Alright boyz, here we go!!! Fallout 3 first impressions thread!

[WSUCougar]

Originally Posted by Radii

There is an alternative:

Spoiler

There is one lady in Tranquility Lane who has suspicions that its not real who points you towards the abandoned house, where there is puzzle that opens up some stuff that can get you out without killing everyone yourself.

I'm really not sure what it was about it, but Tranquility Lane was probably my favorite part of the game, it was such an out of place surreal experience but it felt perfect to me

Spoiler

Yup, I encountered her and (thought) that I had really scoured the abandoned house for any possibilities. Hmmm.

[Peregrine]

Originally Posted by WSUCougar

Spoiler

Yup, I encountered her and (thought) that I had really scoured the abandoned house for any possibilities. Hmmm.

Extra-strong spoiler about Tranquility Lane (beware if you haven't gottent there yet) :

Spoiler

At times the bad guy will whistle a tune - in the abandoned house you can click on various items that will sound musical notes - basically you can play a version of the tune with them (with a lot of trial and error) as a sort of musical password.

[Peregrine]

So I'm playing through the game again with a new character, with a restriction. I found combat far too easy on Normal, especially when you get the really powerful weapons. So I switched to Hard, and am restricting myself to only pistol weapons - basically small gun and energy pistols, and SMGs which are also considered pistols by the game. I'm also trying to spread my points widely in a lot of skills.

So far it's quite tough, ammo is very precious as it takes more ammo for me to take out the bad guys - also I have no real long-range weapon, so I have to be much more careful about sneaking around raider camps, etc. I've found it very entertaining and a challenge so far at level 5.

[WSUCougar]

Originally Posted by Peregrine

Extra-strong spoiler about Tranquility Lane (beware if you haven't gottent there yet) :

Spoiler

At times the bad guy will whistle a tune - in the abandoned house you can click on various items that will sound musical notes - basically you can play a version of the tune with them (with a lot of trial and error) as a sort of musical password.

Spoiler

Ah-ha! I knew it had to be the tone gnome!

[MikeVic]

Started to play this... level 4 right now.

Spoiler

Is there a bed or something in the house you get in Megaton? I couldn't find one and a friend said there is one... I don't want to pay money to use a bed, or waste food/stimpaks to heal. I find it kind of dumb that you can't use the Common House beds... it's a common house!

[Tasan]

Originally Posted by MikeVic

Started to play this... level 4 right now.

Spoiler

Is there a bed or something in the house you get in Megaton? I couldn't find one and a friend said there is one... I don't want to pay money to use a bed, or waste food/stimpaks to heal. I find it kind of dumb that you can't use the Common House beds... it's a common house!

Spoiler

The bed is upstairs in the room with the desk.

Okay that felt like the silliest spoiler ever.

[MikeVic]

Originally Posted by Tasan

Spoiler

The bed is upstairs in the room with the desk.

Okay that felt like the silliest spoiler ever.

LOL, ok, maybe I just missed it. I tend to play this game late so I'll chalk it up to that. Thanks.

[Neon_Chaos]

Wow. Just picked it up over the weekend for the 360, and I am loving this game.

I will echo Izulde's comments that if you've played Fallout 1 and Fallout 2, the level of satisfaction you get by playing the Vault Dweller in first-person mode is ridiculous. I actually feel like I'm in his shoes wandering around a desolate wasteland.

[PineTar]

GNR...

Spoiler

Am I the only one who chose to kill Three Dog? Listening to GNR after Three Dog's death leads to some pretty amusing commentary.

[Peregrine]

GNR

Spoiler

Wow, I didn't even know you could do that. What do you do, just show up at the Studios and start shooting? Or is there some kind of a quest for that?

[Eaglesfan27]

Originally Posted by PineTar

GNR...

Spoiler

Am I the only one who chose to kill Three Dog? Listening to GNR after Three Dog's death leads to some pretty amusing commentary.

GNR

Spoiler

I didn't even think to do that either. Very cool. I plan on replaying as an evil character, so I'll try that next time.

[PineTar]

Originally Posted by Peregrine

GNR

Spoiler

Wow, I didn't even know you could do that. What do you do, just show up at the Studios and start shooting? Or is there some kind of a quest for that?

Spoiler

Not a quest. After I finished the dish quest for him, I realized that he wasn't going to be of any more value to me, so my very very evil character put a .44 in the back of his head for fun and took his headband and glasses as a trophy and enjoyed never having to hear the "Three Dog Howl" on GNR ever again.

[SackAttack]

So I was on the other side of the river the other night, and a super mutant brute somehow managed to get stuck in the river with a raider. I put the raider out of his misery, and then try to get a good angle on taking out the SMB...'cept he was under the dock and suddenly popped up THROUGH it.

First time in 25 years I soiled myself.

[Axxon]

Originally Posted by PineTar

Spoiler

Not a quest. After I finished the dish quest for him, I realized that he wasn't going to be of any more value to me, so my very very evil character put a .44 in the back of his head for fun and took his headband and glasses as a trophy and enjoyed never having to hear the "Three Dog Howl" on GNR ever again.

You know, even in the wasteland, if you don't like what's on the radio you can always change the channel.

[WSUCougar]

Okay, second run, fresh out of the vault. I headed southwest and encountered this bizarre thing near an elevated highway ruin. It's hard to describe - sort of a tangle of lines dancing in the wind. At first I thought it was a video glitch, but as it danced its way around and over toward me I'm not so sure. I tried shooting at it, and "E" activating/talking to it, but couldn't do either. Anyone else encounter this?

[BYU 14]

Was on my way to Rivet City and got attacked by 2 Super Mutants in an elevated walkway between 2 buildings right after you meet the first Rivet City security patrol.

We start fighting them together and the Security patrolman gets taken out by a rocket. I blast the arm off of the Mutant with the launcher and make my way along the side of a ramp to snipe at the other one, who has a mini-gun. We have a pitched battle going for close to a minute, with both of us poking our heads out, getting off a few shots and taking cover.

I am about ready to finish him, when suddenly the sonofabitch drops the mini-gun, picks up his dead companions rocket launcher off the ground and fires off a missile at me! Literally made me jump when I saw that missile coming at me. I was able to get just enough cover to shield some damage from the blast, which left me at 2 bars of health. Jumped out and went to VATS to take him out as he was reloading.

Just think it was real cool how he picked up his buddies weapon when his was broke/out of ammo.

[WSUCougar]

Originally Posted by BYU 14

Literally made me jump when I saw that missile coming at me.

Yeah, that defintely gets the blood pumping. I just had a pitched battle with four raiders...I was backing up an escalator as I emerged from a Metro station (the Raiders were up above the station), popped one in the head with a crit from my assault rifle, but then suddenly a rocket goes whoosing over my head and explodes behind me. CRIPES!!! I went to VATS to knock it out of their hand, then went to work cleaning up.

[astrosfan64]

Anyone play the PC and XBOX 360 version. Trying to determine which is better for this game.

I have a real nice PC and monitor and I prefer FPS style games on my PC. But, I really did like Oblivion on my 360.

What do you guys think>?

[Eaglesfan27]

I'm glad I got it on the 360. The advantages for me of the 360 are:

- Big Screen TV on which the game looks great.

- Surround system is much better (i.e. non-existent on PC) and the surround sounds are really well done.

- The 360 controller is a natural fit for this game.

Edit to add: My PC is getting a bit old, and I think I would have had to tweak graphic settings a fair bit, whereas I don't have to worry about that on the 360.

[RainMaker]

Ok, I'm new to RPG style games and the Fallout Series. Been doing a lot of exploring. Little confused though by interacting. Here is a situation I ran into:

Spoiler

I meet some girl in the wastelands at her ranch. She says she left Moriarity and he is sending his goons after her. I tell her to give me the bottlecaps and I'll pay him. So I meet up with Moriarity later and there is no mention of this or ability to pay him. Did I just rip her off? Was she just a pointless character?

[BYU 14]

Originally Posted by RainMaker

Ok, I'm new to RPG style games and the Fallout Series. Been doing a lot of exploring. Little confused though by interacting. Here is a situation I ran into:

Spoiler

I meet some girl in the wastelands at her ranch. She says she left Moriarity and he is sending his goons after her. I tell her to give me the bottlecaps and I'll pay him. So I meet up with Moriarity later and there is no mention of this or ability to pay him. Did I just rip her off? Was she just a pointless character?

Spoiler

Just ask Moriarty about your Dad, if you string him along he will eventually mention her, or you can use the caps from her to pay him for info on your dad

[thesloppy]

I had to reinstall windows over the past week, and as a result lost my saved games. Restarted with basically the exact same character, but I'm impressed at how different my second game is evolving.

[astrosfan64]

Originally Posted by Eaglesfan27

I'm glad I got it on the 360. The advantages for me of the 360 are:

- Big Screen TV on which the game looks great.

- Surround system is much better (i.e. non-existent on PC) and the surround sounds are really well done.

- The 360 controller is a natural fit for this game.

Edit to add: My PC is getting a bit old, and I think I would have had to tweak graphic settings a fair bit, whereas I don't have to worry about that on the 360.

Thanks for the info EF27

[Calis]

Originally Posted by astrosfan64

Anyone play the PC and XBOX 360 version. Trying to determine which is better for this game.

I have a real nice PC and monitor and I prefer FPS style games on my PC. But, I really did like Oblivion on my 360.

What do you guys think>?

I bought it on PC and rented it on 360 this weekend just to check it out.

I vastly prefer the PC version. Nothing wrong with the 360 version but if you have a decent PC(Which you do it sounds like it) you should definitely go with it. It's a much better looking game, and being able to beef up the draw distance and add other graphical goodies is a huge difference. Really no contest in my book if you have the option of both. The interface is a bit cumbersome, but not really any moreso than on the 360, and you can use a 360 controlled on the PC version if you want.

That with the added potential of mods which made Oblivion/Morrowind exponentially better games were enough reasons for me.

[Eaglesfan27]

Regarding the Museum of Technology:

Spoiler

I went through the whole Vault tour expecting something to jump out at me, and when it didn't, I guess it got my guard down. I was just watching the planetarium show (which is nicely done) as 2 mutants scared the crap out of me where I actually jumped out of my seat.

[Neon_Chaos]

Originally Posted by Eaglesfan27

Regarding the Museum of Technology:

Spoiler

I went through the whole Vault tour expecting something to jump out at me, and when it didn't, I guess it got my guard down. I was just watching the planetarium show (which is nicely done) as 2 mutants scared the crap out of me where I actually jumped out of my seat.

Spoiler

Same here! I actually let go of my controller after seeing them run at me.

[EagleFan]

I'm probably way behind everyone but had one hell of a fun time trying to get past my recent predicament.

Spoiler

Coming out of the subway near the rado station (I believe) and out of ammo. I had only 2 mines and a Chinese officer's sword to use and there were 4 Raiders at the top of the stairs. I had to try this several times until I finally got through it as one of the Raiders had a rocket launcher and that one never got within range (most of the time).

I ended up storming up the stairs and getting the first two with the sword but was under heavy fire so I didn't have time to loot. After taking cover I placed a couple of mines near a walk way and snuck around the other side, popping my head out once to see where the enemy was. They spotted me (actually what I was hoping) and one headed around behind me and tripped a mine. The other took cover and fired at me whenever I popped my head up. Luckily the mine took out the one with the rocket launcher. I was able to get close enough to jump out and make a charge with the sword and ran him through. I was VERY low on health and was able to loot their camp for some suplies and ammo.

I have to say, this game rocks!!!

Not sure if any of that can be considered a spoiler but I tagged it just in case.

[Tasan]

Originally Posted by Eaglesfan27

Regarding the Museum of Technology:

Spoiler

I went through the whole Vault tour expecting something to jump out at me, and when it didn't, I guess it got my guard down. I was just watching the planetarium show (which is nicely done) as 2 mutants scared the crap out of me where I actually jumped out of my seat.

Ditto Ditto Ditto. Nearly pissed my pants.

[Tasan]

On another note, I've decided to plow through the story now. There are a couple of places I'd still like to visit, but I think I'll save those for another runthrough of the game. I love this game.

[MikeVic]

There seems to be multiple different paths you can take with the Arefu thing.

[MikeVic]

test

timestamp bug WTF!!

[MikeVic]

Looks like Sack and EF27 posted from tomorrow morning... cool.

[Ronnie Dobbs2]

Originally Posted by MikeVic

Looks like Sack and EF27 posted from tomorrow morning... cool.

Yeah, glad to know I'm not the only one. This thread has been pinned to the top for me all day.

[Tasan]

Well I finished it this afternoon.

Spoiler

A little laid back at the end. Save at the very end, because there are 2 ethical choices you can make that give a few mildly different ending videos. All in all, a lot of fun, especially escaping Raven Rock. I'm definitely going back and playing pure evil, I wound up a goodie two shoes at the end.

[Eaglesfan27]

Originally Posted by Tasan

On another note, I've decided to plow through the story now. There are a couple of places I'd still like to visit, but I think I'll save those for another runthrough of the game. I love this game.

I'm at the same point. I want to explore everything, but I really want to see how the story progresses, so I think I'm going to save plenty of areas for the next run through.

[SackAttack]

Originally Posted by Eaglesfan27

I'm at the same point. I want to explore everything, but I really want to see how the story progresses, so I think I'm going to save plenty of areas for the next run through.

Well, the other thing is that you can handle a lot of areas multiple ways.

I just finished the Arefu quest, and it's pretty clear that there's at least one or two other ways to handle that.

[Neon_Chaos]

I think I figured out what makes this version's atmosphere feel different from the first two games.

Humor. Or the lack thereof.

Despite the bleakness of the world in 1 and 2, there were many points in the games where a small thing made you chuckle and would break the overall gloominess of the game.

FO3 is just brutally bleak and dreary in how it interprets the Fallout universe.

[Eaglesfan27]

I think there are some good small doses of humor in the game:

- Moria (or whatever her name is), the research woman.

- The radio songs (but they also fit in the world.)

- There are a few mildly humorous side storylines I've seen.

But, it is less prevalent than the previous games and that is good with me.

[Tasan]

There's quite a bit of humor in this, though a lot of it is rather dark. Republic of Dave, the Antagonizer vs the Mechanist, most of the friendly robots (your personal robot at your house has some very dark jokes), and some of the friendly ghouls in the Mall are pretty funny. Its in there, its just that there's so much content, it gets spread out there and you have to find it.

[BYU 14]

Theser all sound cool, except for the fact that they are exclusive to the 360. I must admit I am a little miffed they have no current plans for DLC for the PS3

[sabotai]

I would also say that the virtual reality part of the main plot was pretty much filled with humor. I thought so, anyway.

[Calis]

There was some talk earlier about playing through the story and having to save other areas for a later date so I thought people might be interested in this....

Free Play after MQ at Fallout 3 Nexus - Fallout 3 mods and community

If anyone is on the PC version, it's a mod that allows freeplay after the main quest is finished rather than just game over. Pretty handy.

[TazFTW]

For Black Friday, Amazon will be selling Fallout 3 for $39.95 for the PS3 and 360 versions. $29.95 for the PC version.

[MikeVic]

Dammit, I was trying to read about the old games and the page didn't mark something as a spoiler. Now I think I ruined part of the game for myself.

[aran]

So... I'm level 11 and have not found Dogmeat nor any followers/party members. Is there something I should be doing? I've travelled the wasteland a lot and talk to alot of people, but the only potential follower I found was Jericho who won't follow me because I've got more positive karma than Buddha himself.

[gstelmack]

Originally Posted by BYU 14

Theser all sound cool, except for the fact that they are exclusive to the 360. I must admit I am a little miffed they have no current plans for DLC for the PS3

No they aren't exclusive the 360; the PC is getting them too

[thesloppy]

Originally Posted by aran

So... I'm level 11 and have not found Dogmeat nor any followers/party members. Is there something I should be doing? I've travelled the wasteland a lot and talk to alot of people, but the only potential follower I found was Jericho who won't follow me because I've got more positive karma than Buddha himself.

If you're at level 11 you likely just haven't met the available 'good' followers yet. Most of the followers (other than Jericho) seem to be set-up to meet near the midgame, scattered along the way of a variety of the more 'major' quests, so you should probably run into somebody soon (although they may not necessarily be of your alignment). I wouldn't worry about it, the harder you look the longer it'll take.

[BYU 14]

Originally Posted by gstelmack

No they aren't exclusive the 360; the PC is getting them too

That was a cruel twist of the blade

[JonInMiddleGA]

Okay, I know this game has got to be a hard "R" (or M for Mature or whatever) on the basis of violence alone. I get the horror aspect of it too I think but for us parents out there, what's the sex & language level of this truly incredibly awesome sounding game?

[Neon_Chaos]

Originally Posted by JonInMiddleGA

Okay, I know this game has got to be a hard "R" (or M for Mature or whatever) on the basis of violence alone. I get the horror aspect of it too I think but for us parents out there, what's the sex & language level of this truly incredibly awesome sounding game?

There's implied prostitution and profanity.