IGN played Fallout 3 at a pre-E3 event.<blockquote>Before I go on, though, please understand -- calling Fallout 3 one of the most impressive videogames of the year in a season that has already brought us Metal Gear Solid 4 and Grand Theft Auto IV isn't meant to be hyperbole. Even in its unoptimized stage (all the content is there, development is just about polish from now until October), Fallout 3 is still one of the most engaging and playable titles this side of Liberty City... and I've only tested it for about an hour.
Bold proclamations for such a small amount of hands-on time, yes, but words I'll stick behind as a fan on the Elder Scrolls. In fact, Fallout 3 is very much Oblivion in a post-apocalyptic world. So if you didn't like that game, or the series for that matter, then ignore everything I've said thus far and go read something else. If, however, you spent 200+ hours in Cyrodiil like I did, or just love western-style RPGs, then you should keep going -- because your next big adventure is just over the next hill.
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There are plenty of cool little details found in the environments as well. Dust is continuously carried by the wind as you traverse the grayish wasteland; tires and other automobile wreckage looks as distinctive and unique as the real thing; and the clothing and appearance of NPCs are not only dissimilar from person to person, but they also say a lot about the personality of the person you're talking to. In other words, Fallout 3 is a beautiful game, and the best part is that it doesn't have anywhere near the pop-in or tearing that Oblivion had.</blockquote>Words to the effect of "just like Oblivion" are repeated a few more times. There's a confused statement that the game uses "the same action point system found in its predecessors", and it is said that you can "'surrender' to another NPC during combat by holstering your weapon". They also give us a list of perks:<blockquote>* Daddy's Boy: Gains an additional 5 points in science and medicine skills.
* Gun Nut: Obsessed with guns; an additional 5 points to the small guns skills and repair skills
* Intense Training: Add a single point to any of your S.P.E.C.I.A.L. attributes
* Lady Killer: 10% damage against female opponents, plus unique dialogue with them as well
* Little Leaguer: 5 points of melee weapons and 5 points of explosives skill
* Swift Learner: 10% in total experience points
* Thief: With each rank of Thief Perk you gain an immediate 5 point bonus to sneak and lock-pick</blockquote>IGN subsidiary GameSpy has another article about the same thing, from where, besides the info that the reporter actually did get hit by the sniper, I'll only quote this funny part:<blockquote>Called The Enclave, the new government is ruled by President John Henry Eden (voiced by Malcolm McDowell) and its laws are enforced by the powerful Brotherhood of Steel. The metal-clad badasses have taken over the Pentagon and are alerted to your presence by eyebots that should be avoided at all costs. Unfortunately, our time with Fallout 3 came to an end when a Brotherhood of Steel helicopter dropped off a group of troops right in front of us.</blockquote>Thanks to Sergei.
Bold proclamations for such a small amount of hands-on time, yes, but words I'll stick behind as a fan on the Elder Scrolls. In fact, Fallout 3 is very much Oblivion in a post-apocalyptic world. So if you didn't like that game, or the series for that matter, then ignore everything I've said thus far and go read something else. If, however, you spent 200+ hours in Cyrodiil like I did, or just love western-style RPGs, then you should keep going -- because your next big adventure is just over the next hill.
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There are plenty of cool little details found in the environments as well. Dust is continuously carried by the wind as you traverse the grayish wasteland; tires and other automobile wreckage looks as distinctive and unique as the real thing; and the clothing and appearance of NPCs are not only dissimilar from person to person, but they also say a lot about the personality of the person you're talking to. In other words, Fallout 3 is a beautiful game, and the best part is that it doesn't have anywhere near the pop-in or tearing that Oblivion had.</blockquote>Words to the effect of "just like Oblivion" are repeated a few more times. There's a confused statement that the game uses "the same action point system found in its predecessors", and it is said that you can "'surrender' to another NPC during combat by holstering your weapon". They also give us a list of perks:<blockquote>* Daddy's Boy: Gains an additional 5 points in science and medicine skills.
* Gun Nut: Obsessed with guns; an additional 5 points to the small guns skills and repair skills
* Intense Training: Add a single point to any of your S.P.E.C.I.A.L. attributes
* Lady Killer: 10% damage against female opponents, plus unique dialogue with them as well
* Little Leaguer: 5 points of melee weapons and 5 points of explosives skill
* Swift Learner: 10% in total experience points
* Thief: With each rank of Thief Perk you gain an immediate 5 point bonus to sneak and lock-pick</blockquote>IGN subsidiary GameSpy has another article about the same thing, from where, besides the info that the reporter actually did get hit by the sniper, I'll only quote this funny part:<blockquote>Called The Enclave, the new government is ruled by President John Henry Eden (voiced by Malcolm McDowell) and its laws are enforced by the powerful Brotherhood of Steel. The metal-clad badasses have taken over the Pentagon and are alerted to your presence by eyebots that should be avoided at all costs. Unfortunately, our time with Fallout 3 came to an end when a Brotherhood of Steel helicopter dropped off a group of troops right in front of us.</blockquote>Thanks to Sergei.
