Fallout 3

[Widgetcraft]

I am aware that there is a thread for Fallout 3 in the Console Gaming section, however it's not just a console game, and that thread devolved into an argument over it's placement there. So, new thread: What's the consensus on this thing? I'm waiting on my copy to arrive, should be within the next two hours.

[TheEvilNarwhale]

Personally I am trying pretty hard not to ride my bike up to gamestop and buy it. Too many games this month :(

[Ancalagon]

I'm definitely getting it for PC, the only question is whether to make it arrive on Friday or Saturday. I'll be running the Amazon UK lottery, but I've had good luck with it in the past. I think Saturday will be the day for me because I'm seeing Quantum of Solace on Friday straight after work.

[Goronmon]

Probably grab it off Steam tonight or tomorrow. Which will put my "Currently Playing" list at WoW, WAR, Far Cry 2, Fable 2 and Fallout 3.

Weird that all three of the non-MMOs start with 'F'. That will change once Left 4 Dead is released though.

[Ancalagon]

Weird that all three of the non-MMOs start with 'F'. That will change once Left 4 Dead is released though.

I'm going to petition Valve to change it to Fend Off The Dead.

[Knightsaber]

I am installing it right this minute woo. Amazon actually lived up to release date delivery.

Um, so far the install screens look cool? The manual is nice...that's all I got for now :)

[maybeme]

Damn payday isn't until Friday . . .

[hunterx280]

I was pissed when I found out that the download off Steam wouldn't start until 10AM PDT. Fortunately, my roommate started it up for me while I'm at work. Should be done when I get home tonight around 9PM PDT.

[crazyD]

Anyone get the PIP Boy clock? If so, how nice is it?

[pomeroy]

I'm definitely getting it for PC, the only question is whether to make it arrive on Friday or Saturday. I'll be running the Amazon UK lottery, but I've had good luck with it in the past. I think Saturday will be the day for me because I'm seeing Quantum of Solace on Friday straight after work.

I think it sucks you get that movie two weeks before we do.

[Karak]

Well right now I am not a fan. I have played about 6 hours. I beleive for me its the graphics that turn me off. Crisp and clean as they are, everything...is brown...or shades of brown...oh and maybe a bit of gray.
I want to like it but I am having a hard time.

[Ancalagon]

I think it sucks you get that movie two weeks before we do.

yeah, but every single game, I mean every single game, not just most, is delayed anywhere from a week to a month.

[pomeroy]

yeah, but every single game, I mean every single game, not just most, is delayed anywhere from a week to a month.

To be honest, if we had it this weekend I'm not sure when I'd see it. It's Halloween, bitch! And I'm sure that by the end of the week my resolve will have failed and I will own Fable or Fallout, so that'll keep me busy.

[cppcrusader]

Anyone get the PIP Boy clock? If so, how nice is it?

I got it, unfortunately I apparently have Popeye forearms and can't wear it. The display base is a little wonky. The clock's weight is all on one side so it took a moment to get it to sit right on the stand.

Still, its the coolest bonus I've gotten since the Big Daddy.

[J Arcane]

I think it sucks you get that movie two weeks before we do.
It's tradition. The Bond series technically started out as UK produced films, so they always come out in the UK first.

[Widgetcraft]

Well, I've got my copy, installing now. Have my bobble head and lunch box sitting on top of my desk :)

[Lance Uppercut]

Picked up my PC copy today, but I've yet to install it. It's a damn nice box though.

[Ancalagon]

To be honest, if we had it this weekend I'm not sure when I'd see it. It's Halloween, bitch! And I'm sure that by the end of the week my resolve will have failed and I will own Fable or Fallout, so that'll keep me busy.

Yeah, I would usually postpone the viewing, but it just so happens that the person who was organizing the party that I was going to cancelled because of a lack of interest, so she and I are going to movies together. It helps that shes really cute too.

EDIT: That still leaves me with the whole weekend to play Fallout 3.

[iHap]

UGH! My copy still hasn't arrive. Least it's coming from UPS, and not FedEx.

[pomeroy]

I'm really, really wanting to get this. I have to wait until a receipt is sent to me so that I can return a birthday gift from my sister (Why I would want the second season of a show I don't watch for my birthday I'll never know) and then apply that towards Fallout. Or Fable.

Fuck.

[Widgetcraft]

The Live integration in the PC version is amazingly elegant. Kudos to Microsoft on that one. I can access all of the features I would be able to access on the 360 (friends list, messages, private chat, achievements... etc), get all the achievements that the 360 users will get, and over all just have the perfect Fallout 3 experience.

I'm just about to leave the tutorial area, and took a break for dinner. Thus far, I'm really enjoying the game. The VATS system works really well. I love the PIP-Boy, it's very well done; I especially like the radio. The most trouble I've had thus far is that the character customization screen was handled badly, and made it difficult to see your face/hair.

I'm playing my first time through as a smart/social/agile character.

[Variable Gear]

Disclaimer: I've never played a Fallout game before and I'm playing the 360 version.

I love this game so far. The tutorial fits in stylishly with the rest of the world, and it is simultaneously informative and entertaining. The Vault is a fun starting spot, and I've just set foot in the Capital Wasteland and chosen my first perk. After deciding on my first perk, I took a look at the manual and predicted the best perk progression. We'll see how well this prophecy turns out, but I must mention how well designed everything has been. From the lunchbox that came with my CE, to the "Vault Dwellers Survival Guide Pocket Edition" excerpts that fill out the manual, to the awesome Vault Boy images that highlight everything from Skills to Perks, there's little about this game or its packaging that isn't visually arresting. I can't wait to explore further. ;)
I am aware that there is a thread for Fallout 3 in the Console Gaming section, however it's not just a console game, and that thread devolved into an argument over it's placement there. So, new thread: What's the consensus on this thing? I'm waiting on my copy to arrive, should be within the next two hours.
I hope that other thread burns to the ground. I'll be discussing things here with you guys. :)

[Murtaug]

I came into Fallout 1 & 2 late in the game, maybe early 2001? Regardless, they hooked me, and so far Fallout 3 is living up to the previous games. I never got much into Tactics, though I did play Brotherhood of Steel on PS2 (and liked it, for what it was, Dark Alliance style co-op game.. flame suit on!).

I have no idea how much time I have into the game, a few hours I would guess. I am pretty methodically going through stuff. I did a bit in Megaton and headed out into the Wasteland to explore a bit. VATS is good, better than I expected, though I find myself ducking and hiding while AP refills as real time combat kind of sucks. I have shitty weapons and equipment, so I guess that is to be expected.

I love it. I can't wait until the weekend so I can just completely lose myself in the game.

[J Arcane]

VATS is good, better than I expected, though I find myself ducking and hiding while AP refills as real time combat kind of sucks.

The reviews I've read gave me the impression that was deliberate, to try and instill some tension and challenge to the combat, and perhaps to give it more of a turn-based-meets-real-time feel kinda like older Bioware games' real-time-plus-pause.

[Variable Gear]

The reviews I've read gave me the impression that was deliberate, to try and instill some tension and challenge to the combat, and perhaps to give it more of a turn-based-meets-real-time feel kinda like older Bioware games' real-time-plus-pause.
I view VATS as the punctuation at the end of a well-fought battle. It's awesome to string headshots together in VATS and watch your enemies heads pop off. However, based on at least one of the perks, I'm worried that VATS will become quite unbalanced by the end of the game. We'll see about that.

[JayK47]

Oh man, the reviewers are loving this game. Thank God! The ONE game I was really looking forward to is a good game. Whew. In light of the reviews, I went ahead and ordered the Collectors Edition from Amazon. They have 1 day shipping for $10 which is cheap compared to other sites. Normally I stay away from collector editions. I think the last one I purchased was for Oblivion. Bethesda makes it worth it and I really like their games. They deserve a couple extra bucks for their effort. And picking this up for PC ensures years of replay due to community mods. Hell, I'm playing through Oblivion right now with some mods. I just hope Fallout 3 looks and runs great on my PC.

[DeathtollWRX]

Xbox Live Integration?

I'm getting this on PC!

[axion]

Game is installing as we speak... excitement building (in pants).

[Kelegacy]

Remember, if you haven't bought it yet Circuit City (and maybe other stores) are giving away a $10 gift card and a mini strategy guide with purchase.

I like the deals stores give for new games. Many titles come with that giftcard, which makes sense since I still don't think games should be $60, even after 3 years of it.

Might pick up the game this week. Would have tonight, but I got sidetracked. It is my most anticipated game of the year, though for some reason I'm not chomping at the bit to play it now. I must be going crazy.

That or I've gamed too much in the past month or so and am starting to overdose.

[crazyD]

Many titles come with that giftcard, which makes sense since I still don't think games should be $60, even after 3 years of it.

Pick it up on PC, and it won't be.

[Kelegacy]

Pick it up on PC, and it won't be.

If I had a good PC, I would. But I don't. So I'm exclusively 360.

The day is coming when I'll need to upgrade. I've been running the same PC since early January 2004. My first big purchase after getting a post-college job. The only thing I've added to it is secondary HDD.

Still not a bad PC by any means, just aging, just needs more RAM and a better graphics card. Processor is still a 3.0ghz Pentium 4 HT. Problem is, that stuff costs money. Now that I have twins on the way, I can't really rationalize it.

By twins, I mean hookers. Gotta go, door bell's ringin'.

[crazyD]

Damnit. I would have bet that "twins" would be a reference to your balls.

[johnperkins21]

Damnit. I would have bet that "twins" would be a reference to your balls.

Why's that? Wouldn't it be triplets? I mean who only has two balls? Seriously dude.

[Variable Gear]

Just to clarify (http://www.colonyofgamers.com/cogforums/showthread.php?p=47640#post47640), I don't plan on getting the Nerd Rage perk. :)

[diablopath]

I'm really enjoying it.
I don't like scavenging for ammo, but that's something I guess I can deal with.
I'm in love with the VATS. I haven't really had a chance to do too much with it, but I really do look forward to picking up a sniper rifle and see what I can accomplish with that.

I haven't really read into perks or anything, so I guess I'll do that in my weeks absence.

The world is nice. I enjoy walking around in it. I do wish it had more shit in it, though. And I also wish some of those buildings had entrances and whatnot so I could dick around inside, but that's probably an illogical wish. It's dark and it's gray. It's gray because it's the result of fucking nuclear war. About what I expected, and I'm pleaed with it.

Some unicorns and rainbows couldn't hurt, though.

[J Arcane]

Some unicorns and rainbows couldn't hurt, though.

Diablo III'll be along eventually.

[Hyperglide]

Picked up the special edition today and it was worth it. I was impressed with the quality of the Hardcover artbook the bobble head the lunch box and the making of DVD.

As for the game itself wow this is an amazing game. It certainly does have an Oblivion 'feel' to it but the shooting still feels decent if not for a bit of clunkiness.

I still can't figure out this hacking skill. It's just to damn confusing, thank god I can just cancel after 3 attempts and keep trying again. Cheap I know but it works. Also lock picking is a LOT more enjoyable in this game and feels more tactile and interactive than the boring lock picking in Oblivion.

[National Kato]

I'm playing on the Hard setting and finding enough ammo for my gun is getting extremely difficult. Add to that the issue of staying healthy and...well, it's hard.

[Lance Uppercut]

Healthy sign that Fallout 3 is gonna do really, really well: I tried to pick this game up at the Gamestop that I'll frequent for games, and they told me they had sold out of the PC version at 2 in the afternoon. They had a lot of copies too. This never happens for a PC game in my town.

I found a copy after visiting the other Gamestop in my town, and they report brisk sales for both the 360 and PC versions.

[Deadend]

I am enjoying it on PC, but I need to get a 360 controller to play it, as I think the lock picking game would be easier on it.

But wow, the game just sucks me in, Oblivion could never do this as it had such a boring world.

[The Doctor]

I'm promising myself I'll play through this one the "right" way. No reloading if dialogue doesn't work out the way I planned, no peeking to find out the best way to get through stuff, etc.

[biosc1]

Healthy sign that Fallout 3 is gonna do really, really well: I tried to pick this game up at the Gamestop that I'll frequent for games, and they told me they had sold out of the PC version at 2 in the afternoon. They had a lot of copies too. This never happens for a PC game in my town.

I found a copy after visiting the other Gamestop in my town, and they report brisk sales for both the 360 and PC versions.

Same here...went to the local EB/Gamestop and the manager actually mentioned he was surprised at the lack of copies that they were shipped today...so they were sold out already. Oh well, Future Shop still had a few copies, so I'm installing it now ;)

[squirrelTactics]

I am enjoying it on PC, but I need to get a 360 controller to play it, as I think the lock picking game would be easier on it.

Really? I found it to be quite intuitive. It's hacking those damn terminals that gets me, I'll have to start using that "quit after 3 tries" glitch.

[J Arcane]

Really? I found it to be quite intuitive. It's hacking those damn terminals that gets me, I'll have to start using that "quit after 3 tries" glitch.
It's not a glitch. It actually recommends doing that in the manual.

[Deadend]

I'm promising myself I'll play through this one the "right" way. No reloading if dialogue doesn't work out the way I planned, no peeking to find out the best way to get through stuff, etc.

That is the way to play games. Loading savegames to get the best stuff is being a weenie.

[OrangePulp]

So far I'm really enjoying it. There are a few annoyances, to be sure. As an example, locking science/lockpicking into tiers; The way they have it set up, it doesn't really matter what your skill is, only if it's above 25, 50, 75, or 100. I don't care for that too much. However, there are some other things they did that feel just like Fallout, like getting a random perk from completing a quest a specific way.


When doing the radiation part of the wasteland survival guide quest, if you do the optional 600 radiation, as opposed to 200, you get a bonus perk that will automatically heal crippled limbs when you're at 600 rads or more. Nothing super amazing, but it's nice to get something different as a reward. Reminds me of perks like gecko skinning, and expert excrement expeditor in Fallout 2.


Vats is a lot of fun. I've pretty much been using it exclusively to kill guys, as it feels more like the kind of game I want it to be. I was disappointed how little you get out of agility, though; each point of agility only gives you 2 action points, and you have a base of 65. I think stats overall aren't as useful, as they were in Fallout/2.

[Ancalagon]

Healthy sign that Fallout 3 is gonna do really, really well: I tried to pick this game up at the Gamestop that I'll frequent for games, and they told me they had sold out of the PC version at 2 in the afternoon. They had a lot of copies too. This never happens for a PC game in my town.

I found a copy after visiting the other Gamestop in my town, and they report brisk sales for both the 360 and PC versions.

DRM! Piracy! Its going to get raped! RAPED! How could they let an innocent game like this be released with no DRM I tell you? Its over for them.

[crazyD]

Healthy sign that Fallout 3 is gonna do really, really well: I tried to pick this game up at the Gamestop that I'll frequent for games, and they told me they had sold out of the PC version at 2 in the afternoon. They had a lot of copies too. This never happens for a PC game in my town.

I found a copy after visiting the other Gamestop in my town, and they report brisk sales for both the 360 and PC versions.

Eh, Gamestops rarely stock much more then the preorder numbers for new games at launch.

[Kelegacy]

Hmm, wonder if I can talk the girlfriend into swinging by the store after work to grab a copy. Right now I'm playing Silent Hill Homecoming though and I know if I picked up F3 I probably wouldn't play any other titles for a month or two.

Having Gamefly doesn't help much because I keep getting new games to play.

[Tayaya]

I am enjoying my time with Fallout 3 so far, but to be honest I keep finding myself wanting to go back and play FarCry 2. That game's just addictive. Bethesda did a bang-up job creating a beautiful wasteland, and the game really does feel like Oblivion in a different setting with a less clunky UI. I know they wanted people to avoid that comparison but it's impossible since that's what the game feels like.

My big problem, though, is that after playing FarCry 2 all day, this game really suffers from that "steering a camera around" feeling. FarCry 2 really puts you "in the character" more than just about any other game I've played in recent memory. It's subtle about it in some ways, but once you're not playing it and instead are playing another FPS, you really notice it missing.

Still, Fallout is great so far, even though I've only done the first 3 or 4 quests once leaving the vault, and I have a good feeling that once the main quest gets rolling it'll get even better.

[TrackZero]

Got in about 9 hours of the game yesterday. It's just great. ;) The pacing feels right, the difficultly (I left it on the default of hard) is just the right amount. I even go through the familiar ups and downs of Fallout with regards to equipment and ammo (flat broke, running out of ammo, then manage to push through a quest/area and find tons of loot to upgrade and sell). I totally dig the repair mechanic, and the Pipboy interface works great.

[cppcrusader]

I'm promising myself I'll play through this one the "right" way. No reloading if dialogue doesn't work out the way I planned, no peeking to find out the best way to get through stuff, etc.

I'm planning to do the same, outside of crashes of course. So far making that choice has forced me into a couple of sticky situations.

I had two crashes last night. One was a CTD and the second locked up the machine hardcore. Just as I was killing the power the BSOD popped up. Still, the little bit I've been able to play so far is great stuff. I had forgotten how long it takes to get through a Bethesda character creator though.

[TrackZero]

Really? I found it to be quite intuitive. It's hacking those damn terminals that gets me, I'll have to start using that "quit after 3 tries" glitch.

Ugh. I even wondered if that would work. I swear I got stuck on a terminal with no answer at one point and locked it up. Though I'm always bad at the letter matching stuff.

[Gerbs]

This game is awesome. The VATS system works great, but I want more AP. I played on normal am I a vagina?

[Ten19]

Fired it up for the first time last night (on PC through Steam).

The "tutorial" section was brilliant, I thought. Couldn't help but grin at a few parts. I basically made it out to the first city before calling it a night (after lots of poking around) and I must say so far I'm very pleased with my purchase.

A few nagging bits, though. First, I can see a few reasons as to the "Oblivion with Guns" mantra, as there are quite a few examples that this is the same engine as Oblivion. This becomes evident when picking an item up from a table, for example, and every other item around it sort of pops up a few inches. Also, a few of the voice actors sound -awfully- familiar, and the expressions and animations are very similar as well.

These parallels aren't a bad thing, I just found myself slightly slipping out of immersion as I experienced very familiar elements (I played a lot of Oblivion).

Lastly, I tried both a 360 controller and the QWERTY for control and found both to work very well. Though when using QWERTY, you can't remap what key dismisses the Pip-Boy, which is seemingly forever stuck on TAB. Kind of annoying when I generally remap things to be centered around the arrow keys and not WASD. C'est la vie. Oh and the Live implementation was awesome and painless to setup/use.

I'm sure I'll get over that, otherwise the experience is fantastic, the UI is slick as hell and it's a lot of fun to play.

[National Kato]

I'm promising myself I'll play through this one the "right" way. No reloading if dialogue doesn't work out the way I planned, no peeking to find out the best way to get through stuff, etc.

Same here. I was quite shocked last night to see that a decision I made resulted in an NPC I'd just met - and assumed would play a major role in the story - getting shot down in cold blood. :eek:

Of course, I stole all the gear from his corpse, but hey - that's the Wasteland folks.

[Virtual Machine]

Same here. I was quite shocked last night to see that a decision I made resulted in an NPC I'd just met - and assumed would play a major role in the story - getting shot down in cold blood. :eek:

Of course, I stole all the gear from his corpse, but hey - that's the Wasteland folks.

If it's the same part of the game i'm thinking of, i got a really bitching pair of sunglasses from the guy who shot the other guy down when i in turn scragged his sorry ass.

[crazyD]

I'm not that impressed. I thought the intro was clever, but the game plays like Oblivion. Same hideous people with terrible voice work (with the exception of Liam Neeson, who I feel did an excellent job), same floaty controls. I'm sticking with it, but I just wish it was it's own game.

[DeathtollWRX]

This is my personal "Best RPG of all time" I was going to get the 360 version then I found out that the PC version supports Live!

at 1680x1050 Ultra settings everything runs flawlessly and the only decent part in my computer is my Radeon 4850 (2gb ram, old school Velocity Micro A30)

The sequence of choosing your character settings is the best I have seen in a video game.

Bethesda managed to capture the feel of the original Fallout while adding everything that we have come to expect from a AAA RPG.

[roboninja]

Glad most experiences are good. My PC version should be arriving any day now.

[Cyrillus]

Gamefly sent this out to me yesterday...hopefully I can successfully swap out my broken DVD drive from my 360 and play it this weekend :(

[biosc1]

This is my personal "Best RPG of all time" I was going to get the 360 version then I found out that the PC version supports Live!

at 1680x1050 Ultra settings everything runs flawlessly and the only decent part in my computer is my Radeon 4850 (2gb ram, old school Velocity Micro A30)

This game does run well :) I have tomorrow night set aside to really delve into this game...even if that coincides with the TF2 nights...perhaps I'll alt-tab between the two...

Just started a little bit last night before I ran out of time (had to get up early this morning). Really enjoying the opening even though it was a little "odd" and got my first achievement ;)

[MachEnergy]

SPOILER unless you've left the Vault:
So I let the Overseer live. I figured his daughter (Amatta? Can't recall...) wouldn't have wanted me to kill him. I'm curious if anyone killed him....or if maybe you can't even try. She seemed happy to return to try and talk sense into him.

[Iron Past]

It's good, I think. As a strait shooter, it feels... wierd. But luckily it's not a strait shooter. I see Bethesda still can't make the third person view feel less awkward, though. I also think the tutorials and setting up your character were very clever.

One more thing:

Burn, Megaton, burrrrrrrrnn!

Mwahahaha!

[Ten19]

SPOILER unless you've left the Vault:
I shot him and the other guy in the head when they were interrogating Amata. I didn't realize who he was until afterwards, and she was pretty pissed, but it made getting his key and stuff pretty easy. Just before I walked out she said she might forgive me someday.

[Schnoogs]

This game is pretty sweet so far...I was blown away when I exited the vault...now that's a fucking gaming world!!!

[Squidbot]

One more thing:

Burn, Megaton, burrrrrrrrnn!

Mwahahaha!

Go back there, there's a pretty amusing encounter afterwards.

[Widgetcraft]

Took a couple of screenshots of my character:

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3275/2983663783_178396de3a.jpg (http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3275/2983663783_de20e67cac_o.jpg)

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3060/2984510316_37c33650fa.jpg (http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3060/2984510316_8e422f4225_o.jpg)

In the second you can see the backlight on my PIP-Boy lit up; this is the closest thing to a flashlight that I've found (hold down TAB to light it up).

[Squidbot]

I wasn't sure about buying this title, after having played a lot of it at work, but knowing that the PC version ties with your Live account, and you can use the 360 controller on PC, has swung me to give in and get it to play it all the way through.

[Philonious]

...knowing that the PC version ties with your Live account, and you can use the 360 controller on PC, has swung me to give in and get it to play it all the way through.

Aw, really!? Damn. Well I intended on picking up the PC version eventually, but went 360 for the couch/HDTV combo for my first pass. Fond memories of Bioshock/Mass Effect and Achievements (stupidly) swayed me, but PC controller support and Achievements mean I could have done things on the big screen, with the shinier PC graphics. Live and learn. (Does this apply to the Steam version?)

Sort of unrelated, but I think that all developers need to look at Mass Effect for inspiration on how to do conversations. Even if they don't include protagonist speech (which they probably could), characters in Mass Effect felt MUCH more alive. Also, prettier. Otherwise it is great and feels awfully Fallout-y.

[Squidbot]

Yeah, apprently it does apply to the Steam version. My Steam account will be increasing in value.

[Cpl_Punnishment]

I shot him and the other guy in the head when they were interrogating Amata. I didn't realize who he was until afterwards, and she was pretty pissed, but it made getting his key and stuff pretty easy. Just before I walked out she said she might forgive me someday.


I did the same thing and now I'm wondering if it will limit something or some interaction in the future.

Also:
apparently I was slow on the draw and didn't get to Butch's mom in time and she bit it. probably screwed myself here too :(

[cppcrusader]

I shot him and the other guy in the head when they were interrogating Amata. I didn't realize who he was until afterwards, and she was pretty pissed, but it made getting his key and stuff pretty easy. Just before I walked out she said she might forgive me someday.


I killed them both also, only I beat him to death with a baseball bat. I wasn't intending to kill him. I was sneaking and picked his pocket while they interrogated Amata. Then I figured I'd give them each a hit so Amata could get away. Turns out my character is pretty mean with that bat, that guard went down like a chump with one blow to the back of the head. The Overseer cornered me after I made wrong a turn on my dash to his office and I was forced to deal with him. I got the same spiel from Amata before being chased out the door by the guards.

[Tayaya]

Took a couple of screenshots of my character:

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3275/2983663783_178396de3a.jpg (http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3275/2983663783_de20e67cac_o.jpg)

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3060/2984510316_37c33650fa.jpg (http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3060/2984510316_8e422f4225_o.jpg)

In the second you can see the backlight on my PIP-Boy lit up; this is the closest thing to a flashlight that I've found (hold down TAB to light it up).

WOW. The PC version of this absolutely stunning to look at. Those are some nice textures indeed.

[Squidbot]

I did the same thing and now I'm wondering if it will limit something or some interaction in the future.

Also:
apparently I was slow on the draw and didn't get to Butch's mom in time and she bit it. probably screwed myself here too :(

I love how Butch's Mom is a total booze hound

[Hotcod]

damn you all, damn you!

This game will unlock in approximately 2 days and 0 hours


*crawls back under desk and hugs his knees*

[MachEnergy]

I did the same thing and now I'm wondering if it will limit something or some interaction in the future.

Also:
apparently I was slow on the draw and didn't get to Butch's mom in time and she bit it. probably screwed myself here too :(

I managed to get there in time, but...
For some reason, I didn't use VATS and while frantically whacking the roaches with my bat, I must have hit her too. So she ran out of the room screaming that I was going to murder her. So much for being helpful.



Also, regarding Megaton:
Jericho told me that Moriarty sleeps with a box of cash next to his bed and the key around his neck. I'm playing a mostly good character, but I am pissed that he wants 300 caps for information on my father. I figure that if I were to steal the money from him to pay for the information, we'd be even. Well when I followed him to bed, I was discovered while pickpocketing the key. I booked it for the door, and everyone in Megaton was firing at me and giving chase. So I don't think I can ever go back there now. My mistake for messing with the corrupt guy that "runs" the town.

[Widgetcraft]

WOW. The PC version of this absolutely stunning to look at. Those are some nice textures indeed.

Yep, you should see the outside world. Also: That's not even the Ultra settings, that is just set to High without any tweaking done (didn't feel like it, I'm enjoying the solid framerate).

[Slack3r78]

http://uploads.evilavatarcomics.com/Slack3r78/images/obeyvb.jpg

G1 + Vault Boy bobblehead = Good times.

[Chill]

Love the game. As others have said, it really does feel like a Fallout game.

Not so impressed by the graphics, but I haven't gotten very far, and I have to bump up the AA. But, considering its just the Oblivion engine with some new effects it does look pretty good. Far Cry and STALKER have really spoiled me.

[Iron Past]

Also, regarding Megaton:
Jericho told me that Moriarty sleeps with a box of cash next to his bed and the key around his neck. I'm playing a mostly good character, but I am pissed that he wants 300 caps for information on my father. I figure that if I were to steal the money from him to pay for the information, we'd be even. Well when I followed him to bed, I was discovered while pickpocketing the key. I booked it for the door, and everyone in Megaton was firing at me and giving chase. So I don't think I can ever go back there now. My mistake for messing with the corrupt guy that "runs" the town.

Well, if you don't plan on hanging out there, I think you know what you have to do...

[walkstheplanes]

Question, guys...

So, I went ahead and disabled the Megaton bomb before talking to the evil dude in the shades. As a result, karma went up and the guy ditched town. However, I remember in previews that you can go to his vista. I was wondering as to his location so I can go to his wasteland villa and raid it. Can anyone give me the location relative to Megaton?

[Iron Past]

Question, guys...

So, I went ahead and disabled the Megaton bomb before talking to the evil dude in the shades. As a result, karma went up and the guy ditched town. However, I remember in previews that you can go to his vista. I was wondering as to his location so I can go to his wasteland villa and raid it. Can anyone give me the location relative to Megaton?

Waaaaay southwest. It's a gigantic tower.

I'm a little pissed at my Pip-Boy right now. If the GPS thingy says I can go in a relatively strait line to my destination, why can't I go in a relatively strait fucking line to my destination? I'm having to take extreme detours to get to a couple places.

[walkstheplanes]

Thanks for the answer. Yeah, going across the Potomac, I'm finding I need to take detours to take bridges and whatnot... but I wouldn't consider the Pipboy a GPS, just a map.

Time to trek southwest!

[axion]

Played for a couple hours now, this game is really really good. Love the atmosphere, the dialogue, all the little things. I haven't even done any of the main quests really yet and I've probably sunk in about 5 hours. Also got a bit of a scare when I loaded the game up and there were no save games, I was pissed. Then I realised you need to sign in to LIVE to access them, fewf. I think it's cool to read all the spoilers because now I see what others have done, and how I did them differently.

[Iron Past]

Thanks for the answer. Yeah, going across the Potomac, I'm finding I need to take detours to take bridges and whatnot... but I wouldn't consider the Pipboy a GPS, just a map.

Time to trek southwest!

Actually, that was my own fault. I was suposed to be underground and didn't know it. I still have to stumble around a bit, though, which is mildly annoying.

[axion]

Has anyone made their own weapons yet? I got the schematics for one so far, but haven't got the right parts to make it. Even found a work bench.

[DeathtollWRX]

Love the game. As others have said, it really does feel like a Fallout game.

Not so impressed by the graphics, but I haven't gotten very far, and I have to bump up the AA. But, considering its just the Oblivion engine with some new effects it does look pretty good. Far Cry and STALKER have really spoiled me.


Do you have it on ultra settings? For some reason I felt that the graphics are every bit as good as Crysis and better than Stalker ( I have all three games)

[carnage11]

Does anyone else think Colin Moriarty from Megaton sounds an awful lot like Sheogorath from the Shivering Isles? lol. Same voice actor maybe.

[Crowe]

Does anyone else think Colin Moriarty from Megaton sounds an awful lot like Sheogorath from the Shivering Isles? lol. Same voice actor maybe.

I bet they have used a lot of the same voice actors. It's like a mini game, trying to figure out where the voice was used in Oblivion heh.

[Virtual Machine]

I tried the alternate path this evening and blew the piss out of Megaton and hit Tenpenny Tower. Everyone was so goddamn hedonistic that i just HAD to slay every last one of them, starting with Tenpenny and Burke. Man there's some GREAT loot there.

I then reverted to an old save and saved the damn town.

[Rune_74]

Just gotta say spent 3 hours so far, and this game is simply Fallout. Thats all you gotta say really it nails it perfectly.

[Disgustipated]

WOW. The PC version of this absolutely stunning to look at. Those are some nice textures indeed.

You're joking, right? That sorta looks like ass.

[Kelegacy]

I played through most of the first area last night, up to Escape!, then had to go to bed. Some of us have to work. :)

Still, I think I'm going to LOVE this game. That's why I bought it---great so far, just what I crave in a game for the most part.

I think the game sometimes looks worse than Oblivion, to be honest. At least the character faces that I've seen so far (I'm playing the 360 version). Amata as a grown woman was strangly ugly. And the create-a-character had really terrible looking faces. I thought it would look even better than this, but oh well. I did also notice some yucky textures on some walls and other areas.

But I'm not playing for graphics, but gameplay. I've seen some reviews claim the game was one of the best looking titles this year, if not the best, but so far I don't see it. Eh, whatever. Can't wait to get home from work to play some more.

[Widgetcraft]

I played through most of the first area last night, up to Escape!, then had to go to bed. Some of us have to work. :)

Still, I think I'm going to LOVE this game. That's why I bought it---great so far, just what I crave in a game for the most part.

I think the game sometimes looks worse than Oblivion, to be honest. At least the character faces that I've seen so far (I'm playing the 360 version). Amata as a grown woman was strangly ugly. And the create-a-character had really terrible looking faces. I thought it would look even better than this, but oh well. I did also notice some yucky textures on some walls and other areas.

But I'm not playing for graphics, but gameplay. I've seen some reviews claim the game was one of the best looking titles this year, if not the best, but so far I don't see it. Eh, whatever. Can't wait to get home from work to play some more.

Seriously...? I thought the faces were the one really huge improvement over Oblivion, in terms of graphics (well, that and lighting seems to be even better this time around). In Oblivion, pretty much everyone was born horribly mutated.

ZOMG: TES is set in the future of the Fallout universe!

[Kelegacy]

It's been a while since I played Oblivion, maybe I'm wrong. I think some of the faces are good, some were average or ugly. But I'm still in the Vault, I don't know.

I'm glad this game is exploration-heavy, that's what I LOVE in my games. I saved last night before going through Escape! and played a bit further just for giggles. Butch asked for my help, I said Fuck off. He pleaded, I made him beg more. Then I relented and gave him my BB gun, he went off to fight. I came into the room after him and shot his head off. Simply awesome. I really do love the battle system so far.

I'm going to "reroll" a character tonight. I want to make sure I pick stats that are useful in small guns, lockpicking and perhaps another useful category. After the GOAT exam they gave me Barter, Lockpicking, and Medicine. They said I would be a Chaplain. I switched those though.

I don't want to cripple myself by removing points from Charisma though, making conversations severely limited or problematic. Any categories that WOULD be good for me to move points out of and put into? Some RPGs tend to skimp in some categories, making points in them almost useless. I know Endurance was an important stat in Oblivion, since it multiplied with your level to give you more HP...basically it encouraged you to put more END points early in the game so later on you'll have more HP.

Too many choices. This is always the toughest part for me in RPGs, the character creation.

[axion]

I am glad that I took the "Lady Killer" perk, it has helped me a couple of times already.

[MachEnergy]

I'm going to "reroll" a character tonight. I want to make sure I pick stats that are useful in small guns, lockpicking and perhaps another useful category. After the GOAT exam they gave me Barter, Lockpicking, and Medicine. They said I would be a Chaplain. I switched those though.

FYI, as you are exiting the vault in your escape, you are able to change everything about your character (stats, perk, appearance). Plus, they create a save file right there, so if you hate your character, you don't have to go back and play all the vault stuff again.

How thoughtful of Bethesda! :)

[Kelegacy]

FYI, as you are exiting the vault in your escape, you are able to change everything about your character (stats, perk, appearance). Plus, they create a save file right there, so if you hate your character, you don't have to go back and play all the vault stuff again.

How thoughtful of Bethesda! :)

Whoa, awesome. You just saved me an hour or so of my time. Thanks a ton.

I should have known that, because that's what happened in Oblivion as well. Sweet.

[Slack3r78]

I'm enjoying it. Maybe it's just my play style and stats not quite matching up, but it does feel awful stingy with the stimpacks, which has left me in bad spots where I can't find a bed to sleep in, I'm out of stimpacks, and hurting bad. It's definitely a harsh world.

[Squidbot]

It is a very harsh world. I constantly feel like a scavenger, desperate for health and ammo, always trying to conserve bullets.

[National Kato]

I rerolled last night to give myself a little more advantage in the Small Arms arena: I had previously rolled a Speech-heavy scientist with a knack for repairing things. On the Hard difficulty.

Needless to say I was getting my ass handed to me by raiding parties in the Wasteland. Now, the tables are a bit more leveled.

[jpublic]

Am I hearing things or is President Eden played by Malcolm McDowel?

[National Kato]

Am I hearing things or is President Eden played by Malcolm McDowel?

You are hearing things. The truth.

[Young Al Capone]

Ok guys, I am thinking I might pick it up, despite the fact that it isn't quite the Fallout game that I would have liked. It sounds like if I can get over the fact that it just won't offer the same roleplaying experience, there is plenty there to enjoy.

Plus, I could use a distraction from Far Cry 2, as that is all I have played for well over a week. Or I could finish Dead Space, but really...

However, the world leveling with you, I just don't know if I can get over that. If I can kill the first super mutant I see I might just throw the game away in disgust.

[DeathtollWRX]

Ok guys, I am thinking I might pick it up, despite the fact that it isn't quite the Fallout game that I would have liked. It sounds like if I can get over the fact that it just won't offer the same roleplaying experience, there is plenty there to enjoy.

Plus, I could use a distraction from Far Cry 2, as that is all I have played for well over a week. Or I could finish Dead Space, but really...

However, the world leveling with you, I just don't know if I can get over that. If I can kill the first super mutant I see I might just throw the game away in disgust.

I beg to differ on this not being Fallout. I think this is EXACTLY how Fallout should have evolved. Being a hardcore Fallout/Arcanum fan I had my doubts, These doubts were obliterated as soon as I started playing. I do miss the old hex turn based battles but I think this worked out as good as I could have hoped.

I hope this doesn't piss you off but I put alot of strength on my character (first time in fallout) and the first super mutant I faced I was able to beat to death with my bare hands (Although I was ready to bust out my Fat Man)

[axion]

I know that the Mire-something or others would have (and did) hand me my ass if I didn't have the flamer, which dealt with them nicely.

[DeathtollWRX]

It is a very harsh world. I constantly feel like a scavenger, desperate for health and ammo, always trying to conserve bullets.

This is EXACTLY how Fallout should be, After all.. the world is devastated.

[Young Al Capone]

I beg to differ on this not being Fallout. I think this is EXACTLY how Fallout should have evolved. Being a hardcore Fallout/Arcanum fan I had my doubts, These doubts were obliterated as soon as I started playing. I do miss the old hex turn based battles but I think this worked out as good as I could have hoped.

I hope this doesn't piss you off but I put alot of strength on my character (first time in fallout) and the first super mutant I faced I was able to beat to death with my bare hands (Although I was ready to bust out my Fat Man)

Why would that piss me off?

I remember those games, and there are plenty of circumstances that would have led to you being able to kill your first supermutant. I killed the first one I saw too, because Dogmeat ran into the building where he was and kept him distracted while I fired on him through the windows. So perhaps that wasn't the best example.

I feel like this game doesn't provide the randomness, options and developing circumstances that those old ones did. If there is then why isn't anyone talking about it? Everyone is only mentioning story events basically.

I couldn't care less about the combat being turn based or the game being isometric, I want to feel like I am in this world that couldn't care less if I am dead but will certainly react to the things I do. I want a well realized environment that provides areas that range from safe havens to guarenteed death traps. I want a game that rewards well thought out and planned decisions and punishes sloppyness and rushing, because that is what the environment would do.

I certainly don't want a world filled with the same four NPCs just named differently, or that levels with me to the point that I ever feel like I can go anywhere and there is nothing out there that can really just wipe me or gear that is always at your level no matter who you are battling or where they are located.

[Virtual Machine]

This is EXACTLY how Fallout should be, After all.. the world is devastated.

Amen.

That's one aspect of the game i am in love with. When i find someone who's trading 5.56 ammo for my assault rifle i practically do cartwheels. Stimpacks aren't AS bad.

Money is tight, survival is everything. Welcome to the Capitol Wasteland.

Or you could just go wipe out tenpenny tower and LOAD UP on mad loot.

It's a lot easier to be bad, but i'm trying Ringo, i'm trying real hard to be the Shepherd.

[Squidbot]

This is EXACTLY how Fallout should be, After all.. the world is devastated.

Guess I didn't make myself clear :D I LOVE that aspect of it, it feels like Fallout.

Small tip by the way, quite obvious but still handy for newbies: Bottle caps come from bottles ;)

[jpublic]

What I particularly like about this version is the fact that if you combat in RT mode as opposed to VATS, every weapon is useful. Sure, you'll get a massive spread with that minigun if you don't have decent skill with it, but hell, at short range you'll not only hit, you'll gib the guy.

BTW: Bloody Mess is *still* the most fun perk ever.

[crazyD]

Ok guys, I am thinking I might pick it up, despite the fact that it isn't quite the Fallout game that I would have liked. It sounds like if I can get over the fact that it just won't offer the same roleplaying experience, there is plenty there to enjoy.

Plus, I could use a distraction from Far Cry 2, as that is all I have played for well over a week. Or I could finish Dead Space, but really...

However, the world leveling with you, I just don't know if I can get over that. If I can kill the first super mutant I see I might just throw the game away in disgust.

I don't believe this game has world leveling. If you head downtown at the beginning, Super Mutants will fuck you up.

[crazyD]

I am glad that I took the "Lady Killer" perk, it has helped me a couple of times already.

I will always take perks that give me additional dialogue options. I like how they play off the dual meaning of Lady Killer.

[Kelegacy]

I don't believe this game has world leveling. If you head downtown at the beginning, Super Mutants will fuck you up.

I think the game actually DOES have world leveling. Just like Oblivion. I've read that in numerous reviews.

It's something I hate terribly in games, but oh well.

[National Kato]

I think the game actually DOES have world leveling. Just like Oblivion. I've read that in numerous reviews.


Well, the reviews actually state that some parts of the world level with you (to keep it challenging) while others do not (see aofrementioned super mutants downtown).

It's a mix of both worlds and should make everyone happy.

[Superman's Dead]

It's a lot easier to be bad, but i'm trying Ringo, i'm trying real hard to be the Shepherd.

I think I have to be in love with you now. :(

[Hotcod]

This game will unlock in approximately 1 day and 1 hour


:(

*whimpers quietly to self*

[National Kato]

I'm really enjoying the VATS system, especially when outnumbered. I've successfully crippled the legs of my pursuers to the point where either:

a) they can't catch me and I can flee and lick my wounds, or

b) they turn tail to do the same.

[Lance Uppercut]

I accepted the quest to disable the bomb in Megaton, but how do I do it? And who do I report to? The sheriff is dead.

[Squidbot]

I accepted the quest to disable the bomb in Megaton, but how do I do it? And who do I report to? The sheriff is dead.

You need to raise your explosives skills, you can get stims to temporarily boost them. However, if the Sheriff is dead you may be boned, unless the quest carries over to his son

[Virtual Machine]

You need to raise your explosives skills, you can get stims to temporarily boost them. However, if the Sheriff is dead you may be boned, unless the quest carries over to his son

Yes, yes it does. Just look around for little Simms, and he'll tell you his pa instructed him to pay you off if you succeeded.

[Schnoogs]

I like how we have two Fallout 3 threads that show up right next to each other under "New Posts"

Dueling threads.

[Soap]

Question, guys...

So, I went ahead and disabled the Megaton bomb before talking to the evil dude in the shades. As a result, karma went up and the guy ditched town. However, I remember in previews that you can go to his vista. I was wondering as to his location so I can go to his wasteland villa and raid it. Can anyone give me the location relative to Megaton?

What's the reward for blowing up Megaton? Do you get a house or living quarters as a reward? I am hesitant to go this route because I like having my robot servant fetch me pure water and I love to decorate my shit hole of a pad

[Soap]

Can anyone clue me in on where to find that dog companion? For some reason I thought you could get him right away after leaving the vault.

Oh yeah, getting attacked by multiple mole rats and vicious dogs on Very Hard = Run for your Life!

[Squidbot]

What's the reward for blowing up Megaton? Do you get a house or living quarters as a reward? I am hesitant to go this route because I like having my robot servant fetch me pure water and I love to decorate my shit hole of a pad

You get a fancy pad in Twopenny Towers. Plus you get to laugh at Moira the ghoul.

[cppcrusader]

I like how we have two Fallout 3 threads that show up right next to each other under "New Posts"

Dueling threads.

What's better is since they both have the exact same name Gmail decided that the subscription emails are all part of the same conversation. I never know which thread I'm replying to at this point.

[Iron Past]

I think the game actually DOES have world leveling. Just like Oblivion. I've read that in numerous reviews.

It's something I hate terribly in games, but oh well.

I was thinking, though, the world would only level with you on a base stat, right? So if I go fight a Super Mutant with an uzi at the begining and it takes all my ammo, it'll be a much different fight after I've shoved tons of points into Small Arms after hours and hours of play and can take him out with a simple pistol, right?

[Soap]

You get a fancy pad in Twopenny Towers. Plus you get to laugh at Moira the ghoul.

Do they sell the schematic for the gun that uses the railroad spikes? I keep collecting them but I've never seen the gun for sale anywhere.

[Squidbot]

Do they sell the schematic for the gun that uses the railroad spikes? I keep collecting them but I've never seen the gun for sale anywhere.

Nope, not seen it yet. Only weapon I've made is the Deathclaw

[Soap]

Nope, not seen it yet. Only weapon I've made is the Deathclaw

Really? Where'd you score that at?

So far I've made Shishkebab ver 2.0 which has 10% damage, bottle cap mines (sweet on Mirelock crab things),

Oh yeah....anyone find the ripper? That is pure fun.

[jpublic]

Wow, you guys are doing really well. I'm always short on cash trying to feed that Stimpack monkey on my back.

Oh, and further to my above post - gibbing a Super Mutant with a shotgun during VATS? PRICELESS.

[crazyD]

I've never really had an issue with being low on stimpacks, mainly because I steal everything that is not nailed down, and trade for them.

[Virtual Machine]

Ok, apparently this is the deal with the whole level scaling issue (It's coming from another source, so i can't vouch for it 110 percent, but it certainly seems right):

- Generally speaking, level scaling is in effect on most creatures in the Capital Wasteland, however the enemy types don't typically change. So you may fight a level 1 raider, or you may fight a level 10 raider. Each enemy type has a few archetypes that they draw from, and some areas are seeded with higher level enemies than others. One example is the fire ants near the super-duper mart.

- Some enemy types start higher than others, but are not introduced based on your character's level, so yeah, as a level 1 character it is possible to run into nastyness that will own your sorry ass. And monster types don't disappear a la Oblivion as you get stronger. However some new types to get introduced as you work your way through the story, and they may or may not be more powerful than you depending on how much XP you've earned up to that point.

- Some instances contain enemies with very high levels - you'll know them if you stumble onto them, as these villains will sodomize you if you aren't a wasteland veteran.

So it seems like it's kind of a mix.

[jpublic]

I think my main problem is I need to find a decent source for ammo. I'm carrying like 8 weapons so I never run into the no-ammo problem, so that limits my carrying capacity, which in turn limits the amount of salvage I can pick up.

[Widgetcraft]

I just finished the game. Stupidest ending of all time:

You die of fucking radiation poisoning, as you walk into an irradiated chamber to activate Project Purity. You're basically Spock, from Wrath of Khan; which is humorously coincidental, as someone had just made a joking comment about the GECK being a rip-off of the Genesis Project in the IRC chat before I beat it.

Here is why this is stupid: I have a fucking Super Mutant companion with me, who is immune to radiation. I ask him to go into the chamber, but he refuses, and says that it is my destiny. It's the most ludicrous thing that I've ever heard.

I r winner.

[Virtual Machine]

I think my main problem is I need to find a decent source for ammo. I'm carrying like 8 weapons so I never run into the no-ammo problem, so that limits my carrying capacity, which in turn limits the amount of salvage I can pick up.

My advice is to stick to two or three weapons. Your main, a backup, and a melee. I've been sticking with a Chinese Assault Rifle or Assault Rifle as my main, a Hunting rifle as my backup, and my pissy old baseball bat until i can find me a chinese sword. Though i do have a 10mm SMG in my inventory right now. Don't waste ammo on the critters, radscorpions, Radroaches and dogs can be mangled pretty good with a melee weapon.

As far as heavy stuff goes, i've found it pretty useless. I can take out a super mutie faster with VATS and my Assault Rifle than with a minigun, which is just an uncontrollable ammo hog. And the Fatman, which has pretty much one hitted anything i came up against, has VERY limited ammo (70-odd rounds in the entire game). So I basically use heavy weapons to build my fortune.

Energy weapons are fun, and accurate, but i generally find they lack oomph.

[carnage11]

I just finished the game. Stupidest ending of all time:

You die of fucking radiation poisoning, as you walk into an irradiated chamber to activate Project Purity. You're basically Spock, from Wrath of Khan; which is humorously coincidental, as someone had just made a joking comment about the GECK being a rip-off of the Genesis Project in the IRC chat before I beat it.

Here is why this is stupid: I have a fucking Super Mutant companion with me, who is immune to radiation. I ask him to go into the chamber, but he refuses, and says that it is my destiny. It's the most ludicrous thing that I've ever heard.

I r winner.

Good God, I clicked your spoiler just out of habit and then had to immediately close my browser! I can't believe you've already beaten the game. Now, as I'm typing this I'm trying desperatly not to look up, because the spoiler is right there in my face. Must....fight....urge.....to...ruin....game.

[crazyD]

Good God, I clicked your spoiler just out of habit and then had to immediately close my browser! I can't believe you've already beaten the game. Now, as I'm typing this I'm trying desperatly not to look up, because the spoiler is right there in my face. Must....fight....urge.....to...ruin....game.

Well, I'm sure this is just one possible ending out of many. Odds are, you won't ruin the ending for yourself by clicking on it.

[OrangePulp]

I just finished the game. Stupidest ending of all time:

You die of fucking radiation poisoning, as you walk into an irradiated chamber to activate Project Purity. You're basically Spock, from Wrath of Khan; which is humorously coincidental, as someone had just made a joking comment about the GECK being a rip-off of the Genesis Project in the IRC chat before I beat it.

Here is why this is stupid: I have a fucking Super Mutant companion with me, who is immune to radiation. I ask him to go into the chamber, but he refuses, and says that it is my destiny. It's the most ludicrous thing that I've ever heard.

I r winner.

I saw some slight mention of this, so I went ahead and read it; damn, that is retarded. Especially considering your specific circumstances. Something else in the story that annoyed me:

The fact that your dad dies. It's like... could you get more cliche? When you find him, and rescue him, I thought maybe he would live through the whole thing. But, no; they have to pull the tired old "dad dies so his duty falls to main character" bullshit. And Liam Neeson had the best voice acting in the game.

Really, though, for all the gripes I've got with the game (and I've got quite a few), I've been enjoying it a lot. A lot of things probably wouldn't bother me much if the game was only mediocre. Just get that SDK out soon, bethesda.

[carnage11]

Well, I'm sure this is just one possible ending out of many. Odds are, you won't ruin the ending for yourself by clicking on it.

So how many different possible endings are there? Are they all similar with small differences or are they completly different? I'm guessing there's at least the good and bad endings based on karma.

[Lance Uppercut]

Protip: Get rid of the default shortcuts to the game, and create a new shortcut for the fallout3.exe file in your game folder. Now you don't need the CD in the drive to play the game.

[jpublic]

Protip: Get rid of the default shortcuts to the game, and create a new shortcut for the fallout3.exe file in your game folder. Now you don't need the CD in the drive to play the game.

That's a really good idea, especially since a lot of problems apparently come out due to the securRom in the loader.

[Kelegacy]

Damn, it's been a very long time since I found game that sucks me in as much as this one. Honestly, I think it's been since Oblivion that I've become so enthralled. I LOVE VATS.

It doesn't help that I LOVE exploring in videogames, and this one, as do most of Bethesda's titles, encourages that.

Can't wait until this workday is OVER. And I've only been here for 20 minutes. Only 9 hours, 40 minutes to go.

[Jeffool]

I LOVE VATS.Amen and Hallelujah! An FPS with an action-time based combat system? Ah it's grand!

It doesn't help that I LOVE exploring in videogames, and this one, as do most of Bethesda's titles, encourages that.One thing that's getting to me, though, is my inabilities to:

A) Make money.
B) Judge what I should carry with me. Because it's an FPS, I end up carrying my entire goddamn arsenal everywhere, whereas in Elder Scrolls games I would just carry a big fucking axe.
C) Again, in TES, I knew what was useful and what was pawnable garbage. Here, I never know, so I'm tentative to throw down certain items until it's necessary.

Now, I go off to play!

[Kelegacy]

Amen and Hallelujah! An FPS with an action-time based combat system? Ah it's grand!

One thing that's getting to me, though, is my inabilities to:

A) Make money.
B) Judge what I should carry with me. Because it's an FPS, I end up carrying my entire goddamn arsenal everywhere, whereas in Elder Scrolls games I would just carry a big fucking axe.
C) Again, in TES, I knew what was useful and what was pawnable garbage. Here, I never know, so I'm tentative to throw down certain items until it's necessary.

Now, I go off to play!

I'm still very early on, and might not make it to Megaton for a bit because I'm just dickin' around, but I've already had many problems with hoarding. In the Vault, I had a bunch of Security outfits that were worth 32 gold, but were 15 lbs each. Other items are lighter and bring in around the same, or more, so I have had to pick and choose what I carry. I SHOULD actually head to Megaton just to do some pawning, so I can free myself up a bit.

Is there any way to unload the ammunition from guns? I'm carrying 3 of the same weapon, but each appears to be loaded. I guess I could always empty the guns via fighting and then sell them off.

I was a hoarder in Oblivion too, going into a dungeon with nearly nothing and coming out almost over encumbered. Sell the stuff off, go back for more somewhere else. Do items respawn in Fallout like they do in Oblivion? Also, are items randomized, meaning I may get something different in a container than you might?

[Jeffool]

I was a hoarder in Oblivion too, going into a dungeon with nearly nothing and coming out almost over encumbered.I was the exact same, and I stole everything from everyone. Many NPCs lived in empty houses in Oblivion. :D My house in the coastal city in Oblivion (the name escapes me,) with one with the basement and all the barrels/crates in it? That was my main home, and I had all of my items divided by type (plant products, vegetables, meat, animal byproduct, Oblivion realm materials, arrows, etc.) in addition to my jewel drawer and clothing wardrobe in my room and the weapon chest in hall. It was sad, to be honest.

But now, with the karma system and my drive to be a good guy, I'm stealing nothing.Do items respawn in Fallout like they do in Oblivion? Also, are items randomized, meaning I may get something different in a container than you might?One of the 'tips' on the loading page said to not put items into a chest that you don't own, as it may not be there when you come back. If it's random or changing, I don't know, but I'd heed those words.

[Mr. Murphy]

One of the 'tips' on the loading page said to not put items into a chest that you don't own, as it may not be there when you come back. If it's random or changing, I don't know, but I'd heed those words.

If it's a chest or a locker that no one else uses, you seem to be safe. I found an empty house with a locker in it and I've been storing stuff there for some time, and nothing has disappeared yet.

[Young Al Capone]

So I caved, and picked up the Collector's Edition yesterday. I made my character and made my way to Megaton last night, and like what I have seen so far. It certainly is pretty, at least artistically. I hope to put in more time this weekend.

[tacitus]

Is there any way to unload the ammunition from guns? I'm carrying 3 of the same weapon, but each appears to be loaded. I guess I could always empty the guns via fighting and then sell them off.

Its also very annoying because when you repair loose the ammo from the "parts" item. I wish you could unload.

[Killzig]

I got it, unfortunately I apparently have Popeye forearms and can't wear it. The display base is a little wonky. The clock's weight is all on one side so it took a moment to get it to sit right on the stand.

Still, its the coolest bonus I've gotten since the Big Daddy.

I got it too and I feel the complete opposite. The display is terrible, it's not painted and as you said, the base is barely functional. I actually ended up putting it on a high shelf and letting it roll forward a bit to tilt down. Looks pretty good there, from a distance. The lunch box and bobble head are great though, I think I would have preferred it if the SE had come with the limited edition game guide. That thing is massive, comes with a huge folding map, and has great info inside. Really digging it.

[Lance Uppercut]

Ammo is so hard to come by....

Also, fuck fire ants.

[National Kato]

I'm really trying hard to milk the Megaton residents for every last bottlecap before I finish the job the bombs started. But every time I come back from one of their petty tasks and collect my pay, they have something else for me. Fucking leeches, every last one of them.

[carnage11]

I was the exact same, and I stole everything from everyone. Many NPCs lived in empty houses in Oblivion. :D My house in the coastal city in Oblivion (the name escapes me,) with one with the basement and all the barrels/crates in it? That was my main home, and I had all of my items divided by type (plant products, vegetables, meat, animal byproduct, Oblivion realm materials, arrows, etc.) in addition to my jewel drawer and clothing wardrobe in my room and the weapon chest in hall. It was sad, to be honest.



LMAO, I used to do the same thing. It was the big house in Anvil. I had all my stuff sorted by type and put into separate containers. Except I put all my really nice nice stuff down in the basement, there was a chest down there. Then there was the little room behind the wall where the ghost was or whatever. It's been a long time since I played it. I even kept most of my notes and things in the desk. lol! The house was jammed packed with shit that I would never use. I hated that there were some things in your inventory that would get stuck and you couldn't drop them. That was pretty lame.

I'm still early on in Fallout 3, so I haven't found a house or anything to drop my stuff at. The problem with it is there is a lot of garbage that I pick up and I don't know if it will be useful later like to build weapons and stuff. It's hard to tell what to keep and what to ditch. In oblivion you could just go by the value, but in Fallout 3 most everything seems to be worthless. Like medical tubing, or an arm brace. Can I use that stuff for weapons? Or should I just leave it alone?

[Superman's Dead]

Ammo is so hard to come by....

Also, fuck fire ants.

I was just about to say that! There's no way that killing those things is ever worth the bullets it spends not to die.

Maybe its because I'm not particularly skilled at FPS games or wandered into harsh areas too quickly, but I've found that there are some things that I should NOT be doing until I'm better at shooting things in the face. The difficulty seems perfect.

[Soap]

I'm still very early on, and might not make it to Megaton for a bit because I'm just dickin' around, but I've already had many problems with hoarding. In the Vault, I had a bunch of Security outfits that were worth 32 gold, but were 15 lbs each. Other items are lighter and bring in around the same, or more, so I have had to pick and choose what I carry. I SHOULD actually head to Megaton just to do some pawning, so I can free myself up a bit.

Is there any way to unload the ammunition from guns? I'm carrying 3 of the same weapon, but each appears to be loaded. I guess I could always empty the guns via fighting and then sell them off.

I was a hoarder in Oblivion too, going into a dungeon with nearly nothing and coming out almost over encumbered. Sell the stuff off, go back for more somewhere else. Do items respawn in Fallout like they do in Oblivion? Also, are items randomized, meaning I may get something different in a container than you might?

Hello Fellow PackRat,

Let me try and share some tips with you:

1) Weight vs Value (of an item). I'm assuming here that you've hardly put any point into BARTER. Any item that you pick up, the stated value in the inventory screen will usually be about 50% of what will be actually offered in bottle caps by a vendor. Taking this into account, ditch any item that does not give you at least a 1:2.5 ratio. By this I mean, one pound of weight = a return of at least 2.5 bottle caps. So if you find some junky armor off of a raider that weighs 15 and value is 30, leave it. Do yourself a favor and role-play your character as a moonshiner. Stick with stealing alcohol. At a weight of 1 and value of 10, you get a much nicer return.

2) Items do seem to be randomized (in containers) and higher luck will affect the outcome.

3) Haven't found a way to unload weapons in the inventory section, so you are kind of SOL (Shit Outta Luck) there.

[Soap]

Ammo is so hard to come by....

Also, fuck fire ants.

I lucked out and found a Combat Shotgun early on in the game. The double barrel sawed off pales in comparison. But yeah, you are going to have to trade loot for ammo/stimpacks.

The only way I found to ease the cost of stimpack is to boost the Medical skill up. The higher the skill, the more return on health (and RAD resistance) you get.

[Blue]

It's funny, I'm not really having a tough time finding ammo and I think I've only stolen one thing so far. I came across two ghouls holed up making what seemed to be drugs and one got lippy with me so I instinctively threw a frag grenade into the room and shut the door...which gave me a lot of ammo, a 10mm sub-machine gun, and an assault rifle. That might have something to do with it.

I've also found enough to keep me going by taking what I find off Raider's or what I scrounge up out in the Wastes so I can trade that for ammo in Rivet City or Megaton without burning through firepower too much.

My biggest struggle is breaking the 600 cap barrier. I want to furnish my house!

[carnage11]

Not sure why you guys are having such problems with the ants. Have you tried using the baseball bat? Shooting them with guns is kinda pointless as they take quite a bit to kill. Use the bat with VATS and it usually takes 2-3 good licks to get them dead. Not too shabby.

[crazyD]

While finishing off those book missions, I got sent to Rivet. Little did I know that this took me straight through Super Mutant fuck me in the ass central. Turns out, I'm a bad ass that can take a fucking nuke and still keep kicking ass. Made up for the epic loss of ammo and stimpacks by robbing Rivet blind and selling Super Mutant's miniguns.

[Soap]

Not sure why you guys are having such problems with the ants. Have you tried using the baseball bat? Shooting them with guns is kinda pointless as they take quite a bit to kill. Use the bat with VATS and it usually takes 2-3 good licks to get them dead. Not too shabby.

I think it's more of the flame that is gushing out of their mouths than anything else. Oh Mines work spectacularly on them and the Mirelurks.

[National Kato]

What's the best way to use the mines without blowing them up in your hands?

[crazyD]

What's the best way to use the mines without blowing them up in your hands?

Raise your explosives skill?

[Soap]

What's the best way to use the mines without blowing them up in your hands?

Check your explosives rating first, but ideally you want it around 30. There will be a side benefit for this when you try to arm/disarm the bomb in megaton

[National Kato]

Yeah, my explosives rating is plenty high. It's just when I wield it and press the right trigger, it explodes as it drops. Is there a way to set it to arm after I've dropped it, so I can lay them down and lure my enemy over?

[Soap]

Yeah, my explosives rating is plenty high. It's just when I wield it and press the right trigger, it explodes as it drops. Is there a way to set it to arm after I've dropped it, so I can lay them down and lure my enemy over?

That's really weird. Are you doing this like right in front of an enemy? Maybe try finding a choke point to lure them to, look down or crouch, then drop the mine and immediately pull back.

[National Kato]

Are you doing this like right in front of an enemy?

Well, the Mirelurk was charging me, so maybe I panicked. :D I'll try again.

[Soap]

Well, the Mirelurk was charging me, so maybe I panicked. :D I'll try again.

Lol, I've done that a couple of times. If you're running low on mines, help out Moira in Megaton with her book. I believe she'll send you off to a town that will replenish your supply. That or it'll blow you to bits.

[crazyD]

Lol, I've done that a couple of times. If you're running low on mines, help out Moira in Megaton with her book. I believe she'll send you off to a town that will replenish your supply. That or it'll blow you to bits.

That mission filled up my pockets quite a bit.

My solution to people who are having problems with money / ammo / stimpacks - Steal everything, and sell everything you are not directly using. I am sitting pretty on ammo and stimpacks, and have about 2000 caps that I never use, because I just trade for everything. Stealing leads to an easy and luxurious lifestyle.

[Young Al Capone]

Lol, I've done that a couple of times. If you're running low on mines, help out Moira in Megaton with her book. I believe she'll send you off to a town that will replenish your supply. That or it'll blow you to bits.

She will, it is the first mission I took yesterday.

I didn't have time to actually play the mission as a friend came over looking to drink right after I recieved it though.

[Slack3r78]

That mission filled up my pockets quite a bit.

My solution to people who are having problems with money / ammo / stimpacks - Steal everything, and sell everything you are not directly using. I am sitting pretty on ammo and stimpacks, and have about 2000 caps that I never use, because I just trade for everything. Stealing leads to an easy and luxurious lifestyle.
Heh, I just picked up some mines on my way to the GNR building and lied and told her I'd been to the mine town.

[crazyD]

Heh, I just picked up some mines on my way to the GNR building and lied and told her I'd been to the mine town.

That works, and I almost did that since I was sitting on a couple of mines at the time, but I was able to get a ton of mines to sell

[Hotcod]

downloading 40% *dances about the room like an excited school girl*

it's done but my mother has gotten her self addicted to ebay and is being annoying and chatty... and there's no where else for me to really play games on the laptop... i want to boot it up in the dark on my own heh

[biosc1]

That mission filled up my pockets quite a bit.

My solution to people who are having problems with money / ammo / stimpacks - Steal everything, and sell everything you are not directly using. I am sitting pretty on ammo and stimpacks, and have about 2000 caps that I never use, because I just trade for everything. Stealing leads to an easy and luxurious lifestyle.

Bad Karma! :p

[crazyD]

Bad Karma! :p

I find that stealing doesn't sink your karma too much. I'm still sitting pretty high, because I'm not too much of a dick in quests.

An issue I have with this game is that the choice is less being Good or Evil, but more like being Good or a Dick.

[ClannerDelta]

An issue I have with this game is that the choice is less being Good or Evil, but more like being Good or a Dick.

This is my main problem with most games with the "Good vs Evil" mechanic. In that, kicking puppies doesn't make you evil. It just makes you a douche no one will take serious.

[cppcrusader]

Not sure why you guys are having such problems with the ants. Have you tried using the baseball bat? Shooting them with guns is kinda pointless as they take quite a bit to kill. Use the bat with VATS and it usually takes 2-3 good licks to get them dead. Not too shabby.

That's my goto weapon right now. The tricky part with using it on the Fucking Ants is sneaking up on them since VATS never seems to let me hit them when they're gushing flames all over my face.

[Virtual Machine]

That's my goto weapon right now. The tricky part with using it on the Fucking Ants is sneaking up on them since VATS never seems to let me hit them when they're gushing flames all over my face.

Yeah, gushing flames tend to have a pretty negative impact on your accuracy.

Has anyone stumbled onto Dogmeat yet?

[Tayaya]

An odd question... am I the only one rockin' the amber HUD and the amber Pip Boy? For some reason I just think it adds and even more retro feel to the game, and for some reason makes the HUD a lot less distracting.

Avoid the blue one, though... it's the devil.

[National Kato]

... am I the only one rockin' the amber HUD and the amber Pip Boy?

I'm using the default. If that's amber, then so be it.

<---- colorblind

[DeathtollWRX]

It's all about spiked knuckles baby. Where is dogmeat? I want him! Someone PM me!

[Virtual Machine]

An odd question... am I the only one rockin' the amber HUD and the amber Pip Boy? For some reason I just think it adds and even more retro feel to the game, and for some reason makes the HUD a lot less distracting.

Avoid the blue one, though... it's the devil.

I'm using the blue one...

*lowers head*

[axion]

Anyone else made the Junk-it Launcher I think it's called? Load it up with whatever you want, tin cans, plates, bottles etc, it is actually a really useful weapon.

[johnperkins21]

An odd question... am I the only one rockin' the amber HUD and the amber Pip Boy? For some reason I just think it adds and even more retro feel to the game, and for some reason makes the HUD a lot less distracting.

Avoid the blue one, though... it's the devil.

I'm using amber. Haven't tried the others, other than the default green. I may try the others tonight when I have more time.

[Tayaya]

I'm using the default. If that's amber, then so be it.

<---- colorblind

Does that mean you're using the gray one? I lack a fundamental understanding of how color blindness works. I had a friend that could perceive differences between blues and greens but other colors were OK... but he couldn't describe to me what exactly he saw. I only ask because it seems like my left and right eyes see colors just slightly differently from one another... like one is more vivid than the other.

If you turn the HUD to White, would that help it pop out of the background more than the default green or amber ones would?

[squirrelTactics]

An odd question... am I the only one rockin' the amber HUD and the amber Pip Boy? For some reason I just think it adds and even more retro feel to the game, and for some reason makes the HUD a lot less distracting.

Avoid the blue one, though... it's the devil.

I agree, Amber is the best HUD by far.



Also, has anyone gotten The Ripper?! That is the best god damn melee weapon in the game, imo.

[carnage11]

I think there's only green, blue and red. I like the green, because it gives it that nuclear/radioactive feel. Plus, we all know all the old computers had lame green screens back in the day. Except this is supposed to be in the future. In the future, when you crash your car, it blows up in a horrific nuclear blast. Fun!

[Young Al Capone]

So like I said earlier, despite my misgivings I have picked up the Collector's Edition. I said this stuff in the console haven thread, but it seems this thread has since become the victor.

Some slight spoilers below, if you haven't left the vault.

I started last night, and just made way to Megaton. I am playing as Rayne Desskoo, the post apocalyptic/cyberpunk/antihero who fled the vault after murdering the Overseer for what he did to my father and his partner, and also killed Butch for being a dick.

I like what I have seen so far, Megaton is fucking rad looking. I am hoping to put some good time into it this weekend, but we wll see, what with the festivities and all.

[Scaryfaced]

I agree, Amber is the best HUD by far.



Also, has anyone gotten The Ripper?! That is the best god damn melee weapon in the game, imo.

Is that the pneumatic power fist thingy? If not, do tell. I'm trying to focus on melee and small arms, but the best melee weapon I've come across is a sledgehammer.
________
CUMSHOT GLORYHOLE (http://www.fucktube.com/categories/492/gloryhole/videos/1)

[Soap]

That mission filled up my pockets quite a bit.

My solution to people who are having problems with money / ammo / stimpacks - Steal everything, and sell everything you are not directly using. I am sitting pretty on ammo and stimpacks, and have about 2000 caps that I never use, because I just trade for everything. Stealing leads to an easy and luxurious lifestyle.

Well did you talk to Jericho yet and get him to team up with you for 1000 bottle caps? You have to be Evil though

[Mortis]

It's probably that little hand held chainsaw, I saw a brotherhood guy with one and drooled.

[Soap]

Is that the pneumatic power fist thingy? If not, do tell. I'm trying to focus on melee and small arms, but the best melee weapon I've come across is a sledgehammer.

The ripper is a one handed power chainsaw, like in Dead Rising except no dual wield option.

It's kick ass, but it's wears out quite fast in comparison to other weapons. Maybe because I use mine to grind the bones of super mutants.

[National Kato]

Does that mean you're using the gray one? I lack a fundamental understanding of how color blindness works.

In simplest terms? You and I were both taught colors the same way: someone pointed to the sky and said 'Blue' or to the grass and said 'Green' and so forth.

The only difference is if you were looking through my eyes, knowing what you know now, the colors would be off a bit. I see color...just not many of the gradations/shades/variations between similar colors (green & brown, blue & purple) which leads to me confusing them.

When I was in the 5th grade I colored an alligator orange because I thought the crayon was green (and it didn't have the color written on it like Crayola did). Instead of lauding me as an eccentric, creative genius they called my parents and told them I had a problem. :D

[carnage11]

http://www.media.perthnow.com.au/multimedia/2008/04/hidden_images/colour_test.jpg


Can you see the numbers? If so, then you are good to go. If not, well then you're color blind.;)

[Sazime]

Has anyone stumbled onto Dogmeat yet?
I grabbed him early on. Although now, with running into giant Mutants, I've left him in Megaton so he'll live. :p
Anyone else made the Junk-it Launcher I think it's called? Load it up with whatever you want, tin cans, plates, bottles etc, it is actually a really useful weapon.
It's fun, but the damage is kinda meh. I prefer my arsenal of rifles and combat shotguns. :D
Also, has anyone gotten The Ripper?! That is the best god damn melee weapon in the game, imo.
Little hand chainsaw, it is.

Has anyone else hit the Dunwich (god, was it Dunwich?) House yet? OMG so awesome. Take a flamethrower in there and prepare to be spooked a bit. I love Bethsoft's designers.

[National Kato]

Can you see the numbers? If so, then you are good to go. If not, well then you're color blind.;)

Well, yes and no. There are different types of colorblindness. I can see the 25 clearly and the 56 barely. The 29 is a ghost that I can't make out but know is there. The rest? Complete nothing.

Interesting tidbit: it rarely affects my gaming, as I believe most game devs keep colorblindness in mind when they design UIs and such...but Rockstar fucked me over when they released Table Tennis. I can't see what color the spin indicator is fast enough to be able to compete against the AI. I really wanted to love that game, but couldn't play it worth a shit. :(

[Slack3r78]

My character is named Malcolm and looks like David Bowie.

I fucking rule.

[Sazime]

My character is named Malcolm and looks like David Bowie.

I fucking rule.
My character come up on sleeping Raiders and head shots everyone of them before they can get up and arm themselves.

His name is Clubber. He has a beard. WHERE IS YOUR GOD NOW?!

[Slack3r78]

My character come up on sleeping Raiders and head shots everyone of them before they can get up and arm themselves.

His name is Clubber. He has a beard. WHERE IS YOUR GOD NOW?!
Is he black, gold chain laden, and pittying fools? Because that would be epic.

[crazyD]

Well did you talk to Jericho yet and get him to team up with you for 1000 bottle caps? You have to be Evil though

I haven't checked my karma lately, so I'm not sure if I can yet.

[walkstheplanes]

An odd question... am I the only one rockin' the amber HUD and the amber Pip Boy? For some reason I just think it adds and even more retro feel to the game, and for some reason makes the HUD a lot less distracting.

Avoid the blue one, though... it's the devil.

I just have to say...

You've got a most disgusting and funny user image.

[Sazime]

Is he black, gold chain laden, and pittying fools? Because that would be epic.
I've been looking for the gold chain, but I don't think they have any jewelry in game. :(

But that's why I made him! Has a hawk, is a pugilist, as well as a fan of launching mini nukes into giants.

[OrangePulp]

For those of you worrying about unloading ammo from a gun, they don't actually hold any unless you're equipping one. When you highlight them in the inventory, it'll tell you it's got 22/234 for ammo or the like, but it's not actually loaded with 22 bullets; it's just there to give you an idea of how much killing you can do with the ammo on hand.

[Sazime]

For those of you worrying about unloading ammo from a gun, they don't actually hold any unless you're equipping one. When you highlight them in the inventory, it'll tell you it's got 22/234 for ammo or the like, but it's not actually loaded with 22 bullets; it's just there to give you an idea of how much killing you can do with the ammo on hand.
I noticed that too. Way better than S.T.A.L.A.K.E.R. where all guns held ammo unless you unloaded them.

Can I also say how happy I am with how they implements FPS combat in ToS engine? Just the right about of random with low level skill sets as well as extra VAT time with trained weapons (it seems). And the weapons are spread out across the skills juuuuuust right. :)

[Rune_74]

So like I said earlier, despite my misgivings I have picked up the Collector's Edition. I said this stuff in the console haven thread, but it seems this thread has since become the victor.

Some slight spoilers below, if you haven't left the vault.

I started last night, and just made way to Megaton. I am playing as Rayne Desskoo, the post apocalyptic/cyberpunk/antihero who fled the vault after murdering the Overseer for what he did to my father and his partner, and also killed Butch for being a dick.

I like what I have seen so far, Megaton is fucking rad looking. I am hoping to put some good time into it this weekend, but we wll see, what with the festivities and all.

I'm glad to hear you like it, noticed many posts looking to find out if it was for you. So many people forget that its about whats fun not what fits into a formula.

[Variable Gear]

I just wanted to say that the...

"Those!" quest


...was a pain in the ass.

I am now a level 8 good guy, and I'm liking the game for the most part. I have to agree that the animations aren't great, that VATS is a requirement for success, and that the FPS mechanics don't work as well as they should, but damn if the game isn't fun.

I will also say that Bethesda really missed an opportunity to...

Experiment with a larger sense of scale in terms of enemy encounters in the "Big Trouble in Big Town" quest. It was anticlimactic when I taught the villagers to defend themselves from the Super Mutants (by wasting all the ammo I had) in order to fight three Super Mutants as they attempted to cross a thin bridge to Bigtown. With my chainsaw. I didn't even think the mission was over when all the NPCs started reverting to their standard routine. I was thinking, "there's gotta be more of them....right?" And there weren't any more.


I was kinda disappointed how that quest turned out.

I was also confused for around 20 minutes when...

I entered Rivet City for the first time in order to find Brian a new home, as the final part of the "Those!" quest. I was trying to find his aunt, and I somehow entered the marketplace when the door displayed green help text, which signifies an A-ok to do whatever you want without moral impact, but immediately after entered the room the chef would always run from his post and step up towards me. Sometimes multiple characters would crowd me. If it was just the chef, I just took steps back until I couldn't anymore, and then he'd pull out a knife and try to attack me. This caused the entire place to target me. If I was surrounded by a mob of people I would try to jump over them, but I would always make contact with one of them and then I'd have to fight them all. On the third or fourth reload, I figured out what the fuck was going on. It was supremely odd because before I entered I got an ok from the game, and after I entered I got killed. I never even got close to one of the shops. Someone would always run up to me from their original spot. This continued to irk me until I realized it was closing time for the market.

However, in my opinion, this isn't the way to let the player know that the markets are closed. At worst, they could have decided to have the NPCs tell the player not to linger near the actual stalls where products were being sold, before beating my Player Character to a bloody pulp. At best, they could have intuitively redesigned the system and allowed for different NPCs to staff each stall during the dusk and dawn. Then they could also introduce a mechanic where the two shop staffers have different moral preferences. This wouldn't affect the prices the player had to pay, or items they would have access to, but it would remind the player of the impact they are having in the world, and how their deeds are perceived by the overall population. Instead of doing this, Bethesda shat blood on my face for about half an hour.

From now on, I fear for my life whenever I go to Rivet City.


Here's to another 20 hours in the Capitol Wasteland!

[Hotcod]

i love this game... that is all

[Young Al Capone]

I'm glad to hear you like it, noticed many posts looking to find out if it was for you. So many people forget that its about whats fun not what fits into a formula.

Yeah, it isn't like the old ones but I am enjoying it for what it is.

[Sazime]

I am now a level 8 good guy, and I'm liking the game for the most part. I have to agree that the animations aren't great, that VATS is a requirement for success, and that the FPS mechanics don't work as well as they should, but damn if the game isn't fun.
I've found (well, I think) the FPS mechanics work EXACTLY as they should. When you have low points in a skill, you miss, a lot. Especially if you're far away. It's important to note aim is the most important part of using skills, consider VATs takes care of so much aiming for you.

That being said, 'Ol Painless is my favorite gun yet. And no, I did not give it its name. :)

[DangerousDaze]

I've just left the vault and it's crashed on me three times so far within the space of a few minutes. The last crash meant I had to reboot and I can't be arsed firing it back up again this evening. I was enjoying it up to that point.

[Sazime]

I've just left the vault and it's crashed on me three times so far within the space of a few minutes. The last crash meant I had to reboot and I can't be arsed firing it back up again this evening. I was enjoying it up to that point.
I've had some odd crash issue here and there, which is, unfortunately, not uncommon for Bethsoft's games. I think it's a mix of Havok and the amount of data streaming that happens while you move. I would try scaling down your view/fade distances and seeing if that helps.

[ClannerDelta]

I've just left the vault and it's crashed on me three times so far within the space of a few minutes. The last crash meant I had to reboot and I can't be arsed firing it back up again this evening. I was enjoying it up to that point.

There are some fairly widespread crashing issues. Any specifics on where you crashed? Was it outdoors or did you enter a small building?

I only crash when I have Vsync off and I enter a small building without an NPC in it. It's very specific for me. You might try forcing Vsync on or playing in Windowed mode for the time being. As that seems to fix some of the crashing issues.

They really dropped the ball on reliability. Their support forum is just ablaze with posts. It's pretty bad.

[Virtual Machine]

Yay for magic PC's!

[Hotcod]

These game really is remarkable in a lot of ways... it's in some ways really got to me and in other has made me laugh out loud and yet it all fits together and make sense in the world... it awesome.

One of the things that really got to me was the land mine town. once you get the key for the houses off the crazy sniper dude i went and had a look about and i don't know... the atmosphere was almost heart braking in them... and as for laughing out loud, the crazy store lady is good but... naughty nightwear!

Oh and is there anyway to tone down the effects while in vats... while the rest of the game rooms really really smooth the vats just really chokes up my system and it's a pain in the ass to have to wait a few seconds before i can click on anything and such... i could just tone down the over all settings but i don't need to

edit:

Hmmmms seems it's an issue with geforce 86/800 cards that is "fixed" by turning AA off... i'm only running with AA on 2 but still it's a pain in the ass if i have to turn AA off to make what is a "small part" run well

[andru]

Wow this game's been awesome and I love my new bobblehead on my desk :D

But after a few hours into this game, has anyone gotten to the Chryslus building? I'm not sure if I shouldn't be there and I'm too low level - I've literally killed every single enemy in the building but I fell into some hole leading to the lower levels of the building - and it seems like the only way out is to lock pick a door (which I'm too low for). Is there any other way to open locked doors other than lockpicking? I'd hate to reload an earlier save from before I entered because I picked up so much experience and awesome stuf.

[DangerousDaze]

Any specifics on where you crashed? Was it outdoors or did you enter a small building?
I was just heading towards the first objective after leaving the vault. No more than a couple of minute's walk. I'll try dialling down the settings. Thanks.

[Soap]

Yay, I finally found Dogmeat! He was getting pummelled by some Raiders in the Scrapyard near Minefield town. Those bitches met their deaths at the hands of my deadly hunting rifle.

Now it's just me and mah dog, roaming the wasteland for some gasoline. Mad Max style.

[RandoM51]

Switching to the latest nvidia beta drivers got rid of my crashing issues.

Finished the main quest line a little while ago. Only had 9 bobble heads at the end, need to go back and do some hardcore exploring to find the rest.

Just a head's up but when you go to the Enclave base late in the main quest line the energy weapon bobble head is in there and you have to get it before you finish the quest there because you can't go back.

[Squidbot]

Yay, I finally found Dogmeat! He was getting pummelled by some Raiders in the Scrapyard near Minefield town. Those bitches met their deaths at the hands of my deadly hunting rifle.

Now it's just me and mah dog, roaming the wasteland for some gasoline. Mad Max style.

You beat me to it, Soap :D

Location of Dogmeat below:
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v230/linvuiet/dogmeatloc.jpg

Now to re-enact a boy and his dog ;)

EDIT: Man, I love the way he growls and snarls when there are enemies near.

[alienmastermind]

Fallout 3 Moments that I will treasure forever:

1. Outside Super Duper Mart...Raiders and their slaves arguing about a refrigerator full of purified water. The leader offered me caps to help them put down the uprising. I took the caps, and watched the fight. The second the dust cleared, the slaves had been killed, unfortunately, but the Raiders were all raggedy. Then, I began headshotting them in VATS, taking all of the water for myself.

2. Will be in an upcoming Dipswitch. :)

3. Promising to use the pistol only in an emergency to the girl at the beginning, and shooting the first cop in the head, resulting in a crit. Ker-splattidy.

This game is my catharsis for all the 'Paragon' 'Good Jedi' Nicey nicey ending crap I've done compulsively since day frickin' one of gaming. My God, Bethesda created a monster.

Also, for all you PC chappies out there with issues...um, I've got the 360 edition (I.E. the computer edition that doesn't require constant funds or tweaking to play)...only one glitch. When you sit down for the G.O.A.T. in the wrong chair...you just sit there.

For a very long time.

Essentially, your life will be spent in SAT proctor hell...this was truly a dystopian future.

[Squidbot]

Also, for all you PC chappies out there with issues....

What issues? I has magic pc!

I saw that chair bug on the 360 version, that must be annoying as hell.

[Hotcod]

Ya it's horrid putting up with a few issues to play a vastly better looking game with better controls and which in the long run will have a hell of a lot of free content... ho hum :P

Talking of issues turn off AA has sorted my vats problem and the jagies anit to bad, my game still looks better than the 360 stuff i saw my friend playing today but they do annoy me... hopefully something in the patch will fix it up for me heh

[Sazime]

Finished the main quest line a little while ago. Only had 9 bobble heads at the end, need to go back and do some hardcore exploring to find the rest.
The first one is right at the beginning of the game. If you don't get it then, I'm not sure if you can go back for it.

Another was in Rivet City at another critical junction. You won't miss it if you're looking, but again, not sure if it'd be there later.

The others I've found have been in areas that are visitable any time, but can be a pain to get to. Depends on how you get there.

[Slack3r78]

Switching to the latest nvidia beta drivers got rid of my crashing issues.
What I hate are people like you who seem to have 'magic' PCs that run everything.

[DangerousDaze]

only one glitch. When you sit down for the G.O.A.T. in the wrong chair...you just sit there.

For a very long time.

Essentially, your life will be spent in SAT proctor hell...this was truly a dystopian future.

I think I read that that can be fixed by saving and reloading.

[carnage11]

There's already an xp glitch exploit. lmao. im sure it will get patched out though.


You can gain infinite XP if your speech skill is high enough.(My speech was about 30 at the time). Go to town called "Big Town" located north of Vault 101.If you spoke with a girl named Bittercup she should tell you about her dating exploits. After speaking with her, go into the house marked "Common House" and speak to a man named Pappy. There should be a speech skill dialogue option that says "You came here with Bittercup, right?" You will get XP every time you click it. (I got 6XP with each click). Continue to do this and you can rack up XP in mere seconds. Bethesda has not yet patched this glitch.


i haven't tried it yet, i don't really like to cheat. at least not until ive played through it a few times. if anyone tries it out and it works let me know.

[Widgetcraft]

There's already an xp glitch exploit. lmao. im sure it will get patched out though.


You can gain infinite XP if your speech skill is high enough.(My speech was about 30 at the time). Go to town called "Big Town" located north of Vault 101.If you spoke with a girl named Bittercup she should tell you about her dating exploits. After speaking with her, go into the house marked "Common House" and speak to a man named Pappy. There should be a speech skill dialogue option that says "You came here with Bittercup, right?" You will get XP every time you click it. (I got 6XP with each click). Continue to do this and you can rack up XP in mere seconds. Bethesda has not yet patched this glitch.


i haven't tried it yet, i don't really like to cheat. at least not until ive played through it a few times. if anyone tries it out and it works let me know.

...Does it matter? It's a single-player game. Hell, you can easily manipulate your character with console commands, just as in Oblivion.

[carnage11]

...Does it matter? It's a single-player game. Hell, you can easily manipulate your character with console commands, just as in Oblivion.

im playing on 360.

[Vandabo]

I also heard of an infinite xp exploit that happens when companies don't allow killing of kids... Evidently if you have the "Mister Sandman" perk (lvl 10 perk, allows you to instantly and silently kill sleeping characters) and you try to kill a sleeping child, it gives you the xp, but doesn't kill them and doesn't give you bad karma, so you can just keep 'killing' them over and over and getting xp for it.

I haven't tried it yet, I'm gonna try it on my next playthrough though, assuming it hasn't been patched by then.

[carnage11]

Well I tried the cheat in Big Town and it works. I saved my game ran to the town and did the exploit a bunch of times and then I just loaded my old save. It's not the greatest cheat as it takes quite a while to get enough xp. I was level 4 almost to level 5 and I did it long enough to get the Silver-Tongued Devil achievement. I got about half way to level 6. At level 4 you get about 6 xp for each time you do it. You can do it pretty quick, but it's pretty time consuming and probably not worth it. Also, at a speech level of 40 my percentage was at 65% so I would lose a few times and when you lose that percentage goes down. If you can get it up to 100% then you could probably get it going pretty fast.

[alienmastermind]

Ya it's horrid putting up with a few issues to play a vastly better looking game with better controls and which in the long run will have a hell of a lot of free content... ho hum :P

Talking of issues turn off AA has sorted my vats problem and the jagies anit to bad, my game still looks better than the 360 stuff i saw my friend playing today but they do annoy me... hopefully something in the patch will fix it up for me heh

My only beef with PC versions of games, is that when a new game comes out for the PC, you will not be playing the best possible version of that game due to the freedom of PC ownership, and no 'standard' to which the game is built to. I prefer a PC experience when possible...but dammit, I can't afford continuously pursuing the perfect gaming engine, when I can make one purchase every four years that isn't overtly and overly prohibitive.

I'd like to see a side by side screenshot of an average current PC and 360/PS3 game. Most times, I can't imagine how anyone would say 'Gee! It looks SOOOO much better on my middle of the road PC than it does on dedicated gaming hardware.'

But I digress, I love the PC, and that's why I love my 360; a gimped computer that just runs games and sometimes burns up from the inside with a friendly red circle of doom like the Eye of Sauron.

[alienmastermind]

What I hate are people like you who seem to have 'magic' PCs that run everything.

If I could ban you for no reason, I would.

You can be the 'honored guest' of jumping up my butt.

That was a good EvAv joke right? I wasn't there so is it too soon fer pokin' of the funs?

[Kelegacy]

For those of you worrying about unloading ammo from a gun, they don't actually hold any unless you're equipping one. When you highlight them in the inventory, it'll tell you it's got 22/234 for ammo or the like, but it's not actually loaded with 22 bullets; it's just there to give you an idea of how much killing you can do with the ammo on hand.

Yeah, I was a noob when I asked that question. Did a bit of experimenting and found the same thing out. Ammo comes out of your inventory, not the actual gun.

Great game, loving it immensely. I didn't even read the manual, and for some stupid reason I didn't realize you can queue up multiple attacks in VATS. Yeah, I'm that dumb. I remember them talking about it in the interviews and videos, but it took me a while before I accidentally attacked twice in VATS. Man...for a while there I was attacking once, then hitting the VATS button again. Now I'm taking down enemies MUCH easier.

Still can't believe I was that dumb.

This is hands down my GoTY. Can't get enough of these types of games, ones that reward my penchant for exploration, hoarding, violence and total immersion. And it really DOES feel like Fallout. Some of it does remind you of Oblivion, but this is definitely Fallout. Not Oblivion: With Guns.

EDIT: Oh, and I don't know if I like the karma system or not. In Oblivion I could steal as much as I wanted as long as I didn't get caught. Here, I feel naughty (and am treated as such by the system) for stealing. I can't NOT steal in RPGs. As a result I went from immensely good to neutral. As this rate, I'm going to be "evil" just for stealing.

[Sazime]

My only beef with PC versions of games, is that when a new game comes out for the PC, you will not be playing the best possible version of that game due to the freedom of PC ownership, and no 'standard' to which the game is built to. I prefer a PC experience when possible...but dammit, I can't afford continuously pursuing the perfect gaming engine, when I can make one purchase every four years that isn't overtly and overly prohibitive.

I'd like to see a side by side screenshot of an average current PC and 360/PS3 game. Most times, I can't imagine how anyone would say 'Gee! It looks SOOOO much better on my middle of the road PC than it does on dedicated gaming hardware.'

But I digress, I love the PC, and that's why I love my 360; a gimped computer that just runs games and sometimes burns up from the inside with a friendly red circle of doom like the Eye of Sauron.
I agree with the idea of having 'Standards' in the PC world. Unfortunately, no matter what people do to try and band together those ideals are washed away by marketing muck.

FO3 on the 360 looks great, imo. If I had a mouse, keyboard and the ability to use mods I probably would have grabbed it there. Anything I can stand to play on a massive tv, I will. :)

[Kelegacy]

Also, how does the food sterilizer or whatever it's called work? It says it's supposed to clean the food and make it better for me, but I'm still getting radiation from it. Or, is it supposed to just give you more health? Now that I think about it, I definitely think it gives me more for each food item I use, though I tend not to eat food (I saved and tested it out to see WTF the food cleaner did).

I'd use food more frequently if it took out the radiation in food, but it doesn't appear to. Ah well.

[astranoir]

Also, how does the food sterilizer or whatever it's called work? It says it's supposed to clean the food and make it better for me, but I'm still getting radiation from it. Or, is it supposed to just give you more health? Now that I think about it, I definitely think it gives me more for each food item I use, though I tend not to eat food (I saved and tested it out to see WTF the food cleaner did).

I'd use food more frequently if it took out the radiation in food, but it doesn't appear to. Ah well.

Its description says it kills the bacteria in food, allowing you to get more benefit from it, so I assumed it meant you got a little more health from your food, though I didn't check to make a comparison. It definitely doesn't have anything to do with radiation, even though that is what I would have originally assumed.

[Sazime]

All I know is that at lvl 19 and a Medcal skill ~70, I rarely eat food.

[ClannerDelta]

Is there a trick to using the minigun? As I have 100ish points into Big Guns and it takes half a clip to kill anything. Where as my 10mm pistol with 19 small weapon skill kills things faster. I wish I was joking. 700 5mm rounds to kill three super mutants just seems... inefficient.

[Sazime]

Is there a trick to using the minigun? As I have 100ish points into Big Guns and it takes half a clip to kill anything. Where as my 10mm pistol with 19 small weapon skill kills things faster. I wish I was joking. 700 5mm rounds to kill three super mutants just seems... inefficient.
I don't have the same issue at all. If I did, killing Death Claws would have done me in.

[ClannerDelta]

I don't have the same issue at all. If I did, killing Death Claws would have done me in.

Any tips then? Do you aim for a specific point or what? I agree that it sounds ridiculous, but I just have no explanation for why it would be doing such low damage. The flamethrower on the other hand.. Faces, they get raped.

[cppcrusader]

Well, it looks like my enjoyment of Fallout is about to start for real now. I've installed all the XP updates that I had pending, including SP3, updated to the latest nVidia drivers, turned off AA, and updated DirectX to the August 08 build. I was able to play for over an hour, maybe more I wasn't really paying attention to the time, without a crash. The only reason I had to stop was the dog needed to go out.

I may try turning AA back on later to see if I can get away with having it on without upsetting the balance.

[Sazime]

Any tips then? Do you aim for a specific point or what? I agree that it sounds ridiculous, but I just have no explanation for why it would be doing such low damage. The flamethrower on the other hand.. Faces, they get raped.
I use it up close, for the most part. Any distance, and the thing is wildly inaccurate. If you're too far, it's spray and prey. I find it best for close, single targets. How's your Endurance? It governs Big Guns.

The best long range big gun, imo, is the missile launcher. But if you're up close and have the AP, body shots with minigun can lay waste to folks.

[ClannerDelta]

I use it up close, for the most part. Any distance, and the thing is wildly inaccurate. If you're too far, it's spray and prey. I find it best for close, single targets. How's your Endurance? It governs Big Guns.

The best long range big gun, imo, is the missile launcher. But if you're up close and have the AP, body shots with minigun can lay waste to folks.

End is like 8 or 9. Though I've been trying to use it medium range. I tend to avoid being anywhere near the enemy. I'll try the meatgrinder approach. I probably should have picked Small guns in hind sight for the rifles. :p

Then.. then I wouldn't get to enjoy my Fat Man so much. Hmmm...

[Sazime]

End is like 8 or 9. Though I've been trying to use it medium range. I tend to avoid being anywhere near the enemy. I'll try the meatgrinder approach. I probably should have picked Small guns in hind sight for the rifles. :p

Then.. then I wouldn't get to enjoy my Fat Man so much. Hmmm...
I tell you what, I totally changed my game plan when I found out how much damage small guns can do and the amount of shots you can take with my AP. Same with Energy Weapons. Plasma Rifles are my body gibbing friend. :)

[Deadend]

I kinda am thinking about rolling up an evil mean man who uses a pistol with such skill that he shoots the gun out of everyones hands, then shoots the heads off.

As pistols can do some really good damage due to crits.

[bean]

Here's the thing on weapons. . . they are all really fun and all kind of rock. :) So, I kind of got good at EVERYTHING, but only topped out a few of them (Once you get the high-end energy weapons nothing beats a plasma rifle for damage/shot except missile launchers, the fat man, and flame-throwers. . . but each of these have their drawbacks of either really long reload times and devastating splash damage or requiring that you get very close).

However, all weapons are fairly accurate when you use them in "active time" rather than VATS, and if you don't mind scrounging about, you'll always have enough stim-packs to get the job done and everything is easy to hit from close up as long as you have a small amount of points in the skill. Hmm, I'll write some tips:

When selecting your attributes, be sure to raise your INT and AGI but leave one point off of them for when you get your bobble-head bonus. Intelligence gives you more skill points every level so raise it may be the most important attribute. Agility gives you more action points to spend in VATS. Your other skills are important to have at least 5 in, though you can sink charisma all the way down if you like. You can make up the bad scores in CHA related skills by using skill points later on; the only drawback is you won't have access to a few fun perks that open up new conversation choices like Lady-Killer (talk to the ladies well) and Child-at-Heart (talk to kids well).
Small Guns is a great skill to raise early on as you'll always have great small guns dropping off everything, but your focus should be on raising lockpicking, science, speech, and medicine if you want full access to all the fun other routes in the game. Even with my Stealth maxed out with a stealth boy, I found stealth to not work well enough to be any fun, so you can sink it if you like. Big guns is another easy sink because they all tend to be easy to fire in active battle. You'll want to get explosion up to at least 35-45 (not sure) to be able to disarm mines as these are great for money and xp, but otherwise don't invest in it.
I should have made more bullets for all of these. . . Repair also opens up different story options and is great for keeping your inventory manageable. If you have good repair, you can turn those 8 guns you picked up and are currently crawling around with into 2 PERFECT guns that you can either use or sell for as many caps as if you lugged 8 of them back to a vendor. These are nearly all REALLY long quests, so you'll want to raise this up as soon as you can. I tagged it on my second playthrough.
The bobbleheads are awesome and are a bit like mini levels. I didn't find them all, but my first "quest" on my second playthrough will be to go to the easier locations and pick them up.

[Nameless]

I both love and hate the openness in this world because I messed up the main quest line. The rest will be in spoilers:

So I've just started the game, and am out exploring the southwest of the wasteland when I happen upon Vault 112. I end up going into the Tranquility Lane sequence without knowing what I was doing. So I'm there and now I find out that my dad is in here? My character seems to know this even though I haven't even been to Rivet City yet. Cool sequence, but I wish I had known going in.

I guess it's just a fact for the open-world games. On the one hand, it's annoying that I sort of skipped ahead a bit in the story because I blundered into an area I shouldn't have known about, but on the other hand, it is pretty cool that the game didn't try to artificially stop me ("You can't go here! The building is closed!", etc.). I'll get over it, I just want to know what I missed, but I guess I'll have to wait for my next playthrough.

[Sazime]

I both love and hate the openness in this world because I messed up the main quest line. The rest will be in spoilers:

So I've just started the game, and am out exploring the southwest of the wasteland when I happen upon Vault 112. I end up going into the Tranquility Lane sequence without knowing what I was doing. So I'm there and now I find out that my dad is in here? My character seems to know this even though I haven't even been to Rivet City yet. Cool sequence, but I wish I had known going in.

I guess it's just a fact for the open-world games. On the one hand, it's annoying that I sort of skipped ahead a bit in the story because I blundered into an area I shouldn't have known about, but on the other hand, it is pretty cool that the game didn't try to artificially stop me ("You can't go here! The building is closed!", etc.). I'll get over it, I just want to know what I missed, but I guess I'll have to wait for my next playthrough.
For the spoilered part.
Yeah, you just bypassed a lot of tracking, but you'll have plenty of time to do those other things. :)

[ClannerDelta]

I guess it's just a fact for the open-world games. On the one hand, it's annoying that I sort of skipped ahead a bit in the story because I blundered into an area I shouldn't have known about, but on the other hand, it is pretty cool that the game didn't try to artificially stop me ("You can't go here! The building is closed!", etc.). I'll get over it, I just want to know what I missed, but I guess I'll have to wait for my next playthrough.

I did the EXACT same thing. I thought finding a secret door in a Garage made me awesome. Then I found out I messed things up. Though, on the plus side, you'll be able to loot a ton of Power Armor and Heavy Weapons at the GNR building. You might also feel bad because they died... because you weren't there to save them. :(

[Deadend]

If I want to use Power Armor, do I have to do the main story, or can I get it via side quests?