Fallout: New Vegas

**Kekvit Irae** · 10-24-2010, 23:56

Originally Posted by LeftEyeNine

I never saw that indeed. Thanks.

By the way, isn't it, uuh, wrong that no dialogue logs nor quest markers show up after such dialogues ? Or does it bolster Vault Dweller's exploration enthusiasm ?

Quest markers only show up if you're on an active quest. Since the quest to defend Goodsprings starts from him, you obviously wont get a marker before then. It was the same in Fallout 3; you're going to have to search around for the people to start quests if you want the markers.

**LeftEyeNine** · 10-25-2010, 09:46

Originally Posted by Kekvit Irae

Quest markers only show up if you're on an active quest. Since the quest to defend Goodsprings starts from him, you obviously wont get a marker before then. It was the same in Fallout 3; you're going to have to search around for the people to start quests if you want the markers.

Having played Fallout Disasthree no more than 10 minutes, I never knew that as well. Arigatou.

**al Roumi** · 10-25-2010, 11:33

Despite the lacklustre review on RPS, comments from those who took the plunge early convinced me to get NewVegas over the weekend. I'm a few hours in, up to about level 5 or 6 and I'm really enjoying it. More than I have any recent releases like civ5, and more than Dragon age (which I was trying to start up again and gave up in favour of NewVegas) -that's probably also due to not anticipating the game before the release (I wish i could remain immune to the same with other franchises like civ or TW..).

What really put me off starting DA:O again, and which I like about NewVegas, is that there isn't actually much of a preamble. It takes all of about 10 minutes to get your character sorted and be awarded your freedom to explore the wasteland. It's several hours in DA:O and almost an hour in Fallout3 (if memory serves), while I may appreciate the preamble the first time I play a game, it's pretty frustrating on subsequent playthroughs.

So, a few hours and 5 or so levels in, I'm having a riot exploring the wasteland. I can't see how the RPS review was written, it looks like they game the game to the wrong player.

**Fragony** · 10-25-2010, 12:36

I really liked how Fallout 3 set you up, 'growing up' was a really nice touch. I like it when gamey elements are so will integrated in the gameworld's reality. Once the game really starts you already have a bit of a history, beats -bumped my head who the hell am I-

**TinCow** · 10-25-2010, 14:05

I played it to death over the weekend; I think my current in-game clock is over 30 hours now. I am very, very pleased with the game. The RPS review is probably the most inaccurate review I've ever read on that website (and I love RPS). The game is head-and-shoulders above Fallout 3. The world feels much larger, more rich, and far more interesting. Characters are unique, well rounded, and there are a large number of surprisingly 'adult' issues tackled head-on in this game. The loot is fabulous, with a truly staggering number of weapons to play around with. It also seems very true to the original FO1/2 canon and background, and feels like the 'real' sequel to those games that FO3 never was.

Yes, it is also buggy. There are bugs, you will see them regularly. That's a shame and I hope they fix it. However, it's still an awesome game. As far as Bethsoft-style open-world RPGs go, I put this way, way above FO3 and Oblivion, and currently on-par with Morrowind. Final judgment on how it measures up to Morrowind will have to come after I've finished the game. I'm already eager for my second playthrough and I haven't even finished the first. So many different factions to ally with, so many options... looks incredibly replayable.

**naut** · 10-27-2010, 08:39

Originally Posted by TinCow

I played it to death over the weekend; I think my current in-game clock is over 30 hours now. I am very, very pleased with the game. The RPS review is probably the most inaccurate review I've ever read on that website (and I love RPS). The game is head-and-shoulders above Fallout 3. The world feels much larger, more rich, and far more interesting. Characters are unique, well rounded, and there are a large number of surprisingly 'adult' issues tackled head-on in this game. The loot is fabulous, with a truly staggering number of weapons to play around with. It also seems very true to the original FO1/2 canon and background, and feels like the 'real' sequel to those games that FO3 never was.

Yes, it is also buggy. There are bugs, you will see them regularly. That's a shame and I hope they fix it. However, it's still an awesome game. As far as Bethsoft-style open-world RPGs go, I put this way, way above FO3 and Oblivion, and currently on-par with Morrowind. Final judgment on how it measures up to Morrowind will have to come after I've finished the game. I'm already eager for my second playthrough and I haven't even finished the first. So many different factions to ally with, so many options... looks incredibly replayable.

GRRRGRRRGRRRGRRR. Why must the reviews be so schizophrenic! First it's the best thing since sliced bread, then the next moment it's a bug riddled heroin addict, then the next it's a diamond plated platinum Lexus!

Ok. I loved FO1 and 2. Hated Tactics. Loved Morrowind. Didn't mind Oblivion, I had fun with it at the time. Hated FO3. I guess, I should just take the plunge, but.... will my PC run it. Probably not. I guess I'll wait until then. =(

**frogbeastegg** · 10-29-2010, 17:41

Got it, playing it, loving it. New Vegas is definitely a frog RPG through and through; my tiny amphibian heart is basking in the nuclear glow. I couldn't disagree more with the RPS article. No idea what game he played because it isn't the New Vegas I've got.

Much, much better than Fallout 3 IMO. Better writing. More and better choices. More interesting world. Far better character creation system and leveling - no more uber god with a bajillion and two stat points, and close to maxed out SPECIAL. The combat feels less crappy; ironsights mode is quite fun and I'm worryingly good at popping critical headshots with it. Perks and stats impact on conversation far more than before, and I've seen lots of different skills which can impact on dialogue instead of the limited range in Fallout 3. The main plot isn't cringeworthy. The voice acting is less awful.

Hardcore mode is a bit of a wash so far. I'm not finding it makes much difference aside from crippled limbs being something which makes me wail about the expense of a cure.

It's a more stable and bug free game than Fallout 3 was at release in my experience. I've only encountered a single problem: invisible landmines. In some areas they simply do not show up as objects on the map. I trigger one, then check the area closely for more and see none. The instant I move again, bloom. Repeatedly. In other areas they show up clearly.

Above all the game is filled with - and about - choices. Big, small, permanent, temporary. None so far have had an obvious best path.

I would say more but I'd rather use the time to play the game. Yup. I'm planning 4 playthroughs for this one, a different character type for each of the 4 faction paths. Lone wolf sniper type (current), laser girl, Mr melee with secondary kaboom weapons, and the stealth type. Haven't decided which build will match with which faction yet.

**Kekvit Irae** · 10-29-2010, 18:55

Originally Posted by frogbeastegg

I've only encountered a single problem: invisible landmines. In some areas they simply do not show up as objects on the map. I trigger one, then check the area closely for more and see none. The instant I move again, bloom. Repeatedly. In other areas they show up clearly.

I've never encountered invisible landmines. I have, however, encountered extremely well concealed landmines. Such as at

Spoiler Alert, click show to read:

**LeftEyeNine** · 10-29-2010, 19:03

I've encountered no more than 3 CTDs so far among which only one was in the middle of the game; the rest happened the moment I quit the game.

I think the game's flawless play is heavily dependent on how clean and up-to-date your rig is.

**frogbeastegg** · 10-29-2010, 19:28

Originally Posted by Kekvit Irae

I've never encountered invisible landmines. I have, however, encountered extremely well concealed landmines.

Those are some evil landmines. I like it!

My invisible ones were near the start of the game. You know that small gang camp based around a crashed vehicle about 5 minutes away from the starting town? Three mines there on the open landscape. I walked in, heard the first one beep and started to backpedal. My explosives skill is low so it blew after 2 beeps and crippled a leg and my head. I froze, scanning everywhere for more mines. Nothing. Took one step, beep beep boom. Patched myself up a bit, took another good long look around, saw nothing, three steps and beep beep boom. That seemed to be all of them as I didn't encounter any more as my crippled self staggered about the area hunting for loot.

**Ja'chyra** · 10-29-2010, 19:04

I gave in and bought it, and wish I hadn't, it's a bug ridden waste of money.

The worst bud is a black screen on zoning but there are others as well. I've heard all about the "You can't expect the game to work at release", but, yes I can, I paid for it, it should work. Never buying another game at release again.

**Kekvit Irae** · 10-25-2010, 15:56

Originally Posted by alh_p

It takes all of about 10 minutes to get your character sorted and be awarded your freedom to explore the wasteland.

You must be playing a different game than I. Either that or your definition of "freedom to explore" is skewed. No sooner than I got out of Tutorialsprings, I was jumped by no less than three cazadars and several giant radscorpions on one path, a deathclaw on another, and SO MANY invisible barriers. Countless reloads later, I finally figured out that New Vegas forces you along a linear path using the age-old method of obstruction through difficulty and invisible barriers.

**LeftEyeNine** · 10-25-2010, 16:06

Oh I forgot to mention about my verdict.

It's Fallout Old Skool again. My tastebuds are tingling with the anticipation of a double-click right now.

Heaven yeah !

**Kekvit Irae** · 10-25-2010, 16:12

Originally Posted by LeftEyeNine

Oh I forgot to mention about my verdict.

It's Fallout Old Skool again. My tastebuds are tingling with the anticipation of a double-click right now.

Heaven yeah !

I got that impression five minutes into the game. Traits are back! Wild Wilderness gives you F1/2 silly random encounters! F1/2 characters or descendants of said characters are in the game! Skill-based dialogue other than Speech!

**al Roumi** · 10-25-2010, 16:21

Originally Posted by Kekvit Irae

You must be playing a different game than I. Either that or your definition of "freedom to explore" is skewed. No sooner than I got out of Tutorialsprings, I was jumped by no less than three cazadars and several giant radscorpions on one path, a deathclaw on another, and SO MANY invisible barriers. Countless reloads later, I finally figured out that New Vegas forces you along a linear path using the age-old method of obstruction through difficulty and invisible barriers.

With the exception of invisible barriers, I'd rather face a badass monster that I know I can return to than being locked into an extended "origin" story.

Although I've yet to feel it, I can see how the trek down the road might be predictable in subsequent playthroughs. So far I've just felt there have been so many things pulling me off the track, be it

Spoiler Alert, click show to read:

I also find the legion to be much "better" at being bad guys than the enclave were in FO3.

...and I still wish i could buy/hire/train/recruit a pack animal to carry my stuff - followers just aren't enough!

**Kekvit Irae** · 10-25-2010, 16:31

Originally Posted by alh_p

...and I still wish i could buy/hire/train/recruit a pack animal to carry my stuff - followers just aren't enough!

You can nab two followers at a time. One humanoid, one non-human. It lessens the burden.

**PanzerJaeger** · 10-26-2010, 02:01

So what's the verdict guys? I want to buy this game but the RPS review has me worried. Is exploration pretty barren as described, and compared to FO3? I can't stand wondering around forever to come across something interesting in these types of games...