I really enjoy all things sci-fi and fantasy. As such, it bewilders many of my peers when I mention I've never really played a Fallout game to completion. Alas, my bug (more of a giant bug) phobia has locked me in the position of a over-the-shoulder observer. Never being able to fully experience the radioactive joys collecting bottle caps and hunting super mutants. However, thanks to a recent Fallout 4 announcement, some mods, and one very encouraging 11 year old son, I have gleefully ventured headlong into the wastes of New Vegas.
After watching my son play, and finish Fallout 3, I finally felt it was time to overcome my excessive insect anxieties. Of which, I am proud to admit I have put them behind me (mostly). At the time of writing this article I am thoroughly savoring my time spent within Obsidian's post-apocalyptic playground.
These are the things that freak me out.
My original Fallout experiences initiated with the release of Fallout 3 on the Xbox 360. Since that time, I have grown wiser, and migrated most of my gaming experiences to the PC. Fallout is no exception. I decided not to retread the post nuclear wastes of Washington D.C. Brighter lights, casinos, and tumbleweeds are the where I journey as a lone courier looking for those that have wronged my person.
Given that my son has finished Fallout 3, and moved on to Fallout: New Vegas, I felt it would be more gratifying to play the game alongside him. We've had nothing short of a dozen discussions about the game. Our play styles and strategies could not be more unique from one another, and I think that's fantastic.
Few games give you the choices and hard consequences that you find in a Fallout game. New Vegas is no exception that rule. I have yet to feel I unambiguously made the "right" decision. No matter what you do, some one will dislike your character. Just like in the real world, you can't be everyone's friend.
With all of that being said, this is not a review or discussion detailing the intricacies of Obsidian's story creating capabilities. I instead just wanted to ramble on about how this game is simply engrossing, and best played in parallel with others.
As my son would say, "...like a boss."
As an addendum to this post I wanted to mention mods and thank their creators. Thanks to which, I have been able to remove bugs (the on-holometabolous variety) and make the desolate wastes a post apocalyptic western America both beautiful and terrifying. For a list of mods I recommend please refer to the links below: