Fallout 3 Review

Post-apocalyptic games are becoming more and more common, but the Fallout series has always been a step above with its combination of retro styling, devastated landscapes, and a complete and realistic post-apocalyptic world. Fallout 3 continues this trend, but moves to a brand new engine, as well as a new perspective. Despite the changes to the series, is it still a groundbreaking phenomenal game? The answer, of course, is yes.

The single greatest quality that Fallout 3 achieves so perfectly is the atmosphere. The eerily futuristic world in which civilization has been destroyed is remarkably spot on. The land is devoid of life, the urban landscape are abandoned and dark, and the countryside is desolate and war-torn. The entire world is so realistic, and looks so amazing graphically, that it’s hard not to get lost in it.

The gameplay is strong, drawing certain elements from Fallout, but also adding and improving on those ideas. The change of perspective in this next generation Fallout proves to be successful, and draws you even further into the world. Exploration, leveling up, character interaction, questing, and other discoveries are all compelling and fun, making the game one entertaining piece after the next.

Combat, the cornerstone of this game, is fast, violent, and fun. It’s definitely a huge step over Oblivion, which combat felt a bit drab and dull in. Instead, you’re greeted with over-the-top visuals, guns that pack a serious punch, and just crazy mayhem all around. Whether you’re blasting a Super Mutant’s head off with a sniper rifle, planting a series of mines that’ll explode the legs off your pursuers, or pulling out a flamethrower to clear an entire room of enemies in a painful, flame-filled death. it’s all so much fun. Especially in VATs, where your gruesome kills are glorified via slow motion camera, radial blurs, and the perfect angles of the camera.

The problem with Fallout 3 is eventually the newness of the game wares off. While the atmosphere, the landscape, the gameplay, and the combat all keep you entertained at first, it loses steam after about 20 hours into it. The game’s pace isn’t as fast, and in fact is can become drearily slow sometimes as you wander around the environment. You begin to feel repetition and dullness wear in. and suddenly this new, great game isn’t getting played anymore. Who wants to invest an hour or two just to wander around a devastated landscape, when you feel you’ve already “been there, done that.”

It may seem like a minor complaint, after all, the first 20 hours were really great. Hell, those 20 hours were groundbreaking and memorable. But after you’ve used the weapons, killed 100s of enemies, and seen dozens of fragmented structures, you stop experiencing anything new or fresh. And while those 20 hours may seem like a long time, a good bargain for the $50 PC game, I really wish I could have enjoyed it longer. I feel like I should be enjoying it more. but I find myself not looking forward to delve back into the world as much as I used to, and this disappoints me.

This game is top tier in every regard, though. From graphics to sound to gameplay to controls to combat to atmosphere. it is all excellent. Fallout 3 deserves many of the Game of the Year awards it has received. Sadly, for me, it lacked replay value. but it also lacked a little heart. Sometimes the entire world seemed too lifeless, too dull, too drab.

Even with a few complaints, is it still a good game? Hell yes. It’s a great game. It’s an amazing game. It’s a truly revolutionary game.

[rating:8.7/10] 87%