seen in a game and rivals the closing scenes of many a blockbuster movie. In the last half an hour of the game, Bethesda creates an emotional roller-coaster, mixing helplessness, anger, revenge, hope and elation and ends the game with a choice that is both unfair and impossible to make.
There is no doubt in my mind that Fallout 3 will end up a classic that will be remembered by many for decades to come.</blockquote>GamersInfo.<blockquote>This is one of the rare few games that I will find myself coming back to not only for the next few weeks but for months down the line, as players modify certain aspects of the game and make it even more fun to play. I really can’t recommend this game enough if you’re a fan of the Fallout series or have enjoyed games like Oblivion. And if you’re like me and enjoy blood, guts and gore, take the Bloody Mess perk the moment you hit level 6. Trust me. You will not regret it.</blockquote>
Bethesda have also taken a leap in the design of their quests, unlike more and more games being released Fallout 3 doesn't treat you like an idiot, you won't be given each stage of every quest as a map marker for you to blindly run towards. Many quests will require you to do some investigation before proceeding to the next area.</blockquote>DailyGame, 9.3.<blockquote>The third big difference with Fallout 3, however, is the first instance where I really take issue with the game: character progression. One of the great successes of Oblivion was your gameplay decisions and actions had "real-life consequences" on your character. Use a melee weapon a lot, and your melee skill improved. Use your bow a lot, and your ranged combat improved. Sneak a lot, and your stealth skill improved. In Fallout 3, however, skill progression is strictly based on point assignments, which removes a big part of the feeling of "ownership" of your character.
Fallout 3 is not Oblivion with guns, nor is it Oblivion in the 23rd Century. Fallout 3 is Fallout 3: one of the deepest action RPGs ever created, a unique hybrid of real-time and turn-based combat. The hybrid at times feels a bit forced, almost as though Bethesda was afraid to go "too deep" at times, but the end result is still nothing short of a must-buy game.</blockquote>suite101, third review.<blockquote>Fallout 3 is certainly an evolution of the Fallout series style of gameplay but with much of the atmosphere and recognisable themes translated well, it’s a game that should appeal to old and new fans alike.</blockquote>GameCollision, 9.9.<blockquote>Very few games are as good, deep, and immersive as Fallout 3. The game looks great, sounds fantastic, and plays brilliantly. The story and atmosphere are more engaging than most Hollywood blockbusters, and it will last you longer than most games in the business. Easily one of the best games of the year and with possibly over 100 hours of gameplay, it's also one of the best packages. Sure there are some flaws but none that can't be easily looked past when you take in the game as a whole.</blockquote>Zergwatch, 3 (of 5?)<blockquote>I have played so many games on so many different platforms, but FallOut 3 has far surpassed them all.</blockquote>neXGam, 9.6.<blockquote>Each year appear full a hand title, which must have played simply each owner of console. Fall out 3 belongs without any doubt to this group of plays, which begin the Year Award to nominating for the Game OF. Fall out 3 carries the player forward on an indescribable journey, who want to last to that extent their it a half eternity can. The player experiences a world, which he is so fast not forgotten again. Yes, fall out 3 has more together with the Elder Scrolls row than with the actual Interplay roots, but that is in my opinion everything else as bad.</blockquote>Hooked Gamers, 10.<blockquote>While most franchises edge forward in technology on a yearly or bi-yearly schedule, Fallout’s last appearance is over a decade old. As a result, Fallout 3's engine is an earth-shattering improvement over the previous two games.
The game’s conclusion is of a magnitude that is rarely seen in a game and rivals the closing scenes of many a blockbuster movie. In the last half an hour of the game, Bethesda creates an emotional roller-coaster, mixing helplessness, anger, revenge, hope and elation and ends the game with a choice that is both unfair and impossible to make.
There is no doubt in my mind that Fallout 3 will end up a classic that will be remembered by many for decades to come.</blockquote>GamersInfo.<blockquote>This is one of the rare few games that I will find myself coming back to not only for the next few weeks but for months down the line, as players modify certain aspects of the game and make it even more fun to play. I really can’t recommend this game enough if you’re a fan of the Fallout series or have enjoyed games like Oblivion. And if you’re like me and enjoy blood, guts and gore, take the Bloody Mess perk the moment you hit level 6. Trust me. You will not regret it.</blockquote>
