Fallout 3 - Official Thread

[Cyhwuhx]

After one of the most effective openings of games, I've found the period after leaving the vault really poor.

I've been told it picks up - is this true?

.::: Again, same as with Oblivion. As soon as you're outside there's too much 'options'. Just explore, talk to people in villages and you'll find yourself having a more focused experience again with clear goals. Otherwise just randomly place your marker on the map and make that your goal and be surprised about what you stumble upon.

[Lorfarius]

So as I said before first similar game I've played since this was Liberation in the 90's on the Amiga CD32...

Few more hours in and I'm finding it so dull to play but going to give it a few more hours. Would help if anyone could explain the following...

Judging from your comments I take it you havent read the manual or even opened the Pipboy 3000? Try pressing B on the pad and having a look round there. The markers, the map, locations and quests etc are quite plain to see.

[Masu]

After one of the most effective openings of games, I've found the period after leaving the vault really poor.

I've been told it picks up - is this true?

It does. When I first got to megaton I was actually disappointed, especially as there were a lot of runaround quests, as it all seemed a bit of a mess rather than a immersive world.

I was wrong though.

Once you folow some quests into the wastes (such as the mart) the game starts to click. Remember to check out NPCs in the wastes too (marked with a triangle on your compass) as some will give quests, many of which start small but chain off into others, with you exploring the world (and opening places up for fast travel, later).

Once it does click ..

[Monkeyboy]

The museum of technology:

There's a couple of very handy Stealthboys knocking around in there. Take one of them, and you get a Predator style camo. I literally stole the dish right from under the nose of one of the Super Mutants. He even seemed to look around going "Huh?" which was quite funny.

[robdood]

I had a good session with this last night, and so far I think it's fantastic. It's a streamlined Elder Scrolls type RPG, with all the tedious grindy bits from Oblivion removed. The perk system is an ace way of customising your own class as you go, too. The fights are brutal, at the mo I'm enjoying just scavenging and preparing myself for the main story by doing mini sidequests or going randomly exploring (scary enemies and... things have been encountered eek) - I heard about a place called Oasis or something off some random bandits, which has put a marker on my map way up north, so I may wander off to check it out this morning

Epic adventures are ahead. I'm sorry for people who can't get into it. Especially if you liked Oblivion. It's more of the same!

Oh and - awesome sunrise/sunsets in this. And wub the drawdistance!

[Lovelyman]

Willing to give this another chance. Do the environments improve or is it just busted cars and rubble everywhere?

[Lorfarius]

Willing to give this another chance. Do the environments improve or is it just busted cars and rubble everywhere?

Yes theres several cities and lush forests to the North Good God its a post nuclear war game. The world has been destroyed, irradiated. Civilisation reduced to small groups of people trying to survive. What were you expecting?

[Cyhwuhx]

Willing to give this another chance. Do the environments improve or is it just busted cars and rubble everywhere?

.::: Post.

Apocalyptic.

*facepalm*

[bradigor]

The museum of technology:

There's a couple of very handy Stealthboys knocking around in there. Take one of them, and you get a Predator style camo. I literally stole the dish right from under the nose of one of the Super Mutants. He even seemed to look around going "Huh?" which was quite funny.

Pretty much what I did....

Was fucking nerve-racking sitting there hiding, after taking the dish, hoping the Stealthboy effects didn't wear off then making a mad dash for the door with little health left so I can quick warp to the Washington Monument, only to find that I couldn't as there were enemies near by. I then just ran and ran and ran till I got inside the Washington Monument. Was immense

[Lorfarius]

.::: Post.

Apocalyptic.

*facepalm*

I'm glad I'm not the only one

[Mr. Gerbik]

It's better in almost every way than Oblivion: far better draw distance, far less pop-up, no idiotic 'the-whole world-levels-with-you' system, far better customization and levelling options, better and more varied quests, better dialogue (although still nowhere near as good as Vampire - Bloodlines), better animation, better 'radiant AI', no tired and clichéd Lord of the Rings setting etc etc etc.

But somehow I don't like it yet, and I realised that I should stop comparing Fallout 3 to Morrowind, or rather to the fantastic playing experience I had with that game. With so many quality games out right now begging to be played, I've decided to concentrate on those other games for the time being and wait until NXE is out. Then I can install this to my HDD and start anew without unreasonably high expectations. Everybody seems to really love it, so I'm determined to give it a proper chance.

[bradigor]

.::: Post.

Apocalyptic.

*facepalm*

I was drawn in the second I stepped out of the vault.....Is exactly how I would want the world to look. Really works with the flashes of pastel colours from old posters and billboards etc.

[Yewone]

I was expecting STALKER crossed with Oblivion

This is EXACTLY how I'd describe it to be honest... and I loved both the STALKER games.

I think games like this are always going to be a bit Marmite. People will either get along with the almost total lack of handholding throughout... or not.

Im about 6 or 7 hours in now, done a couple of quests, got dogmeat and a house and its all clicking into place perfectly. As someone posted earlier, for me no game has captured that feel of kitting up and going off "exploring" better. Just leave Megaton head off in a random direction and see what you stumble across.. its magic.

Also those people saying its all a bit dull.. just what exactly we're you expecting from a post-apocolyptic setting? I think they have nailed it!

[Capwn]

Judging from your comments I take it you havent read the manual or even opened the Pipboy 3000? Try pressing B on the pad and having a look round there. The markers, the map, locations and quests etc are quite plain to see.

No my manual is dutch so having to make do with explanations in the game which on the whole is doing the job. I think I've not noticed that you can marker objectives, when I was trying last night I could only marker places I've discovered. Could not marker megaton city as it's not available on the map. Will give it another go.

[Lovelyman]

Yes theres several cities and lush forests to the North Good God its a post nuclear war game. The world has been destroyed, irradiated. Civilisation reduced to small groups of people trying to survive. What were you expecting?

.::: Post.

Apocalyptic.

*facepalm*

Yeah, well there's gotta be hideous mutated forests, there still would be ancient underground ruins to explore etc.

Facepalm yourselves you brainiacs.

[Mr. Gerbik]

No my manual is dutch so having to make do with explanations in the game which on the whole is doing the job. I think I've not noticed that you can marker objectives, when I was trying last night I could only marker places I've discovered. Could not marker megaton city as it's not available on the map. Will give it another go.

I will give you a hint to get you started, as the freedom and options can be overwhelming when you first step out of Vault 101. You can find Megaton City by

following the only road from Vault 101 - it's on your left. It's only a short distance and there are huge signs along that road with 'MEGATON' written on them and an arrow pointing in the right direction, you can't miss it

[Cyhwuhx]

No my manual is dutch so having to make do with explanations in the game which on the whole is doing the job. I think I've not noticed that you can marker objectives, when I was trying last night I could only marker places I've discovered. Could not marker megaton city as it's not available on the map. Will give it another go.

.::: You can plant your Transparent Marker wherever you want on the Map. It's the Solid Marker that's quest dependent. If it doesn't allow you to do so, you are pressing the 'travel to' button (X/A) which is the same as Oblivion's Insta-Travel. Hit Square/X instead to place a marker.

[edit] Other stuff people might not know:

- Hold Square/X while playing to holster your weapon, tap it to reload.

- Hold Circle/B while playing to turn on the lights.

- Depending upon your Repair skill you can repair stuff you carry if you have at least two of said item. Just hit Triangle/Y in the Item menu. You can never repair a higher percentage than your Repair skill.

- Sleep, purified water and stimpaks are the best way to replenish health without getting rads.

- And a recap for bartering; barter is based upon item-swaps. Caps are used as a last resort.

If you want to 'buy', select the stuff you want from the right list and you'll see how much your selection is worth in caps. Now press L1/LB and select items you want to get pay with. For each item you'll trade away the worth in caps is diminished.

If you want to 'sell' start by pressing L1/RB to dump your own stuff, be warned that the worth in caps will stop at the maximum amount of caps that person has (worth in caps will turn dull)! However the actual worth is still calculated! After selecting all the items you want to get rid of, press R1/RB to select what items you want to have in return. Keep selecting until the worth in caps lights up again; that's your sign you've spend all the 'over-worth' and the person can pay the actual difference with caps again. Be sure to take some traded items back (marked with a small square in the lists) if this proves impossible.

[bradigor]

Adam is about the 4th person I have heard mention difficulties like that. I usually avoid games like this like the plague. But I have taken to the "here is the gameworld, here is a story. Follow it, don't follow it, your choice" idea like a duck to water. Really thought I would struggle. Yes I don't have a house and I an struggling to keep my health and ammo in good supply, but being on the edge of survival seems right for someone who just stepped into the open world for the 1st time.

[Mr. Gerbik]

No my manual is dutch so having to make do with explanations in the game which on the whole is doing the job. I think I've not noticed that you can marker objectives, when I was trying last night I could only marker places I've discovered. Could not marker megaton city as it's not available on the map. Will give it another go.

I almost forgot! The best possible tip for when you can't read the Dutch manual: press start and then the 'tutorial' or 'explanation' or whatever it's called option. Everything you need to know is explained there, there are a lot of pages to trawl through, but it will answer every basic question you might have.

[OgreTeaBag]

Why!!!!! My 360 red ringed and now this is out. i am cry so can anyone recommend getting survival edition or should i just get the standard game?

[bradigor]

I almost forgot! The best possible tip for when you can't read the Dutch manual: press start and then the 'tutorial' or 'explanation' or whatever it's called option. Everything you need to know is explained there, there are a lot of pages to trawl through, but it will answer every basic question you might have.

Or use this site:

http://planetfallout.gamespy.com/wiki/Fallout_3

[OgreTeaBag]

bearing in mind that it has now been repaired and should be back with me soon Or should i wait till after gears 2 comes out and i complete that?

[Monkeyboy]

Whoaa! These Fire Ants in the station are giving me a hard time. I was pleased as punch when I took one out with a single stealth shot. But then I messed up the next one, and the fucker would just not go down. I unloaded every last bit of ammo from my Chinese pistol into him. I think I might leave and come back later.

[Flub]

Whoaa! These Fire Ants in the station are giving me a hard time. I was pleased as punch when I took one out with a single stealth shot. But then I messed up the next one, and the fucker would just not go down. I unloaded every last bit of ammo from my Chinese pistol into him. I think I might leave and come back later.

Chinese pistols are rubbish. You're far better off selling them (but keep the ammo for the hunting rifle) and using the money to keep a 10mm weapon in good repair.

In other weapon related news can I get a high five for The Ripper? Yeah baby. It dices and slices.

[Hexx]

Just got to GNR. Think it's picked up alot.

I hadn't realised you could do more than one VATS action at a time. *facepalm*

Combat's much more fun now! My silenced pistol and sneaking, plus multiple head shots mean it's good.

Question - I've horded loads of loot, but the shop in Megaton doesn't have any Caps left to buy stuff. I assume this comes back over time? If I leave the loot in my house to sell later, it wont "disappear" right?

[pompey88]

Whoaa! These Fire Ants in the station are giving me a hard time. I was pleased as punch when I took one out with a single stealth shot. But then I messed up the next one, and the fucker would just not go down. I unloaded every last bit of ammo from my Chinese pistol into him. I think I might leave and come back later.

If you shoot their antennas they go into a frenzy and start attacking each other. Try to find a better gun too!

Question - I've horded loads of loot, but the shop in Megaton doesn't have any Caps left to buy stuff. I assume this comes back over time? If I leave the loot in my house to sell later, it wont "disappear" right?

Yes it regenerates over time, the items will still be in your home when you come back, fear not.

[Joyrex-J9]

I've still got Fable II on the go, but this turned up on Friday.

Don't really want to start it until I can dedicate some proper time to it, I think it'll lose some impact if I have a half arsed 'test' play for an hour or too before starting it properly.

Right on the shelf it goes.

[pompey88]

For anyone who has been to Galaxy News Station as part of the main quest

Were you told to go to Rivet City? Because I was avoiding the main quest but when I went to Rivet City on my own and spoke to a couple of people it updated the GNR as completed.. Bit annoyed I didn't get the chance to do it..

[Hexx]

I think the game really suffers at not properly explaining things?

Can someone explain to me - what does Radiaition poisoning actually do

Also - I hit "a" during the loack picking tutorial. How do I do it?

Edit - pompey88 I'll tell you soon

[minstrels]

For anyone who has been to Galaxy News Station as part of the main quest

Were you told to go to Rivet City? Because I was avoiding the main quest but when I went to Rivet City on my own and spoke to a couple of people it updated the GNR as completed.. Bit annoyed I didn't get the chance to do it..

Once you help Three-Dog, he tells you your father went to Rivet City to talk to Doctor Li. So the next quest is to go speak to Doctor Li, so if you talk to Li accidentally without realising, it'll still count.

I think the game really suffers at not properly explaining things?

Can someone explain to me - what does Radiaition poisoning actually do

Also - I hit "a" during the loack picking tutorial. How do I do it?

Edit - pompey88 I'll tell you soon

Rotate your bobby pin, and then rotate the screwdriver. If the screwdriver starts putting force on the bobby pin, you need to move the bobby pin round more.