(If you want a reliable, working digital copy of this game, get it here on GOG! DO NOT Fallout 3 on Steam - it is utterly broken.) This is Bethesda's first attempt at the Fallout franchise, taking over from Obsidian Entertainment. Cons It suffers from several large deficincies: somewhat poor, uninspired writing and voice acting to match; a watered-down RPG skill system; and large reliance on an overly simple combat system, which hasn't aged very well since 2008. Further, after a few hours, the player will get a sense of the lazy, lackluster world development that seems to plague most of the game. Pros None of these problems, however, significantly interfere with the awesomeness of this game. Bethesda's take on post-apocalyptia is relentlessly adventurous and memorable. This unique, nuclear disaster of a world, set in historic Washington, D.C., is immersively dismal, dark, and dangerous. The world Bethesda has created will entertain players seeking a sci-fi RPG rich in radiated monsters, power-armor-sporting soldiers with laser guns, vicious raiders and mercenaries, lovable characters, chems (drugs), nukes, mini nukes, and branching story paths. Decide who the Lone Wanderer is - the Savior of the Wastes, or just the next disaster for the people of the Capitol Wasteland? Fallout 3 is constantly put on the scale next to its predecessors (Fallout I, Fallout II) and its beloved successor (Fallout: New Vegas). Those other three games were developed by Obsidian, the originator of the Fallout series, which wanted its games to revolve around a narrative-dense storyline. They are also, without a debt, superior to Fallout 3 as RPGs. Appreciate Fallout 3 for what it is, because it definitely accomplished what it set out to do. To players who have never played a Fallout game, I would recommend starting with Fallout 3. That way you can appreciate all of New Vegas's improvements without hating FO3's shortcomings (just don't start off on the wrong foot with Fallout 4...)
