Fallout: New Vegas Review

I found myself at a crossroads, as I examined my potential allies and enemies. One road is Caesar's Legion, another road is Mr. House, and the last road leads to the NCR. Which path will I take, or will I forge my own path? That is what Fallout New Vegas is all about, as you interact, help, fight, and betray all of the multiple factions and groups within this wasteland. Unlike Fallout 3, the world is rising from the ashes. No longer are small cities and bands of raiders trying to scavenge what they can. New Vegas is post-post apocalyptic setting. And this is perhaps what I personally love about New Vegas. The player can create the future in his own way, and it's the desire to keep moving forward with the story that keeps the player going. Do you want to NCR to reestablish democracy, or do we need the Caesar's Legion to establish a more tyrannical form of government? Or should you help Mr. House, a man who wants spread is power across the Mojave desert? The choice is yours, and the Fallout series has always been a game about choice.

Fallout New Vegas opens when you're character gets shot because he was carrying a very valuable package. A few days later, you are dug up and you set out to find out who shot you and why. That's much of a weak incentive you will get, but as you dig deeper into this mystery that's when things start to get interesting. What was this package that was taken from this courier what does it mean for the rest of the Mojave Wasteland. One can simply look at Fallout New Vegas as a tale of revenge, but that is a very boring way of looking at it. This is not about the couriers personal story, but rather about the big picture. In a way, it's not the character's personal story that pulls you in, it's the worlds story. There are so many tribes that each have their own reason for their own actions, each faction has its own motives. This is not a story, this is an experience. You change the world you choose to change it, you don't follow down a set path. This is the beauty of all Fallout games. The world is you're playground and it has its own unique set of rules.

There are so many things that make you immersed into this world. I don't use the word of immersion lightly, but Fallout games always pull you in its universe. One is the factions, the fact that their is simply an ongoing conflict between multiple factions makes you have to choose how you interact with these factions. There is a reputation system that depicts your standing with all of the factions and groups. The second thing is the improved voice work. While some characters are not spot on, there is so much dialogue and a few interesting characters to boot. Its not that the characters themselves are particularly cool or likable, but every character has their own story and background. They are all at one place or another for a reason. I could go own, with additions like Hardcore mode and the fact that there is so much to do (like gambling!). Fallout New Vegas is one of the most immersive games you'll ever play. But make no mistake, Fallout New Vegas does has it share of problems.

What holds back Fallout New Vegas the most is something that can be avoided fairly easily, bugs and glitches. There are TONS of them, and within the 20 hours I played, I unfortunately had to reload some of my older saves and that is really disappointing. Their are phasing issues, but that is minuscule compared to the quest glitches, and the occasionalcrash that makes you have to start back from a point that's too far for you're liking. So if you're getting this game, SAVE ALOT. The other issue I may highlight is that the game's engine is beginning to show its age. While it allows the player to travel a huge expanse of the wasteland, there are long loading times when entering houses, hitches in frame rate during large battles, and the characters models walk in that same stiff (and awkward) fashion.

While New Vegas seems a little bit unfinished and a little bit dated, this game is still an amazing single player game that anyone who hasn't played any of the Fallout's should play. People who have played Fallout 3 may be a little disappointed to realize that New Vegas doesn't do much to add to the new formula, but if it ain't broke don't fix it. There is already so much to do in New Vegas that the package stands alone beautifully in its own right.

This game gets a 7.5/10, now before you have you're doubts hear me out. My review scores are not like letter grades where a 75% is a C or average. A 7.5 in my book is actually a pretty good game. When I say the game is good....I MEAN IT'S GOOD. Not forgettable. What prevented this game from being great was all of the bugs. But there are oh so many games that can achieve greatness. Games that I rate 9 or above is once or twice a year situation. I recommend that anyone who hasn't played Fallout or really enjoyed Fallout 3 to buy this game. This game has so much content that it cannot warrant a meager rent.