Fallout: A Post-Nuclear Role-Playing Game

I recently played and completed this game and I must say what a ride it's been. I downloaded it knowing absolutely nothing about it, I didn't even know it was an RPG or how to play at all; when I first put a foot on shady sands I was absolutely scared because I didn't even know there was cities or people out there, just like the character, that's the level of immersion this game has. Only approaching the end of the story I was kind of lost and I had to search for a walkthrough online, but the rest of the gameplay was totally from scratch and natural, and I gotta say the search of the waterchip was one of the greatest adventures a video-game has put me through.

This game doesn't age, give it a shot if you want great characters, great mechanics and a great story.

As most know, Fallout is a post-nuclear role playing game which striking similarities to Wasteland (another RPG, but about 10 years older). With its own excellent turn-based strategy combat, as well as a proprietary role playing system (SPECIAL, somewhat similar to other popular systems with interesting tweaks), Fallout proves itself to be at the top of its genre considering its time frame. Of course, the game has issues (most of which are technical), for instance the game length (approximately 40 hours) is extremely small. But regardless, this game is somewhere near the pinnacle of old-fashioned role playing. Why hadn't you heard of it? Because it came out during the late 90's 3D-FPS rage, and this game is 2D.

I am still quite stunned as to the industry's lack of recognition for this most outstanding game. The game's appeal lies in its charm and atmosphere, both of which are gritty and cold throughout the game. Its sad to see that e-mags like LameSpot and PC Lamer cannot recognize this game as one of the top of its genre. Instead, they are sadly putting their bets on FPS-RPG's which have been trendy lately. Hopefully in 10 years people will look back and admit that Fallout was a classic, much like its unofficial predecessor Wasteland.

With maybe the exception for the sequel. The awesome environments, the freedom to do stuff your way (being evil works, and its fun!), the natural language (f*** and c*** are used, and it sounds good too (in other words not put in there just to be there))

Also it has a wonderful sense of humor.. I can't wait for Fallout 3 (tactics wasn't that great) and Arcanum, I'm hoping they can still keep the same wonderful feeling.

I wouldn't say this game is objectively poor. I think, if the player trying it out is a big fan of old-school point/click adventure type games, they may actually find a lot of enjoyment out of this one. Especially if they enjoy grinding through menial tasks for the sake of a higher level of realism.

However, for fans of more modern RPGs, this won't have the same impact. The beginning is dreadfully slow and poorly designed. Not only is the combat (melee specifically) absolutely dreadful, but the enemies are also in high volume within all the starting areas. Sitting through the combat is almost tortuous, and that's coming from someone who loved the KOTOR series (not all that different in its gameplay niche).

Normally, I can put up with sub-standard gameplay (although typically far, far better than the quality here) for an RPG's story and immersive world, but in this case, I found the world a torture to experience as well. The only credit I can give the exploration is the soundtrack, which might be the only element of this game that stands the test of time. Otherwise, it is every bit as dreadful as the combat. Exploration feels like traversing a lifeless, colorless void. I love the newer fallouts, but their feeling of traversing the waste, while still dark, is a positive sort of isolated wonder, danger, and feeling of dread. This game's version of that is more what I'd call ugly and uniform without much of an atmosphere beyond the soundtrack. Not an immersive element, just another chore to put up with. Even the towns feel dead and utterly lack immersive quality.

Overall, there are some positives to the story, but not enough to outweigh the fact that the main gameplay cycle (exploration and combat) is an absolute pain for me to experience. I understand this game has its niche fanbase that drives the "classic label", but I'm not in it, and I think the fans of it need to at least acknowledge some of the drawbacks in game design rather than just going everywhere touting this as the best RPG ever (often while directing hate towards newer RPGs). There is definitely a difference in taste between me and them that explains the contrasting opinions, but also some very, very rose-tinted glasses.

When it was released - it was a shock for fans of computer role-playing games. It's first game which has so rich and so intelligent plot. Only Fallout 2 can match with this one. Still the best computer role-playing game ever. If something can be the best role-play - Fallout is nearest to the ideal.