New Vegas takes us to (where else?) New Vegas. More specifically, the alternate-universe post-apocalyptic Mojave wasteland of 2281. You play a courier for the Mojave Express, who was carrying a platinum poker chip which you are subsequently shot and killed for by a casino owner named Benny (voiced by Matthew Perry). You are revived, by a man named Doc Mitchell, after being unburied by a robot named Victor. The “Courier’s” journey begins there as you set to find who killed you and why, and eventually settle feuds between the three factions of New Vegas: the mysterious Mr. House who practically owns the New Vegas strip; NCR or New California Republic, which fans of Fallout 2 may remember greatly; and Caesar’s Legion who are slavers attempting to liberate the wasteland under a rule similar to that of Julius Caesar in ancient Rome.
The connections with the original two games in the franchise is highly apparent in New Vegas. Marcus, a super mutant once again voiced by Michael Dorn, makes his appearance. Talking to him, gives dialogue about the Master’s army (from the first Fallout) and a tribal he had traveled with (meaning “the Chosen One,” main character of Fallout 2). Another big connection is the large presence of the NCR, an organization you help begin in Fallout 2. The mythos is retained much better than Fallout 3.
Speaking of which, Fallout 3 didn’t have a great mythos that much at all. I’m all for moving the location and moving the franchise forward, but the story surrounding the first Fallouts were really great in my opinion. Their weren’t very strong (a tradition held pretty well through Fallout 3 and New Vegas) but I think the setting really made it. Fallout 3 took about half of it, and tried to do it’s own thing with the DC wasteland. Fallout: New Vegas takes right back for the most part, and it feels wonderful!
Don’t expect a similarly wonderful feeling from the gameplay. It’s not bad. It’s exactly like Fallout 3’s (for those who haven’t played that, The Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion with guns and stuff) only this time around, we have the welcome addition of iron sight aiming. This addition actually make shooting outside of VATS possible. Also, companion actually work in this one. They’re all competent fighters, and your ‘companion wheel’ is very convenient. Actually other minor additions such as tons more weapons, a return of the reputation system, and ammo-making make for a good experience.
The presentation as barely changed at all. Graphics look exactly the same, if not worse at times (more on that later). The original score has a lot of old tracks, which is really cool, but they were not very good in the first place. Now the licensed track are better with both Sinatra and Crosby, but seem to be fewer tracks than in Fallout 3 (again, something I’ll touch more upon later). All together, it doesn’t look or sound awful.
Actually the voice acting is top-notch. There is an well-known cast here. Zachary Levi, Felicia Day, Danny Trejo, and even “Mr. Las Vegas” Wayne Newton, lends his voice to New Vegas’ loving DJ “Mr. New Vegas.” And as always, Ron Perlman returns to give his signature Fallout Narration.
Now to be fair and warn those who may want to know, this game earns it’s “M” rating. It earns it without the use of nudity to be fair though. Sex, drugs, violence and all that good stuff run rampant throughout New Vegas. What were you expecting though? It’s a video game about a post-apocalyptic Las Vegas for cryin’ out loud!
How does Fallout: New Vegas sound so far? Pretty good? I would hope so! I know that you know there is probably a catch. There is. The games seems very… unfinished.
I just mean New Vegas is riddled with glitches. More than just lines where the textures end (which is so bad here it’s not even funny). There are some big ones. One time, I’d go by raft to a Legion fort, and in there was a crucified NCR trooper. I tried to talk to him, but every time I tried, I would be sent back to the island I came from. I have even heard rumors of glitches that could have ruined my console, but I had no such luck. The songs seem to be so few because something makes only four of them be played the majority of the time. The amount of glitches can get frustrating. You have been warned.
As a game it is better than Fallout 3. More weapons, more quests, more choices. It’s really fun if you like Fallout, or even RPGs of this style. Those glitches, however, really hold this game back. As a game, I give Fallout: New Vegas 90/100 points. However, with glitches factored in 60/100 points. Skip it until Bethesda releases a patch, if you’re not bursting at the seems to get this one.
