As someone who has played both original Fallout titles and was obsessed with Oblivion to a point that screamed intervention, I knew chances were I would love this release.   I'm happy to report that indeed I do.  

 Real time, turn based, huh?

As you've most likely read in real reviews by now, Fallout 3 is and isn't a shooter all at once.  At first I was trying to just shoot everything while holding in LT to aim.  Granted I did hit a bunch of targets but by the time I would land a few shots on them, they would rush and be right in my face.  Seeing that my character is weaker (high intelligence) and has low melee strength (high agility) standing here taking sledgehammers to the head in real time wasn't going to get me very far.  So time to turn on V.A.T.S.  - Freakin sweet!  

 As mentioned, I played the original PC Fallout's and one of my main concerns going into 3 was how they would handle the targeting system.  This system was one of the stand out features of the originals and getting this right would make or break the transition in my eyes.  In the original, the game ran in real time until you encountered an enemy or manually turned on the targeting.  In 3 though, its real time UNTIL you turn on V.A.T.S.  So enemies can very well sneak up on you.  Much more realistic if not nerve-wracking.  

The V.A.T.S. system is gamer gravy.  You've seen the videos so you know what I'm talking about,  the experience is very rewarding.   Dropping multiple enemies as limbs and skulls fly in opposite directions, while gruesome, is exactly what you want to see happen in this forsaken world the game is set in.  War never changes.  

 There are some dissapointments so far.  Few but some.  

I wish there was a cover system.  Instead its pop your head out, get shot, activate V.A.T.S. take your shots, move back behind something, wait for your AP to build, wash, rinse, repeat.  Giving me to ability to stick to cover ala GoW would have worked very well in this system.  It practically screams for this to be implemented.  

The map is rather small and its hard to scroll through it while keeping your bearings on where locations, including your own, are.  

There is a very Oblivion like feel when you are in towns.  The sparkle in the eyes of the characters, the way they wake up out of bed, move, etc are where you see how much this game was built upon Oblivion.  This isn't necessarily a bad thing but its discouraging.  The game is so immersive, this reminder of another world breaks that a little.  

There is definitely more to say but I haven't the time or words to use to do so.  I highly recommend this game for any RPG junkie, while FPS freaks may want to look elsewhere or give it a rent.  If you loved the original PC series you may be thrown off by what you find but don't be so shallow.  If you allow yourself to experience what is offered as opposed to what you wished for, you will find a worthy succesor to great franchise and a very well developed immersive game by any standard.  

Written by :

Bigpapirick

 

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