Gamer’s Review: Fallout 3

Released in 2008 (same year Cloverfield came out) on PlayStation 3 and Xbox 360, “Fallout 3” earned critical acclaim from critics and gamers alike. Besides praise, the game sold enough copies worldwide. Bethesda re-released “Fallout 4” on PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X/S. Recently, the live-action Fallout series on Amazon Prime is getting a second season. If you haven’t got a chance to watch the first season, it’s a must-see worth a watch. Although, I never played Fallout 1-2, I’m a fan of the ones on consoles. “Fallout: New Vegas” is my all-time pick.

Today’s review contains no SPOILERS.

Good & Bad Qualities

Good: Liam Neeson provides the voice of the main character’s father.

Malcolm McDowell voices President John Henry Eden.

Ron Perlman narrates the game. Hence the famous line. “War, war never changes.”

Fun Fact: All three actors played DC Comics villains. Liam played Ra’s Al Ghul in “The Dark Knight Trilogy.” Malcolm voiced Metallo & Mad Mod in separate cartoons, “Superman: The Animated Series” & “Teen Titans.” Ron voiced Slade Wilson/Deathstroke in “Teen Titans.”

Todd Howard did a decent job coordinating the game.

Graphics are really good for a game released on the PS3 and Xbox 360.

The game contains several pop culture references.

Gameplay/Mechanics

• Presented as a first-person/third-person open-world RPG, you play as a resident from Vault 101. After your father leaves, you go on an adventure to track down his whereabouts. During your journey, you’ll encounter danger in a post-apocalyptic wasteland filled with scum and villainy.
• Combat’s a main factor. Fire your enemies with handguns, shotguns, rifles, missile launchers, and frickin’ laser beams. You can also equip melee weapons.
• Enemy variety including humans, super mutants, ghouls, robots and mutated wildlife.
• If you have enough Action Points or AP for short, activating V.A.T.S. stops time. Picking a target’s limb will weaken legs, arms and head.
• Speaking of limbs, keep track on them. Sleep or inject a stimpack. Sleep is the best option to conserve stimpacks.
• Side Quests are fun.
• Your handy dandy Pip-Boy keeps track on your missions, weapons, gear, provisions and a world map. Once you discover a location, you’ll be able to Fast Travel from Point A to Point B.
• Lockpick and hack computer terminals. The difficulty depends on your lock picking and hacking abilities.
• Spend bottle caps on provisions, weapons and clothing. Sell unwanted items for more caps.
• Karma System determines your actions and dialogue choices changing the game’s status quo. Plan your decisions accordingly. Because some quests won’t be available if you do something good or bad.
• Team up with a companion. Your karma determines if he or she will join you. For instance, Fawkes (super mutant) aligns as good.
• Radio Stations features old school tunes and classical instrumentals.
• Maximum Level Cap reaches 20. If you download Broken Steel or bought a Game of the Year Edition, it racks up to 30.
• S.P.E.C.I.A.L. and perks depend on your playstyle. Experiment what type of playstyle and build suits you.
• Clothing boosts your stats, but not permanently.

Besides Broken Steel, you get more DLC like “Mother Zeta,” “Operation: Anchorage,” “Point Lookout” & “The Pitt.” More bang for your buck.

Beating the Main Story will take you 24 hours to complete. If you wish to replay for a different ending, you get replay value. What’s 4 endings times 24? You get 96. Side Quests and DLC adds additional stuff worth every penny.

Bad: I couldn’t find nothing wrong. I’m giving Bethesda an Extra Point for making a flawless game as possible.

The Final Verdict: A, FOR APEX!

From my point of view, Fallout 3 is my second favorite game in the Fallout series. Again, New Vegas is my all-time pick. If you’re stoked for Fallout’s second season or new to the series, now’s the time to play the games.