My gaming follies I equate to a pastime that while generally consistent, are ones that I have full control over. So while I game everyday just like many of you here, I can set my controller down and without a second thought be fine with nary a pang of disappointment. That fact alone gives me internal comfort, as I can escape any and all accusations from my wife that I'm addicted to video games. For surely if I was truly addicted to video games as she claimed, I wouldn't be able to do that act. Unfortunately while that sounds very convincing, there's one simple little thing that disrupts my otherwise fine illusion of being a normal thirty-seven year old non addicted to video games adult. A truly wonderfully created game. One that begs you to play it nonstop and has its very own gravitational pull, where when snared doesn't let go. Ladies and Gentlemen, I'm here to tell you that Fallout 3 is such a game.

Before I begin my take on this game let me just state four things:

1. I have never played a Fallout game before. Being as I hardly ever played any games on any of my past handicapped PCs this is no surprise. Thus I come to this game in a virginal state with no preconceived notions, justifiable or not, of what a proper Fallout sequel should be.

2. I actually loved Oblivion minor flaws and all. It was one of the reasons why I got my Xbox360 day one. The reason why I say this, is that its the latest craze to say Fallout 3 is like Oblivion with guns. Like it's an insult. If that newly born cliche is true, its more of a compliment than anything else.

3. I'm a sucker for a post apocalyptic setting which coincidentally insures my obsession for Mad Max movies even more.

4. As a kid I was in love with the Create your own Adventure books. Scholastic books of old that gave you a few choices and based on what you picked, you had to thumb to a specific page to learn your outcome.



This is what you'll find in this game. Crazed cannibals, mutants, creatures of all shapes and sizes, radioactive water, mine infested lands, a very robust selection of weapons, moral dilemmas that require a choice which in turn affect play, and a world as dark and colorless as it is beautiful in its carnage filled vistas. I'll even go one step further and say that while you are the main protagonist, the central character in Fallout 3 is the world itself. From bombed out buildings, cracked broken bridges, vehicle shells peppering the surroundings to decrepit playgrounds made all the more depressing and surreal because of its stillness, Fallout 3's world is one you may not want to live in, but definitely one you'll want to visit again and again just to see whats around the bend.

If you're the curious type of gamer who likes to explore every nook and cranny there is to a game, welcome to your new digs. Take your shoes off, get cozy on your sofa, and lose yourself in the pretty moving pictures in your HDTV. You'll be here awhile. Some will have you believe the game is relatively short. I guess it could be if this was a race and you went from point "A" to point "Z" like your life depended on it. Yet even then the game is like 40 hours. Let's put that in perspective. That's the combined length of Gears of War 2, Mirror's Edge and Fable II. Short? I think not, and that's if you are not the curious kind. If you are, it's easily about eighty plus. That's nothing to gloss over.



Unlike the PG rated world of Oblivion (even though it was rated Mature) with it's fairly bloodless combat and squeaky clean language, Fallout 3 with its gore filled, foul mouthed slices of communication, is like the older cooler brother of Bethesda's last two games. Older, with a devilish streak, with more bravado and a confidence oozing from it, Fallout 3 is a sharp contrast from Oblivion. While both are quality affairs that get the job done, where as Oblivion to me sedates you in a pleasant way with its lore and setting, Fallout 3 punches you in the jaw with its own. Once you're truly unleashed into the Wastelands, expect to work to survive. Ammo isn't overflowing in this world. Oh sure, there's just enough to get by and once you get comfortable with combat in the game it becomes a bit easier but you'll definitely be on your toes.

The game is pretty violent too. Decapitations, limbs flying to and fro, chunks of bodies spraying in the air or just politely adorning the streets you walk by, the game isn't shy nor does it leave much to your imagination when it come to examples of carrion. While the game engine is basically a refined game engine of Oblivion, the VATS system distinguishes more than enough to make it its own. By now you know of the system, if you don't in layman's terms it essentially freezes your opponents, and lets you target specific parts of its anatomy, included in this is the percentages of how likely you will hit said part. In action its a feast for the eyes. Once you have selected what you want to shoot at, the camera pans to a cinematic view of your character bringing the pain and if you land a death blow, prepare to be rewarded with a very messy, very bloody treat, depending on the weapon used.



As you gain experience you can choose what perks you want to specialize in. Let me just say there are a ton of them, so much so that I'll wager plenty of gamers will be replaying this game not just for the evil/good paths but for trying out perks not used before. Creating different cocktails of perks in this game is highly addictive unto itself, as is dressing up your character in different apparel/armor and having it displayed onscreen. You can literally create a character that will look like Mad Max from the movies with ease. Right down to the sawed off shotgun he favored... and even the dog. It's obvious Bethesda are fans of those old Mel Gibson movies.

I know so far this is an unapologetic love fest for the game and to be honest that's what this pretty much is. I can say though that I'm sincere in how I feel about this game. I can also say that no other game has had me in its clutches like this for awhile. I savor my time with Fallout 3. Hell, this is one of the few games that doesn't ask my PS3 to install it because get this... there is no need. Shocking. I've heard all these tales of how the game has numerous glitches and I'll be honest, these tales made me wary to purchase it but I kept being assured the game was kick ass by a certain Dtoider whose name rhymes with Doubting Conflict. So off I went recently and bought it. I have no regrets. The only thing that is glaring on the PS3 version of the game is when a friend logs off or on, the game freezes for a brief two seconds, then resumes. Annoying but not earth shattering. And you can eradicate that issue by turning off your friend notifications. It doesn't bother me enough to do so, though you may think differently.



The third person camera is also not ideal. The character animation is not what it should be. Jerky, robotic, it is best used like I use it. In spurts, to see what that new armor or helmet or whatever new apparel you got a hold of, looks like on you. Or to pan the camera around and make a cool looking pic when you save. Silly stuff but hey, I get my kicks from simple things. But let's get real here. This game is a first person affair and when played that way, it's awesome.

Almost forgot to mention that the sounds of the game are just shy of perfect. From the rattling of metal stop signs in the wind, to the radio stations and its fitting retro music you can pick up on your pipboy, it's all good. The sound carries over when exploring a darkened area as well, as it comes in handy to let you know what's up if you're not in sneak mode. But there is the odd quirk of when in an area populated with NPCs they at times, have the tendency of talking all at once assaulting the senses. Again a little annoying but not earth shattering, just something to note.



Another thing is there is no trophy support for this game at this time. I hear there is one on the way but as for it being retroactive or not it hasn't been stated. I don't care about that either way but you may. . But do all these things take any of the enjoyment out of the game? Not a bit. Bottom line is this game is fantastic when you take in the totality of it. Do yourself a favor and add this to your game collection. Perhaps I wont be the only one accused of being addicted to video games by my significant other.