The most interesting of the initial tide of E3 previews is a video preview on 1up, a 12 minute preview in which we see J.E. Sawyer show the Strip and the Mojave wasteland (thanks Incognito).
IGN provides a first take on the game (thanks MKSaibot).<blockquote>Melee combat never looked that hot in Fallout 3 unless you used the unappealing third-person view. Fortunately, Obsidian has fixed the camera so that playing in third-person isn't just possible, it's preferable. The camera is now tight on the hip of the character instead of showing their poorly animated legs. This is a more traditional camera for a third-person action game and it makes a big difference in terms of playability. Obsidian is throwing in tons of wild and crazy looks and outfits that you will want to see in the third-person view.
One of my favorite new weapons is the throwing spear. This rare ranged weapon factors in your strength score, so it's actually a perfect long-range tool for someone who is normally a brawler. Target an enemy's head in VATS and give the spear a toss. With enough strength (and a bit of luck) you can decapitate an enemy and pin their head to a nearby wall. I tried pinning a rabid dog's tail with a spear, but lady luck wasn't with me on this one. </blockquote>As does Joystiq.<blockquote>I was forced to check my weapons in at the door, but of course, that was a choice -- it was possible, through the dialogue tree, for me to keep a concealed weapon, or even fight the bouncer, but I decided to try my luck at the table rather than in combat. Inside, I found three games to play in the form of blackjack, roulette, and the slot machines. It's all done as you'd expect -- that same retro font from the last game lets you place bets, and you try to hit it big along with all of the other poor schlubs with more money than sense.
You can't hit it too big, however -- the dev showed me a demo build cheat to win the slot machine jackpot every time, and as soon as I did, the casino's goons showed up to end my gambling career. I was also told that there was one more game, created for Fallout, that they weren't showing at this demo, and as I left the casino, I noticed there was also a show to see, as well as the usual gathering of sidequest-worthy locals hanging around.</blockquote>The Vault points to two more previews, one on Destructoid.<blockquote>Obsidian also points out its efforts to give skills more meaning in New Vegas than they had in Fallout 3. I'm shown how skill checks are built into the dialogue system as well. In one conversation, a doctor looking for assistance asks me if I can help him tend to injured soldiers. The response options in this situation are affected by the medical skill; the option I choose indicates the skill required for the task, and I'm able to offer assistance. (I'm told it's possible to lie, but you'll end up further injuring the soldiers and the doctor wouldn't be… pleased.)
On the subject of skills, the skill book system of Fallout 3 has been replaced by "Skill Magazines." After accepting the task to treat the wounded soldiers, I found that one required assistance that was just out of my medical skill range. Instead of working on his anyhow (and causing more damage), I pulled a copy of "Today's Physician" from my inventory, which gave me a temporary skill boost necessary to perform a successful operation.</blockquote>And one on 1up.<blockquote>"The design team is working with the basic idea that, the player is going to kill every NPC the moment they end dialogue," Sawyer explains. "You can go through Fallout New Vegas as a whirlwind of death. It'll be tough -- you'll constantly have bounty hunters harass you wherever you go, but you can finish the storyline that way."
Additionally, I hear that while New Vegas won't have the full "Intelligence of one equals Neanderthal dialogue" effect of previous Fallout games, knocking your intelligence all the way down does make you an exceptionally dim person. Sure, you won't be a monosyllabic buffoon, but you'll go through most conversations asking people to either repeat themselves or to explain just what they mean. It's upon hearing these two facts that I have absolutely decided how I will play Fallout New Vegas this fall: as a dimwit/imbecile/ who kills everyone he sees in front of him. </blockquote>Add in TeamXbox to the fray.<blockquote>While roleplaying and storytelling are central staples of the Fallout universe and will be prevalent in New Vegas the combat system also got a lot of attention as well. Melee combats integration in to the VATS aiming system has been greatly improved. Now when using VATS players have the option to select specialized attacks designed specifically for the weapon they are wielding. For example if you are using a golf club you can select “FORE” and get to see a special animation.
Tradditional and improvised weapons have not been forgotten by Osidian either. New weapons like the incendiary grenade and throwing spear make sure that you obliterate your opponents regardless of taste. When using the incendiary grenade you can lob your enemies in the air and then hit them with a second explosion for the killing blow!</blockquote>
IGN provides a first take on the game (thanks MKSaibot).<blockquote>Melee combat never looked that hot in Fallout 3 unless you used the unappealing third-person view. Fortunately, Obsidian has fixed the camera so that playing in third-person isn't just possible, it's preferable. The camera is now tight on the hip of the character instead of showing their poorly animated legs. This is a more traditional camera for a third-person action game and it makes a big difference in terms of playability. Obsidian is throwing in tons of wild and crazy looks and outfits that you will want to see in the third-person view.
One of my favorite new weapons is the throwing spear. This rare ranged weapon factors in your strength score, so it's actually a perfect long-range tool for someone who is normally a brawler. Target an enemy's head in VATS and give the spear a toss. With enough strength (and a bit of luck) you can decapitate an enemy and pin their head to a nearby wall. I tried pinning a rabid dog's tail with a spear, but lady luck wasn't with me on this one. </blockquote>As does Joystiq.<blockquote>I was forced to check my weapons in at the door, but of course, that was a choice -- it was possible, through the dialogue tree, for me to keep a concealed weapon, or even fight the bouncer, but I decided to try my luck at the table rather than in combat. Inside, I found three games to play in the form of blackjack, roulette, and the slot machines. It's all done as you'd expect -- that same retro font from the last game lets you place bets, and you try to hit it big along with all of the other poor schlubs with more money than sense.
You can't hit it too big, however -- the dev showed me a demo build cheat to win the slot machine jackpot every time, and as soon as I did, the casino's goons showed up to end my gambling career. I was also told that there was one more game, created for Fallout, that they weren't showing at this demo, and as I left the casino, I noticed there was also a show to see, as well as the usual gathering of sidequest-worthy locals hanging around.</blockquote>The Vault points to two more previews, one on Destructoid.<blockquote>Obsidian also points out its efforts to give skills more meaning in New Vegas than they had in Fallout 3. I'm shown how skill checks are built into the dialogue system as well. In one conversation, a doctor looking for assistance asks me if I can help him tend to injured soldiers. The response options in this situation are affected by the medical skill; the option I choose indicates the skill required for the task, and I'm able to offer assistance. (I'm told it's possible to lie, but you'll end up further injuring the soldiers and the doctor wouldn't be… pleased.)
On the subject of skills, the skill book system of Fallout 3 has been replaced by "Skill Magazines." After accepting the task to treat the wounded soldiers, I found that one required assistance that was just out of my medical skill range. Instead of working on his anyhow (and causing more damage), I pulled a copy of "Today's Physician" from my inventory, which gave me a temporary skill boost necessary to perform a successful operation.</blockquote>And one on 1up.<blockquote>"The design team is working with the basic idea that, the player is going to kill every NPC the moment they end dialogue," Sawyer explains. "You can go through Fallout New Vegas as a whirlwind of death. It'll be tough -- you'll constantly have bounty hunters harass you wherever you go, but you can finish the storyline that way."
Additionally, I hear that while New Vegas won't have the full "Intelligence of one equals Neanderthal dialogue" effect of previous Fallout games, knocking your intelligence all the way down does make you an exceptionally dim person. Sure, you won't be a monosyllabic buffoon, but you'll go through most conversations asking people to either repeat themselves or to explain just what they mean. It's upon hearing these two facts that I have absolutely decided how I will play Fallout New Vegas this fall: as a dimwit/imbecile/ who kills everyone he sees in front of him. </blockquote>Add in TeamXbox to the fray.<blockquote>While roleplaying and storytelling are central staples of the Fallout universe and will be prevalent in New Vegas the combat system also got a lot of attention as well. Melee combats integration in to the VATS aiming system has been greatly improved. Now when using VATS players have the option to select specialized attacks designed specifically for the weapon they are wielding. For example if you are using a golf club you can select “FORE” and get to see a special animation.
Tradditional and improvised weapons have not been forgotten by Osidian either. New weapons like the incendiary grenade and throwing spear make sure that you obliterate your opponents regardless of taste. When using the incendiary grenade you can lob your enemies in the air and then hit them with a second explosion for the killing blow!</blockquote>
