Fallout: New Vegas

Fallout: New Vegas was one of the most hotly anticipated releases of 2010 and has gained quite a following due to the commercial success of the cult-hit mainstream title, Fallout 3. Obsidian Entertainment, the developers of Fallout: New Vegas have received scrutiny for their latest production.

Many reviewers have reported that Fallout: New Vegas, ‘does not live up to the hype’, or, ‘too many technical issues to bother with’. However, it is clearly evident that these are premature judgements on a misunderstood title that offers so much to those willing to embrace the ride through the monstrosity of the notorious world of New Vegas.

Fallout New Vegas is set in 2280, three years after the events of Fallout 3 and although the world is still barely recovering from the nuclear holocaust of 2077, the state of Nevada seems to be making significant progress in restoring the balance of the Old World. Being an area scarcely affected by the bombs themselves, New Vegas only suffers from radiation leaks and the aftermath of the Great War.

The player is coined with the title ‘The Courier’ as you work for a delivery service running over the Mojave Desert. Your current assignment to deliver a special package to the New Vegas strip is abruptly foiled by a mysterious character that leaves you for dead after stealing your package. After being rescued by a questionable robot and rehabilitated by a doctor from the local town, the story unfolds with the player seeking revenge on the man who crossed you.

 The area of New Vegas is under the influence of the New California Republic (NCR) and function much like the existing United Nations. Unlike the Brotherhood of Steel (from the previous Fallout), the NCR are a lot more unglorified, however realistic about their intentions and to not seem as ‘religiously’ linked to their faction.

Opposing the NCR is Caesar’s Legion, a seemingly unstoppable force of slaves and slavers attempting to drive out all other factions controlling New Vegas and reap the rewards under a tyrannical flag. Paying particular attention to the power of Hoover Dam and the influence of capturing the Vegas strip, Caesar’s Legion is an ever-growing presence looming over the wasteland.

As the player progresses through the wasteland, many other factions will be introduced to you. What makes this game so unique is the way the game allows the player to interact with these factions. Whether you help them for the greater good or for your own purposes, disguise yourself as one or splatter their blood along the sand. The choice is up to you and ultimately affects the outcome of the game.   This system of reputation is controlled very effectively and defines your character in the Wasteland.

The only negative effects of this new system are that it is impossible to please all factions, ultimately making some quests inaccessible. More of a minor frustration rather than a severe problem, keeping all factions happy just isn’t possible. Also, faction armour is presented quite poorly at the beginning, with lower faction infantry looking visually boring. However this is greatly improved in later stages.

Game play in Fallout: New Vegas has been significantly altered from previous titles. The first improvement is the addition of ‘iron sights’, allowing for much greater aim with weapons and permits a ‘run and gun’ attitude towards combat. This opens the market up for players more accustomed to titles such as ‘Call of Duty’ or ‘Medal of Honour’.

The ability to modify weapons is a nifty addition as well, allowing for infinite possibilities with weapons. Want a laser rifle with a scope, laser sight and redirected firing beams that multiply damage? How about Marksmen rifle that can hurl grenades that combust on impact? Now you can!

Keeping in mind this is still a role-playing game at heart, the ability to talk to anyone and divulge in conversation as well as spend countless hours marauding abandoned buildings is still much a part of the game-play.

Our favourite targeting system is back as well. V.A.T.S (Vault Automated Targeting System) has not been so much improved, merely tweaked and allows for bonus damage (melee weapons have special moves). However a new feature, the Kill Cam has been added that shows a glorified vision of your target being obliterated while in standard combat.

If you thought the amount of items and gear in fallout 3 was over bearing, then Fallout: New Vegas will blow you away. With over double the amount of weapons, armour and items than Fallout 3, along with weapon modifications, faction armour and crafting, the sheer numbers of collectable loot is astounding.

What is also notable is the addition of a new game mode. Labelled ‘Hardcore’ mode, this option greatly increases the realism of the harsh post apocalyptic world. With Hardcore mode on, the player will need to eat and drink and maintain a regular sleeping pattern. Fast travel is not permitted if the distance will deplete your necessities and ammunition now contributes to your weight. Although awfully punishing, Hardcore mode enables the player to fully engage in the experience (as well as unlocking a 100 point achievement) and immerse themselves in the harshness of the Wasteland.

Overall game-play is done terrifically in Fallout: New Vegas and opens up a plethora of possibilities and expands so much upon what Fallout 3 lacked. The game can be sceptical when it comes to dealing with crafting and modifications, however given time it becomes second nature.

The graphics in Fallout: New Vegas perform much to the standard of Fallout 3. Improved textures can be noted on creatures and facial features and expressions. Terrain remains much the same, however still looks beautiful when looking out onto the sprawling Mojave Desert or craning your neck down along the New Vegas Strip.

 Upon first seeing the world map, it may appear to be small, however once fully exploring it, it seems to expand upon itself and the larger building can take hours to haul all the loot from. Some issues with texture lag, frame rates and freezing have occurred, however Obsidian Entertainment have been releasing patches to relieve the situation.  

Overall the graphics are still easily passable and the few minor setbacks in technical issues do not pull away from the entire experience.

In conclusion, Fallout: New Vegas in its entirety is an amazing experience and offers many of those moments that will make you clench your controller with sweaty palms as you finalise speech checks with army officials, and throw your hands up wildly as you send a hoard of Ghouls into space.

Even though Fallout: New Vegas is not recognised as the next full sequel in the Fallout series, but more of a spin off. However do not think this is a light hearted attempt. Fallout: New Vegas is bigger and better than Fallout 3 and offers a completely new atmosphere. With outstanding presentation, an overhaul of new ideas and an overall feel of post apocalyptic mayhem, Fallout: New Vegas certainly lives up to them expectations of all Fallout fanatics.