Cover: Design is ripped off from the first game's manual though they had their own artist recreate it, they didn't change the serial number which, if I'm not mistaken, designates it for Vault 13 (VDSG VTB-001-
13).
Introduction: Absolutely terrible. It reads like the back of the box rather than an introduction to the game. The whole thing is written in a tone that doesn't seem right for an instruction manual given the subject. It starts with some retarded statement about how engrosing nuclear war is, moves on to summarize the setting in a very official statement type of way, skips all of the background, speeds through the background of the game, and then reads like a promotional statement.
• The compass does even more handholding than Oblivion had though I don't remember Oblivion allowing you to create your own markers, good improvement. All in all, probably good changes for the direction they went with the game.
• Vaultboy in the radiation suit in the barrel looks terrible.
• Not keen of the radiation bar just because I always found it more threatening not to be told. That said, it's needed for where they went with Fallout 3.
• Figure 1.1 has a good illustration.
• Figure 2.3 is good.
• The maps look fitting to the PIPBoy style but they both look overly crowded/detailed (local map especially). Would like to see a bigger screenshot as the clearity has been criticised by at least one reviewer.
• Metal dector Vault Boy looks terrible but not quite as bad as radiation suit.
• Critical chance isn't displayed.
• Good that weapon jamming is in.
• Oblivion's melee combat is in with the only difference being that there is no mention about directional or special attacks other than charging your attack.
• Disgusting that they put in blocking, interesting that it only says it works against melee.
• Disappointed that there isn't a sneak bar given how much effects how stealthy you are.
• Hacking minigame could be good/interesting in the right type of game (and probably with some tweaking), it's just that this isn't an appropriate game for it.
• I wonder if the following statement is true or not, "If you’ve angered everyone in a town and they are attacking you, try leaving and coming back a few days later after they’ve calmed down. This will work for some towns... but not all of them."
• I like speech challenges and the fact that some of them use skills other than speach but I still think that they should all have a minimum requirement instead of being a dice roll.
• Do we know whether or not you will be able to sell stolen items to everyone or if shop keepers are psycic like in Oblivion?
• Interested to see when/how they clear out items in contains, I'm guessing it's done every three days?
• Vault Boy on the bottom of the Containers page looks terrible, the boot and gun in particular look bad.
• "
Gameplay: Using this menu, you can adjust the game’s Difficulty and toggle certain features off or on. The Difficulty setting will adjust how hard combat is. The harder you make the game, the more XP you will receive for combat." So the harder you make the game, the faster you level up and the quicker the game gets easier.
Low res screenshots.
Perks:
• Intense Training - Seems broken, seems to defeat their whole argument that you can't be a jack of all trades.
• Little Leaguer - Doesn't make sense that it raises explosives, it's a bad carry over from back when there was a throw skill.
• Fortune Finder - Interesting but I'm unsure whether or not I like it.
• Lead Belly - Good perk.
• Commando - Unless there are pistols that are as good as rifles, this is a bad perk.
• Impartial Mediation - Doesn't fit the mold as it can be revoked if you get too good or too bad of karma.
• Scrounger - If ammo was actually really scarce then this would be good but my guess is that it'll be useless.
• Mister Sandman - Seems useless unless it prevents villagers from being psychic about those murders.
• Nerd Rage! - Implies that 10 is the maximum in all skills.
• Cannibal - Shouldn't be a perk.
• Fast Metabolism - Has a weird effect given it's name, though it kind of makes sense.
• Sniper - Do not like it's new effect, only increases chance to hit a targets head in VATS.
• Adamantium Skeleton - Only effects limbs?
• Contract Killer - Yay for stealing ideas from Diablo! Both it and it's good counterpart, Lawbringer, are retarded.
• Cyborg - I hope this is gained from a quest but I doubt it.
• Light Step - Cool.
• Action Boy - I guess you have a ton of AP if this ups it by 25.
• Concetrated Fire - Like the idea but, given the footage I've seen, doesn't seem useful.
• Computer Wiz and Infiltrator - Ensures that you can't miss any hackable computer or pickable lock.
• Paralyzing Palm - Interest idea (not sure if I like it or not) but again, I don't think it'll be useful.
• Perks seem like it would be easy to max out all of your skills if you chose the right ones. Like the enemy specific ones.
The Vault Dweller's Survival Guide: Poket Edition is the promotional booklet they released ealier, right? I do like the style the artist used for that.
Futch said:
I can't believe some of the perks that I'm seeing here, nothing but stat/skill boosts.
I've never been a fan of perks which strictly upped certain skills, I think other effects are always more interesting and better for perks as you're giving the player skill points to do that stuff.
Rev. Layle said:
IIRC, F2 (cant remember about F1) had a perk for raising each stat by 1. Of course, that is only 7 points (one for each stat), and, again, only one perk for ever 3 levels. Of course, you can get modifications from BOS to raise stats... and of course Gifted (but that had a downside being a trait).
That's true but remember that you only got a perk once every three levels (four with Skilled) and that luck could only be upped with the perk. Bobble heads replace the implants but I haven't read how many there will be for each stat and I beleive that some effect other things (don't remember what).
Brother None said:
Also note none of the perks have very steep requirements, PaladinHeart, especially not from your stats.
Yep, highest skill requirement is 70% in one or 60% in two (other than Ninja which is 80% in two) and the highest stat requirement is 7 in one or 6 in two.
Humpsalot said:
Do you think the ONLY thing scoundrel does is raid your Speech and Barter 5 points? Or do you think there will be a "Scoundrel" speech option like a "charm" or "intimidate"
Also, do you think you can take "here and now" at lvl 20 to reach lvl 21?
That will be the only thing it does since it doesn't say otherwise (Beth is against surprises, they want the player to know what they're getting into) and I don't think you'll be able to reach 21 with Here and Now.
