Review: Fallout 3 (360/PS3)

[PIP BOY MESSAGE ALERT: In honor of the upcoming “Fallout: New Vegas” we figured why not re-review Fallout 3. Make sure you check back soon for our forth coming review of 'New Vegas.'] 

First off, I must say 'good job' Bethesda, you have done it again! If you’re a big fan of Elder Scrolls games such as Morrowind or Oblivion you will love this game. The game takes place in a post-apocalyptic Washington DC, but still set in a strange yet humorous pseudo 1950s world. You start the game off as a child being born, literally. Getting to choose your gender, ethnicity,  and name. Then starting the game off as a toddler you grow into an adult making choices that will determine what your strengths and weakness are at the beginning of your vault-dweller life. Due to circumstances out of your control, you eventually leave the vault which you have known your whole life for a world that your character has only heard about.

Once you leave the vault you are greeted by a bright sun that blinds you for a brief moment, and then your real adventure starts! The game can lead you down several paths, some good some bad, but ultimately you make the choice, as the main storyline can be beaten numerous ways. There are around 70 side missions in the game and the 5 expansions add an additional 30+ new missions. This game definitely delivers some bang for your buck!

The control style is pretty standard to a Bethesda type game, with a first person to third person type change taking place on the fly. As you level up you receive different types of perks that change your players attributes, from hacking a computer terminal, to how accurately you can shoot a gun, or how skillful you are at bartering for supplies. The Vault-Tec Assisted Targeting System (V.A.T.S.) allows you to stop time and target specific body parts, in the traditional turn-based style of the original Fallout. It's a fun system and works well with the severed limbs and decapitations served up in slow-mo guts and glory.

No matter what console you own, you should definitely play Fallout 3, which overcomes its issues by offering a deep and involving journey through a world that you will not soon forget. It has more in common with Bethesda's Elder Scrolls series than with previous Fallout games, but that is by no means a bad thing. Whether you're new to the universe or a Fallout devotee, untold hours of addictive game play are waiting.

Submitted By: Michael Aquirre (Employee)