Posted By Micah C. about 2 years, 3 months ago
Saying that Fallout 3 was a runaway hit would be an understatement. Not only did the game serve to resurrect the series, but it also is one of the most popular role playing games of this console generation. So, it’s understandable that any side story or sequel would have high expectations once it was announced. Well, Fallout: New Vegas had lofty expectations indeed, and with a good reason aside from the success of its predecessor. Once Obsidian Entertainment was attached to the project, the ears of Fallout fans everywhere perked up. This wasn’t just another Fallout title being released. This is a release from the biggest brains from Black Isle. So, how solid is Fallout: New Vegas? Is it a game that reaches the quality of the original games, or should it be forgotten just as quickly as Fallout: Brotherhood of Steel was?
| PROS | New gameplay additions, gorgeous scenery, great storyline, lots to explore |
| CONS | Bug issues, and a couple of missed opportunities plot-wise |
| WTF?! | Two words: Wild Wasteland |
The story of New Vegas starts in a rough spot for the player. Some dressed up jerk doing a bad Bing Crosby impersonation shoots you in the head, and you wake up in the care of a doctor. From there, you get to create your character through a process of determining his/her looks, adjusting the S.P.E.C.I.A.L. Stats on a vitality meter, and determine their skills in a personality test. After the Doc gives you some clothes, and a couple villagers help you learn how to survive in the Mojave, you embark on a quest to find the person who shot you, and figure out why they felt the need to attempt and turn your head into a canoe. Or you can just explore the Mojave and allow bygones to be bygones. It’s up to the player.
It's not hard to look like a high school shop teacher in this game.
New Vegas has a very interesting plot to it. On its own, it doesn’t start incredibly strong. The main quest of the game that takes you through it has a slow pace that doesn’t give a whole lot of detail on exactly where it’s headed. In a way, it purposely keeps the player in the dark until the right moment, which is inevitably the final act of the game. Were this any other medium, it simply wouldn’t work, and people would get bored quickly. However, Fallout: New Vegas is a game built on exploration and survival, and the plot allows the player to focus on those two elements until they’re ready to progress onward with the main story. It shouldn’t surprise anyone, due to the fact that the first two games were written in similar manners. The plot, as it stands, is well written. The endgame especially ties together in epic fashion, but the player doesn’t have to really aim to get there quickly to enjoy the game.
The main reason for this is due to the strength of Chris Avellone’s writing. Avellone, as a writer, is extraordinary in his ability to adapt gameplay to storyline and have it weave in perfectly. Throughout franchise history, the story of Fallout has been as much about the journey as it was the destination. Everywhere you go, you’ll find characters with rich history that goes back to their youth, and each character has excellent dialog and characterization. With this, the history of the Mojave in the Fallout universe comes across as a place that looks barren, but has a heartbeat to it. In essence, the writing of this game brings everything tied to it a soul of its own, rather than simply being an RPG with a lot of extra crap to do in your downtime.
Though there are missed storyline opportunities here, the opening of the game is very unique.
Oddly enough, the story of New Vegas falls short in a single area. That particular area is that of the player character. Though you do determine the personality and skills of your character at the beginning, and those skills and traits determine how the Courier grows throughout, there’s really no history to the character. You’ll hear small echoes of it, such as hints that the Courier has been to New Reno (of Fallout 2 fame), and that he’s heard of factions like the Brotherhood of Steel and the Enclave, but there’s never anything more than that. It’s a shame, mostly because it falls a bit short of the caliber that Fallout 3 presented gamers with. Still, this part is only minor, but is worth mentioning due to the fact that much is expected from Avellone’s pedigree.
What constitutes a good character? Join me in this series that attempts to look at these characters and tries to peel away the layers of depth they have. Join me as we find Characters with Character. This week is Arcade Gannon.
Can a developer actually succeed if they have an artificial wall to scale? Do they deserve extra payment for just missing this magic mark?
The original series producer of the Fallout series, Tim Cain, has found a new home after leaving his job at Carbine Studios. And as luck would have it, it’s with Obsidian Entertainment.
It took me a bit of time to look back at the experience and come into the review as objective as possible, so hopefully this review will give you guys the right idea of what you’re getting yourselves into in The Divide.
Is it a game that reaches the quality of the original games, or should it be forgotten just as quickly as Fallout: Brotherhood of Steel was?
The original series producer of the Fallout series, Tim Cain, has found a new home after leaving his job at Carbine Studios. And as luck would have it, it’s with Obsidian Entertainment.
Is it a game that reaches the quality of the original games, or should it be forgotten just as quickly as Fallout: Brotherhood of Steel was?
Posted By Micah C. about 1 year, 8 months ago
Fallout: New Vegas – Lonesome Road Review
As a person, I’ve always loved questions. It’s a lot of fun for me to answer someone’s inquiry, whether it be about myself, my hobbies, my work here at Blistered Thumbs, or whatever else there is a question about. With that said, I’ve always found it interesting when a video game has the ability to make me question myself. Such is where I find myself with Lonesome Road. The last DLC for Fallout: New Vegas, Lonesome Road wasn’t quite what I expected. It took me a bit of time to look back at the experience and come into the review as objective as possible, so hopefully this review will give you guys the right idea of what you’re getting yourselves into in The Divide.
| PROS | Intriguing storyline, plenty of “stuff” to take back to the wasteland, interesting dissection of player choice |
| CONS | Not the most accessible DLC you’ll find, and a couple of annoying bugs are present |
| WTF?! | How do you clone a robot again? |
The tale of Lonesome Road is one of reflection. A long time ago, the Divide was a trade route that was being battled over by the two main forces of New Vegas: Caesar’s Legion and the NCR. After something that the Courier did in the past, the land and the people in it were changed forever. The event also changed a man named Ulysses, who has been following everything you’ve been doing in the wastes since the beginning. Going into the Divide, you will come face to face with him. This is already decided. However, something else you’ll be coming face to face with is yourself.
Lonesome Road’s story, at its core, is a mirror of everything you have done thus far. Your reputation, your choices, your actions, and so forth are reflected by the character of Ulysses. During the course of the game (provided you do the proper looking) you will understand exactly who he is, why he’s here, and what he has to do with what happened in The Divide. The story is also one that takes the time to make you think exactly what makes you tick as a Fallout player. Why is it that you choose specific actions? Why do you feel the need to push everything? In fact, why did you wander into The Divide in the first place? The narrative has an interesting way of reaching into the player and pulling these questions out, making you think about why it is you do what you do.
So much for taking the highway.
From the visual side of things, the graphics really haven’t changed in terms of quality. Then again, that’s usually the tale of DLC in general. The important question is always “Does the content reflect the mood the developers were going for?” The answer is a definite yes. The Divide, as a locale, looks like a place that is the worst a wasteland can get. There is no civilization, nothing that isn’t hostile, and the entire place looks like it has been ravaged by nuclear events and man’s avarice. Some of the bigger areas are a sight to behold, as they stretch for miles and give you an idea of the danger of nuclear weaponry.
Audio-wise, Lonesome Road is where it needs to be. The game still has great audio to it, from the mean sounding guns to the atmospheric soundtrack. To be truthful, there really is only one thing that stands out in the sound, and that’s the use of some music from Fallout 2 at specific points of the story to set a specific tone. It’s one of those little things that you’ll catch if you listen closely, and the storyline will explain why. Another thing to note is the voice acting of the Ulysses character. Roger Cross gives the character a unique sound, and helps to breathe life into the twisted mind of this dreadlocked mystery man.
When it comes to gameplay, Lonesome Road is a fairly linear experience. Though there is a little bit of room for exploration, this isn’t the type of DLC with a narrative that allows for it. You have an objective at the other end of a canyon, so it doesn’t make too much sense to have one big sprawling open area. Whether that’s something that appeals to you, the player, is up to your tastes, because from an artistic standpoint it doesn’t detract from anything. Also, there’s a decent amount of “stuff” for you guys who love to collect junk and return it to the wasteland. In fact, there’s a particular rocket launcher called “Red Glare” that fires rapid-fire rockets that is pretty freaking awesome.
In the end, Lonesome Road has put me in an awkward position. The DLC does some very interesting things with its storyline, and really doesn’t have any big detracting factors from it in terms of its quality. The only real bug I found was an enemy clipped through the floor and continued to follow me around for a bit, grunting at me. It was sort of like being followed by an invisible linebacker that’s too passive for his own good. So, let me say this: Lonesome Road is a great piece of DLC, but it’s one that you need to look up some video on to really decide whether or not you want to spend the cash. Watch some video, play it at a buddy’s house, or whatever you choose. This just isn’t one of those things you want to impulse buy, despite how good it is.
You have no idea how hard it was to pull me away from Gears 3.
-Micah C.
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A copy of Lonesome Road was purchased by the reviewer. The DLC was played for four hours, and was completed.
Sadly my experience was ruined by the DLC assuming I’m pro-NCR… when I’m going the Yes Man path.
I really wish the writers would move on to companies that can make functional games.
sounds like a fun DLC, just bought it and started a new character, gonna be fun jumping in around level 25
btw any plans to make any kind of micro review for the two last “micro DLC”? (aka The Gun Runners’ Arsenal and Courier’s Stash) or those are just too small to make any kind of review of?
I’m hoping that there will be a GOTY edition of the game like with Fallout 3, buying DLCs for games is kinda bothersome.
From the sound of things, I don’t see why this DLC couldn’t get a glowing recommendation. It sounds like it is heavy in both story and combat, a universal theme of questions and dealing with a past you can’t erase, and a focus deep into the heart of the core of the Fallout mythos. From the sound of things, the only reason not to recommend it to gamers is because of the demographic of gamers that don’t like to THINK.
But, if you don’t like to think, why are you playing a series of RPGs like the legendary Fallouts (because they ARE RPGs, first and foremost)? There’s a question they should be thinking about by this point, if they have the capacity. If they just play games for running and gunning, why did they stop at Fallout and become so dedicated that they would buy DLC content without expecting the depth that Fallout entails? Questions are a powerhouse. Many of the greatest games of all time have been fueled by questions, especially Planescape: Torment, another work of Chris Avellone, the writer for Fallout: New Vegas. If people aren’t prepared for questions and answers at this point in the Fallout series, I think they should re-evaluate themselves as players…
My problem is that I seemed to have lost interest in Fallout in general. I am just bored of it…until the next one comes around.
“My idea is to explore more of the world and more of the ethics of a post-nuclear world, not to make a better plasma gun.” – Tim Cain, creator of Fallout
I’d say that this DLC and New Vegas in general has mostly kept true to that original theme in Fallout. Of course, a lot of gamers prefer plasma guns to the whole post apocalyptic morality/ethics thing.
I loved the environment so much, it really felt like crumbing ruins. Made me want to play Fallout 3 again. I liked the enemies, they really don’t tell you what they are you have to really look to find out. I HATED the main story! The robot’s story was cute, but I couldn’t stand anything involving Ulysses. He speak entirely in bad emo poetry and he, pauses, all the, time, for no, reason(see how annoying that is?).
I was hoping to find out a little more about the Courier, but oh well I can understand them wanting to keep the Courier’s origin a mystery.
If you have the rest of the DLC then I would get this, if not Old World Blues and Honest Hearts are better and I would start there.
While I personally enjoyed Old World Blues the most, this one wasn’t too bad, due to the narrative aspect of it, really giving you more than just a mission to do, and I like that it worked my NCR background into the decisions. Though I can’t say it was the most satisfying ending to me, without saying anything to spoil it for anyone.
i think lonesome road is an epic ending to this DLC story. when i started this DLC i was ready to take Maria and shoot him in the head to see how he likes it. but as you get to know why he did it becomes harder and harder to kill him.
if you have played all the previous DLC and gotten into the story this DLC is a must buy otherwise, the new weapons are kinda funny but old world blues has better weapons and a more fallout like story (lonesome roading beaing more fallout 3 style espcially the ending message from Ulysses once your done with the DLC)
What constitutes a good character? Join me in this series that attempts to look at these characters and tries to peel away the layers of depth they have. Join me as we find Characters with Character. This week is Arcade Gannon.
Can a developer actually succeed if they have an artificial wall to scale? Do they deserve extra payment for just missing this magic mark?
Music Mondays revisits the band that brought us tunes from Scott Pilgrim vs. the World and Bit.Trip Runner.
Crap, I can’t edit my post, so I guess I have to make a separate one.
Anyway, while there are very few things that I disagree with on in this review, Micah, there is one big one: that FOBOS has been forgotten. Believe me, I try to pretend like it doesn’t exist, but you can’t forget that kind of pain. It’s like having a knife jabbed into your skull
This is by far one of the best games off 2010, really enjoyed it and Fallout allways got such high replay value, so this is a must buy, great review and thanks for sharing.
I’d give it a 8/10, it does have it’s issues (WHY CAN’T I FINISH THIS QUEST?) but overall it’s a good game that is a worthy successor to the Fallout name.
[...] This post was mentioned on Twitter by Blistered Thumbs, Micah C. Micah C said: Speaking of which, here's my review of the game! http://www.blisteredthumbs.net/2011/02/fallout-new-vegas-review/ [...]
In regards to your complaint about the story, one of the coolest things about New Vegas is that, while the main game leaves your past largely untouched, the DLC that’s coming out is actually centered around it. There’s a subplot woven throughout the DLC about your past with a rival courier known as Ulysses. It’s looking like everything is building up to a final confrontation with him somewhere out in the wastes. Pretty cool stuff, all told.
I loved this game, albeit it did have its share of technical problems. I would easily give it a 9 if i was reviewing. And sure as hell spent a lot more time in this than in any other fallout (besides 2 maybe)
I liked the overall concept with choosing sides, doing quests in various ways – cool. But the execution was poor. I would give F:NV a 7/10.
I’m enjoying the game so far (60 or so hours in and I still haven’t beaten it yet). The story to me is better than 3. Fallout 3 (while quite good) had a very hollywood storyline where the distinguishing between what is considered “good” and “bad” was pretty simple. New Vegas has a more nuanced plot (though not perfect, but what is) that is more far reaching in how it effects what you experience in the game. Many times I had to carefully consider how my decisions would effect others, and often even if I felt I made the best choice, good people in the game were effected negatively.
I also very much enjoyed the whole partnership system they had in this game. My sidekicks in 3 tended to die young (and if they didn’t they had little story behind them) so it’s nice to have consistent partners to get to know and help throughout the game.
But certainly there are faults. It’s just as buggy as ever (even after the patch) as my game freezes once every 2 hours. This should be considered unacceptable. And yes the game is pretty much a giant expansion of 3, but considering the size of the game I imagine it was necessary to complete it in any decent time frame.
But overall, the good outweighs the bad in my opinion. Alot of bang for your buck.
My problum with these games is basicly the way the stories are told and I’m not just talking about Fallout I kinda feel the same about Oblivion your all ways centured on one person at a time witch feels very limited to me Fallout 3 I did feel more wide than before but I would have charon with me and all the NPCs act like he’s not even there at all
Good Game. A good improvement from Fallout 3. Still the bugs, the stupid AI, the big limits of the game that hamper the experience and the narration don’t let me give to it more than 8/10.
The NPC are a bunch o mindless zombie. For example, the assassination attempt near the end of the game… the most poorly executed scene I ever seen in my gamer life…
Even if is true that for “sandboxgame” we should be more patient… I’m playing “Precursors” ad “Two world” rigth now after all…
You guys must stop giving out 9′s and 10′s like candy. This game was hardly a 9.
In my time as a video games journalist, I’ve bagged out just as many games as I’ve praised. Moreso even. This game deserves the score I gave it.
Just because you didn’t like New Vegas doesn’t mean the game isn’t good. I don’t review on pure personal opinion. I review for everyone who would consider buying this game because I’m a damn good journalist, and this site deserves the best from me.
You guys deserve the best from me, and will always get it.
I on the other hand, review solely on personal opinion, and I liked New Vegas
I’d love to see the rating system from 1-10 written out from you. Apparently 8,9 or 10 goes to a game that has a plot. The rating system seems more personal to the writers than a criteria set forth from the site. Until then I feel like I can only trust a few reviewers. I bought the game and enjoyed it, but 9′s and 10′s should be reserved for near perfection, not a game with practically the same plot line as the rest in the series.
Uh, my last review was Mindjack, and I gave it a 2. I’ve gone over the entire spectrum since I’ve started writing.
I think he was referring to higher scores for games with coherent and deep plots…although that is an unfair comparison because even a good story can be mired in a bad game, like Alpha Protocol or any of the Ultima games.
That said I do think the game should be an eight, but I wrote a review for it last year explaining why at that time it was. In retrospect it doesn’t matter because the game is damn good, despite any blemishes to it. Still, there is a point to making a ten special…but that is a discussion for another day.
Excellent game and honors the franchise much better than Fallout 3 did.
I thoght Fallout 3 was alot better. The story lacked depth and everytime my repeater would freze up I would go into a rage.
Sure, the plot for Fallout 3 was good, but it was much better when it was called Fallout 2.
No, no, Fallout 2 was only half of Fallout 3′s plot. The other half was original…when it was called Fallout 1
Anyway, good review. It’s nice to see a reviewer who actually knows the franchise well, and weighs the story more highly than the technical issues