So I got around to playing Fallout 3......

As a virgin player to the series I wanted to give some of my initial thoughts and reactions about the game play and other aspects of the game. I realize this game came out quite some time ago but I never really got around to playing it even so I thought i would do a quick comparison of the game to another that came out relatively close to the release of Fallout 3 that is in my opinion the only game that is really comparable to Fallout 3. That game is of course S.T.A.L.K.E.R.: Shadow of Chernobyl. If you follow the podcast you probably know of my fandom for this franchise and I wanted to comment on some aspects of the game i find better in Fallout 3 or STALKER.

My one biggest grievance of the game so far was the Pip-Boy. I know the love for this device but i honestly can't wrap my head around it. Navigating through the menu is rather tedious for me and the fact that everything in my inventory isn't an image makes the inventory just plain ugly to look at. Not only that but going through my inventory is painfully boring and I'm always over encumbered because i dread sorting through all the crap I pick up in the wasteland. In my opinion the game would have been better with a more image related inventory style seen in games such as STALKER and Champions of Norrath. These games allow for expansive inventories while still having organization needed in these large expansive games.

On a more positive note I like how smooth the shooting is in Fallout. In STALKER all the weapons are fairly inaccurate and it is almost impossible to strafe and fight enemies that are fast that move around the screen. For instance fighting psuedodogs can be the hardest part of the game because it is hard to move quickly and hit the creatures before they come back to attack the player. In fallout the gun handling is very polished and firefights are enjoyable. The guns are also fairly accurate and the VATS system just makes game play absolutely fantastic.

The atmosphere of both games is very bleak and I adore them both. Looking across the vast irradiated fields of what used to be Washington D.C. fills me with the same glee that STALKER's environment gave me. I love running into hideously deformed monsters and talking with the locals who try to forget about the horrid situation they are in. The RPG elements are defiant more prevalent in this game then in STALKER but I love how customizable this makes my character.

I guess I'm writing this article just to say how much I love Fallout so far. I will keep you guys posted about my progress and further insight to the game as i get farther along.