Done reading the last one? Good, here's another one. IGN, seemingly realising a day-one review of a game this scale is pretty silly, take a second look. Wonder if they'll provide a new opinion ever week!<blockquote>Everyone in New Vegas has a story; some charming, some depressing, and some brutal. They all need help, and it's up to you whether you accept the tasks, double-cross them, or simply plant a bullet in their leg and walk away. Such thrilling freedom and finely written storylines are hard to come by in video games. But I think the fact that a lot of the game's groundwork was already set in place when this project was started by Obsidian did a lot – it freed them up to concentrate on weaving together powerful stories and offer the player an incredibly diverse range of choice. New Vegas is a remarkably well-realized virtual world that feels appropriately dirty, lived in, and authentic. Though the mechanics may be familiar, it's a fascinating experience.</blockquote>Gamespy, 8.5/10. TUTTLE!<blockquote>Fallout: New Vegas' entire world is populated with characters that have some sort of opinion of you, depending on the actions you take for or against them. It's a pretty simple system at first glance, but it wasn't long before I found myself juggling quests in an effort to make everyone happy -- a thoroughly impossible feat (I actually felt bad when I inadvertently let down one of the factions I desperately wanted to like me). The faction system is the biggest reason I wanted to start playing the game again soon after finishing, as the game's numerous endings depended on my choices. That, more than anything, is the biggest change from previous Bethesda games like Fallout 3 or The Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion: I now have a reason to go back to those key decisions and see where the branching road takes me.
Of course, it's not like you can't keep yourself busy with plenty of great side quests if you want to sink triple-digit hours into a single playthrough. Actually, I don't even think that they can be called side quests, as nearly everything I did affected my standing with one faction or another, sometimes without my even realizing it. Learning that I failed a quest before I'd even received it occasionally gave me the impetus to reload to a previous save just to make different choices -- the video game equivalent of keeping my thumb at a previous choice in a Choose Your Own Adventure book.</blockquote>Game Rant, 4/5.<blockquote>Obsidian made several improvements to the companion system. You can still have one humanoid and one non-humanoid companion accompany you throughout your journeys in the Wasteland but a companion wheel makes interacting with your NPC allies much easier. You still cannot directly control your allies, which can be a problem at times inside buildings, since their pathfinding abilities can separate them from the player. Unless you are playing in Hardcore mode, your companions will only be knocked unconscious if they take too much damage, which is a welcome change from Fallout 3.</blockquote>7 Out Of 10, 8/10.<blockquote>Firstly, the locations are a lot more interesting this time round. Most of the larger cities are refreshingly diverse, and whether it’s a giant T-Rex Motel or a rollercoaster, the focal points are generally unique and help engage the player in each new environment. There is an injection of colour also. Buildings that haven’t been torched by nuclear war look much more vibrant and detailed, and the landscape isn’t as flat as previous games. Epic draw distances make for some great vista locations on the higher terrain, and the first time you stumble across the Vegas skyline is comparable to the ‘Manhatten Island effect’ from GTA VI – that feeling of “When will I get to go over there!”</blockquote>Aeropause, 4/5.<blockquote>While I have enjoyed my 35+ hour trip into the Mojave Desert, it is upsetting to see that a game that is so good with its story is plagued by some horrendous technical issues. At launch, Fallout New Vegas is either a love fest or a technical quagmire, all depending on the way the game launches. Sometimes, I would start up a game and it would work fine for several hours, and other times, the game would be a mess from start to the eventual crash of the Xbox 360. Yes, this game has hard locked my Xbox 360 at least a dozen times, people can be found floating in air, massive clipping issues, and at several points, companions that would die and still would not come back if I reloaded a save. These missteps have been accepted in the past with Oblivion and Fallout 3, but at this point, several years into the engine, the bugs should be fixed. I don’t put this at the foot of Obsidian directly, but it was their job to play test this thing and right now, the game is a technical landmine.</blockquote>The Gamers Hub, 4.5/5.<blockquote>This feature is always at work too, and even your smallest actions can have an effect on the world, both in the main story and the myriad of side quests, with some choices even locking out certain quests, and effecting others. Make an enemy out of a faction, for example, and you may find a later mission is far more difficult, even though the immediate rewards may seem worth it. It’s all about careful consideration of your actions and the world’s reaction, and in this respect, it’s a game that will have plenty of replay-ability. The Karma system also returns, but is also improved, thanks to this new reputation feature.</blockquote>All Age Gaming, 8.5/10.<blockquote>Ron Perlman, Michael Dorn, Mathew Perry, Rene Auberjonois, Felicia Day, Danny Trejo, Zachary Levi and Kris Kristofferson not to mention Wayne “Mr New Vegas” Newton. Two of those actors starred in Star Trek for over 10 years and one is currently the pinup girl of nerds everywhere. Certainly Obsidian didn't cut corners with voice talent, and rightly so being perhaps the highlight of the whole saga. So much so that the acting alone in sheer voices is enough to justify New Vegas as a 'full game'.</blockquote>GamrReview, 7.7/10.<blockquote>The factions are central to the storyline in New Vegas, and their feelings towards you are an explicit part of the gameplay; you can form alliances with the factions, attempt to maintain your neutrality for as long as possible, or engage in open hostilities. But not only that, you can also start manipulating, scheming and double-crossing them, all of which has an effect on the outcome of your story. The decisions you take are even more important this time around and the freedom that’s allowed for in the storyline - and through the faction system - really makes the path of your story feel organic. The only trade-off is that New Vegas feels much less focused and coherent than Fallout 3.
The core gameplay is essentially identical to that found in Fallout 3, warts and all, so it includes the same compelling VATS system, but also the same sub-standard FPS mechanics. On the whole the changes that have been introduced are all solid but minor additions. There’s a lot more weapon variety – from boxing gloves to lever-action shotguns and dynamite – and weapon customisation has been introduced, so you can equip your guns with scopes and larger magazines. A crafting system allows you to create your own supplies and, more importantly, lets you pick flowers! And of course there are new perks to take advantage of these additions.</blockquote>Dual Shockers, 9/10.<blockquote>In New Vegas, there is always so much going on. Many quests fill your Pip-Boy screen that there is never a moment where nothing is happening, because that just wouldn’t be Fallout. The overall plot for New Vegas was great, and it ties itself into all of the side-missions too. I felt that the writing staff had made a concrete story with so many different scenarios and outcomes that could go any way you choose, but the bigger picture is that it wasn’t getting meshed together. And you can’t go wrong with having an all-star cast line-up. Ron Perlman returns as the Narrator, Wayne Newton plagues the airwaves as Mr. New Vegas himself, Danny Trejo, Michael Dorn returns voicing the character Marcus (who returns from Fallout 2), Felicia Day is on board, Zachary Levi, Kris Kristofferson, Wil Wheaton, Matthew Perry and William Sadler are just a few of the people that you’ll run across out there in the beating sun.</blockquote>MS Xbox World, 8/10.<blockquote>Being a Fallout game, as expected this is going to take some serious time to get everything checked off. After having played Fallout 3, personally there was some sense of 'daunting' going on in my head as the New Vegas disc went in for the first time. It's clearly a lengthy game, but the important thing is if it can keep the player interested. While there's a lot of tasks and walking that will make the typical action or FPS gamer yawn with lack of enthusiasm, as time progresses (usually 'til 4 in the morning), there is a sense of accomplishment as you complete a significant quest or two, and each quest can be as short or excessively lengthy. </blockquote>Game Dynamo, 9.4/10.<blockquote>Speaking of stories, both the overarching plot and sideline quests are more interesting than what was on offer in Fallout III, which is saying an awful lot! I found the struggle between the New California Republic (NRC) and Caesar’s Legion for control of the region to be fascinating. I also really enjoyed the narrative of the enigmatic Mr. House and his iron-fisted control over the New Vegas Strip. These big players as well as myriad other groups are constantly competing for resources, power, and even the hearts and minds of the people. I especially loved the way normal folks strewn about the Mojave reacted to the actions and inaction of both the player character and the larger events put in motion by the varied factions, giving the backdrop depth and meaning.</blockquote>PSU, 8/10.<blockquote>What is inevitably clear with New Vegas is that it isn’t really new, and little is done by Bethesda Softworks or Obsidian to give players something truly unique. New Vegas feels and plays like a giant expansion to Fallout 3. While that certainly isn’t a bad thing seeing as we really enjoyed 2008’s mammoth RPG outing, we were hoping for something fresh and captivating in New Vegas. Indeed, while there are some minor tweaks to the gameplay, some interesting additions (like Hardcore Mode), and tons of new things to do and see, overall you will find that if you haven’t played Fallout 3 in a while, you’ll quickly remember why you either loved it or hated it.</blockquote>Game Guys Reviews, B+.<blockquote>As far as gameplay value goes, New Vegas packs twenty storylined missions. These storylined missions can go by quite slowly, but not necessarily in a bad way. Just be prepared to spend at least an hour or two (if not ten or more) on a single mission. Luckily, there are a number of side quests that can be undertaken that not only help break up the main missions but also help you level-up your character or improve/degrade your reputation with individuals and groups. There are also Vegas-themed mini-games once you make your way to the city of New Vegas. Casino games such as blackjack and slots. Gamers can feel free to win (or lose) as many bottle caps (the game's currency) as they can afford.</blockquote>GamePro Australia, 4.5/5.<blockquote>The addition of an ironsight is a present to FPS lovers, but if you are really looking for a robust shooter experience, you should turn elsewhere. With ammo rather limited in the game, you will find yourself beating your head against the wall for pumping 10 bullets into a Powder Gangster when you could have killed him with a double tap to the head using V.A.T.S. (It’s not just me. Other Fallout fans also share this sentiment.) The bottom-line is: V.A.T.S. equals ammo conservation equals survival. Or to put it another way; if you aren’t abusing the V.A.T.S. system, you might as well go off and play Halo: Reach.</blockquote>Empire Online, 4/5.<blockquote>Like in the previous game, the intense joy of playing Fallout comes from a strong central story that drives the plot forward, but with hundreds of side-missions that allow players to explore the monumental game world and discover hidden treasures, creating a delirious sense of freedom that’s missing in most adventure games. And as the decisions you make along the way can have far-reaching effects – many of which come back to haunt you the most inopportune moments – playing New Vegas creates a sense that you’re having an experience uniquely your own, and that everyone who enters New Vegas will forge a completely different path to the one you’ve chosen.</blockquote>The AV Club.<blockquote>The more meaningful change in New Vegas is a renewed emphasis on weird, dark humor. (As if there’s any other kind in the Fallout universe.) The citizens of Fallout 3 lived through doomsday, and it showed. Vegas, however, never got nuked directly, so while the area isn’t exactly Xanadu, the people are a bit more upbeat. The result is a wackier tone, reminiscent of Fallout 2. There’s still plenty of gloomy, serious fare, but there are also bits like a chipper cult of ghouls who want your help rocketing themselves into the sky, or a marauding gang of Elvis impersonators.</blockquote>Thanks GameBanshee. Who, incidentally, have a big old item database up.
Of course, it's not like you can't keep yourself busy with plenty of great side quests if you want to sink triple-digit hours into a single playthrough. Actually, I don't even think that they can be called side quests, as nearly everything I did affected my standing with one faction or another, sometimes without my even realizing it. Learning that I failed a quest before I'd even received it occasionally gave me the impetus to reload to a previous save just to make different choices -- the video game equivalent of keeping my thumb at a previous choice in a Choose Your Own Adventure book.</blockquote>Game Rant, 4/5.<blockquote>Obsidian made several improvements to the companion system. You can still have one humanoid and one non-humanoid companion accompany you throughout your journeys in the Wasteland but a companion wheel makes interacting with your NPC allies much easier. You still cannot directly control your allies, which can be a problem at times inside buildings, since their pathfinding abilities can separate them from the player. Unless you are playing in Hardcore mode, your companions will only be knocked unconscious if they take too much damage, which is a welcome change from Fallout 3.</blockquote>7 Out Of 10, 8/10.<blockquote>Firstly, the locations are a lot more interesting this time round. Most of the larger cities are refreshingly diverse, and whether it’s a giant T-Rex Motel or a rollercoaster, the focal points are generally unique and help engage the player in each new environment. There is an injection of colour also. Buildings that haven’t been torched by nuclear war look much more vibrant and detailed, and the landscape isn’t as flat as previous games. Epic draw distances make for some great vista locations on the higher terrain, and the first time you stumble across the Vegas skyline is comparable to the ‘Manhatten Island effect’ from GTA VI – that feeling of “When will I get to go over there!”</blockquote>Aeropause, 4/5.<blockquote>While I have enjoyed my 35+ hour trip into the Mojave Desert, it is upsetting to see that a game that is so good with its story is plagued by some horrendous technical issues. At launch, Fallout New Vegas is either a love fest or a technical quagmire, all depending on the way the game launches. Sometimes, I would start up a game and it would work fine for several hours, and other times, the game would be a mess from start to the eventual crash of the Xbox 360. Yes, this game has hard locked my Xbox 360 at least a dozen times, people can be found floating in air, massive clipping issues, and at several points, companions that would die and still would not come back if I reloaded a save. These missteps have been accepted in the past with Oblivion and Fallout 3, but at this point, several years into the engine, the bugs should be fixed. I don’t put this at the foot of Obsidian directly, but it was their job to play test this thing and right now, the game is a technical landmine.</blockquote>The Gamers Hub, 4.5/5.<blockquote>This feature is always at work too, and even your smallest actions can have an effect on the world, both in the main story and the myriad of side quests, with some choices even locking out certain quests, and effecting others. Make an enemy out of a faction, for example, and you may find a later mission is far more difficult, even though the immediate rewards may seem worth it. It’s all about careful consideration of your actions and the world’s reaction, and in this respect, it’s a game that will have plenty of replay-ability. The Karma system also returns, but is also improved, thanks to this new reputation feature.</blockquote>All Age Gaming, 8.5/10.<blockquote>Ron Perlman, Michael Dorn, Mathew Perry, Rene Auberjonois, Felicia Day, Danny Trejo, Zachary Levi and Kris Kristofferson not to mention Wayne “Mr New Vegas” Newton. Two of those actors starred in Star Trek for over 10 years and one is currently the pinup girl of nerds everywhere. Certainly Obsidian didn't cut corners with voice talent, and rightly so being perhaps the highlight of the whole saga. So much so that the acting alone in sheer voices is enough to justify New Vegas as a 'full game'.</blockquote>GamrReview, 7.7/10.<blockquote>The factions are central to the storyline in New Vegas, and their feelings towards you are an explicit part of the gameplay; you can form alliances with the factions, attempt to maintain your neutrality for as long as possible, or engage in open hostilities. But not only that, you can also start manipulating, scheming and double-crossing them, all of which has an effect on the outcome of your story. The decisions you take are even more important this time around and the freedom that’s allowed for in the storyline - and through the faction system - really makes the path of your story feel organic. The only trade-off is that New Vegas feels much less focused and coherent than Fallout 3.
The core gameplay is essentially identical to that found in Fallout 3, warts and all, so it includes the same compelling VATS system, but also the same sub-standard FPS mechanics. On the whole the changes that have been introduced are all solid but minor additions. There’s a lot more weapon variety – from boxing gloves to lever-action shotguns and dynamite – and weapon customisation has been introduced, so you can equip your guns with scopes and larger magazines. A crafting system allows you to create your own supplies and, more importantly, lets you pick flowers! And of course there are new perks to take advantage of these additions.</blockquote>Dual Shockers, 9/10.<blockquote>In New Vegas, there is always so much going on. Many quests fill your Pip-Boy screen that there is never a moment where nothing is happening, because that just wouldn’t be Fallout. The overall plot for New Vegas was great, and it ties itself into all of the side-missions too. I felt that the writing staff had made a concrete story with so many different scenarios and outcomes that could go any way you choose, but the bigger picture is that it wasn’t getting meshed together. And you can’t go wrong with having an all-star cast line-up. Ron Perlman returns as the Narrator, Wayne Newton plagues the airwaves as Mr. New Vegas himself, Danny Trejo, Michael Dorn returns voicing the character Marcus (who returns from Fallout 2), Felicia Day is on board, Zachary Levi, Kris Kristofferson, Wil Wheaton, Matthew Perry and William Sadler are just a few of the people that you’ll run across out there in the beating sun.</blockquote>MS Xbox World, 8/10.<blockquote>Being a Fallout game, as expected this is going to take some serious time to get everything checked off. After having played Fallout 3, personally there was some sense of 'daunting' going on in my head as the New Vegas disc went in for the first time. It's clearly a lengthy game, but the important thing is if it can keep the player interested. While there's a lot of tasks and walking that will make the typical action or FPS gamer yawn with lack of enthusiasm, as time progresses (usually 'til 4 in the morning), there is a sense of accomplishment as you complete a significant quest or two, and each quest can be as short or excessively lengthy. </blockquote>Game Dynamo, 9.4/10.<blockquote>Speaking of stories, both the overarching plot and sideline quests are more interesting than what was on offer in Fallout III, which is saying an awful lot! I found the struggle between the New California Republic (NRC) and Caesar’s Legion for control of the region to be fascinating. I also really enjoyed the narrative of the enigmatic Mr. House and his iron-fisted control over the New Vegas Strip. These big players as well as myriad other groups are constantly competing for resources, power, and even the hearts and minds of the people. I especially loved the way normal folks strewn about the Mojave reacted to the actions and inaction of both the player character and the larger events put in motion by the varied factions, giving the backdrop depth and meaning.</blockquote>PSU, 8/10.<blockquote>What is inevitably clear with New Vegas is that it isn’t really new, and little is done by Bethesda Softworks or Obsidian to give players something truly unique. New Vegas feels and plays like a giant expansion to Fallout 3. While that certainly isn’t a bad thing seeing as we really enjoyed 2008’s mammoth RPG outing, we were hoping for something fresh and captivating in New Vegas. Indeed, while there are some minor tweaks to the gameplay, some interesting additions (like Hardcore Mode), and tons of new things to do and see, overall you will find that if you haven’t played Fallout 3 in a while, you’ll quickly remember why you either loved it or hated it.</blockquote>Game Guys Reviews, B+.<blockquote>As far as gameplay value goes, New Vegas packs twenty storylined missions. These storylined missions can go by quite slowly, but not necessarily in a bad way. Just be prepared to spend at least an hour or two (if not ten or more) on a single mission. Luckily, there are a number of side quests that can be undertaken that not only help break up the main missions but also help you level-up your character or improve/degrade your reputation with individuals and groups. There are also Vegas-themed mini-games once you make your way to the city of New Vegas. Casino games such as blackjack and slots. Gamers can feel free to win (or lose) as many bottle caps (the game's currency) as they can afford.</blockquote>GamePro Australia, 4.5/5.<blockquote>The addition of an ironsight is a present to FPS lovers, but if you are really looking for a robust shooter experience, you should turn elsewhere. With ammo rather limited in the game, you will find yourself beating your head against the wall for pumping 10 bullets into a Powder Gangster when you could have killed him with a double tap to the head using V.A.T.S. (It’s not just me. Other Fallout fans also share this sentiment.) The bottom-line is: V.A.T.S. equals ammo conservation equals survival. Or to put it another way; if you aren’t abusing the V.A.T.S. system, you might as well go off and play Halo: Reach.</blockquote>Empire Online, 4/5.<blockquote>Like in the previous game, the intense joy of playing Fallout comes from a strong central story that drives the plot forward, but with hundreds of side-missions that allow players to explore the monumental game world and discover hidden treasures, creating a delirious sense of freedom that’s missing in most adventure games. And as the decisions you make along the way can have far-reaching effects – many of which come back to haunt you the most inopportune moments – playing New Vegas creates a sense that you’re having an experience uniquely your own, and that everyone who enters New Vegas will forge a completely different path to the one you’ve chosen.</blockquote>The AV Club.<blockquote>The more meaningful change in New Vegas is a renewed emphasis on weird, dark humor. (As if there’s any other kind in the Fallout universe.) The citizens of Fallout 3 lived through doomsday, and it showed. Vegas, however, never got nuked directly, so while the area isn’t exactly Xanadu, the people are a bit more upbeat. The result is a wackier tone, reminiscent of Fallout 2. There’s still plenty of gloomy, serious fare, but there are also bits like a chipper cult of ghouls who want your help rocketing themselves into the sky, or a marauding gang of Elvis impersonators.</blockquote>Thanks GameBanshee. Who, incidentally, have a big old item database up.
