Yup, great game [tho very easy one, even on a hardcore level], only if we could forget that Beth’s one, outdated engine, shamefully poor AI and baggage of alien abductions, sanctity of BOS, deadly tedybears, nuclear kabooms at every corner and similar “did’t got it” ideas of those, to be civil, funny souls in Bethesda writing department. But then again, it’s an old story. And, a very sad one.
My main complaints are UI and AI. Understanding the reasons for that, I still can’t understand lack of effort to simplify and implement obvious PC advantages in terms of keyboard and mouse presence in respect of UI. I have lost my hope in RAI long time ago, so in that respect it’s futile to discuss. Another, more subtle complain is gear balancing, and level cap, but they are more or less personal preferences (I was lvl 30 before I finished 50% of the game, so the rest of the game lose appeal to me in great extent)
FPS part is much better than last one, 3rd POV is more usable, world is more real. Personally, I didn’t like New Vegas casinos. I respect effort to infuse them with some “meat”, especially white gloves, but they all seemed sterile to me. Freeside had much more soul in that respect. Deathclaws are really deadly this time, and that is refreshing. As were Cazadors.
On a bright side, only by having an engine, graphic and all technical elements already in place from a previous game, Obsidian could have done all those things that matters to anyone who SERIOUSLY wants to dive into this world; story, quests, internal relations, etc, as they are de-facto outside contractors.
Overall, I’m pleasantly surprised, tho I really think old fallout is long time dead. This might be last kick of a dyeing horse because I don’t think Bethesda will give their game solely to another company. You can bet more pure Beth’s F3 experience in near future.
There is interesting opportunity for Obsidian related to this issue. This game could be nice starting point for new IP, more inclined to RPG elements then Beth’s pos, separating universes but in more subtle level. Something similar (but not same) as Bioware's Mass Effect, which is, in some elements, ahm, let’s say “spiritual” successor to KOTOR philosophy after they have done KOTOR 2. Just food for thought, but that could be rebirth same old feeling that we had playing F1/2. Tough to do it, but if anyone could do it, among very small number of companies, Obsidian is one of them. Question is do they really have that kind of energy to reinvent themselves. As I have read, judging by First Protocol, I’m not so sure. But I think there is a chance if there is a will or motive.
