Fallout: New Vegas Details Escape The Vault

Bethesda’s Fallout 3 is, without a doubt, my favorite game of this generation. No other game has quite caught my imagination, so successfully sucking me into its world. It helps that I’m predisposed to loving post-apocalyptic settings (and Fallout 2 was one of the greatest things made by the human race), but Fallout 3 took that extra step by really placing me there. How could you not be overwhelmed, taking your first steps out of Vault 101? So, of course, I’ve been salivating at the prospect of news on Fallout: New Vegas, a new spin-off combining Bethesda’s engine with the team that made the first two Fallout games (the former Black Isle, now Obsidian).

The first teaser, unfortunately, didn’t show us any gameplay, but a preview from the new issue of PC Gamer has a few tantalizing goodies.

New Vegas, unsurprisingly takes place in the Mojave desert. Vegas, itself, largely survived the nuclear attack and the residents have restored the power (electricity is a key issue throughout the game). Because radiation is less of an issue, you can expect to see some plantlife, colorful skies, and some relatively unspoiled homes. Crazy, eh? The central storyline will detail the course of a conflict between the California Republic, Caeser’s Legion, and the populace of New Vegas. When not running errands for each faction, you can even hit the strip for some gambling.

In a departure for the series, your character is not a vault dweller, but a courier. You were dug up by one of the robots that patrols the wastes, and you’ve been nursed to health by a doctor (who is a former vault resident). Your initial stats will be determined by a series of tests (administered by this doctor), and then you’ll recieve your very own Pip-Boy. Like in Fallout 3, your actions will shift your alignment along a karma meter. On top of that, Obsidian has added a “reputation score.” Like in World of Warcraft, your actions will affect your reputation among each faction vying for control of the Mojave Wastes. The VATS system returns with a variety of new moves, some focusing on melee attacks. Your skills will have a more direct affect on conversations this time around. If your skills are too low, you can try to follow the alternative conversation paths, but the results might be hilarious – try to intimidate a super mutant and they might just laugh you out of the room.

For enemies – expect the usual mix of robots, humans, and mutants. Super Mutants will be more varied and intelligent, and a few new enemies will appear. The preview teases that a female mutant with a 1950s-style ‘do will play an important role in the story. Followers will work similarly to in Fallout 3, giving you the ability to issue simple commands like “follow” or “attack.” Early on, you’ll pick up a ghoul companion after rescuing him from a pack of mutants. Oh, and if you didn’t think the last game was hard enough, New Vegas has a “hardcore” mode that contains tougher enemies, healing isn’t instantaneous, and you must you keep track of ammo weight and dehydration.

Fallout: New Vegas will be released later this year (sources say autumn) on PC, PS3 and Xbox 360. I think I may have to seal myself in a vault until then.

source: Eurogamer