Fallout is a game that did a lot of things differently from other RPGs in the 90s, from the setting to the combat system. Th willingness to step off the beaten path can be difficult to appreciate nowadays, now that it's become a famous franchise, but it's still an essential part of RPG history
The plot is relatively simple. The Vault, or underground bomb shelter, where you're living needs a replacement part for the machine that provides everyone with clean water, so you have to go out to find one. Your journey takes you across a California ravaged by nuclear war, where survivors struggle to eke out a living. The story is a bit basic for its time, but the setting is original and enjoyable to play in.
The character creation system is one of the more elaborate ones I've seen in a RPG. You have seven main stats, each of which boosts your abilities in various ways, increase your skills and determine which perks you can use. You can pick up to two traits, each of which has very significant strengths and drawbacks. Skills have a variety of purposes, from shooting guns in combat to picking locks to convincing other people to do what you want, and you can "tag" three of them to double the points you invest in them, enabling a variety of builds and playstyles. Perks are special abilities that you get every three levels, which range from small but useful bonuses to powerful skills. You will need to choose carefully, especially in your initial character creation, which can be a daunting prospect, but gives you a great deal of freedom.
The combat system consists of a turn-based system that awards you a certain amount of action points each turn, which you spend by moving, firing your gun or using items. It's a nice approach to turn-based combat, although you don't have as many options as in some RPGs- just firing your weapon, reloading as necessary or using healing items.
There's a good variety of quests to do in the wasteland, some of which have multiple solutions. For example, you can help the mayor of Junktown gain evidence against a crooked businessman, or side with that businessman against the mayor. The number of quests is somewhat limited compared to subsequent games, but there's still a lot to do.
Overall, Fallout comes off as a bit dated in comparison to its successors, but it was an innovative RPG for the time that is still fun to play today.
VideoGame A great game, if somewhat dated
Fallout is a game that did a lot of things differently from other RPGs in the 90s, from the setting to the combat system. Th willingness to step off the beaten path can be difficult to appreciate nowadays, now that it's become a famous franchise, but it's still an essential part of RPG history
The plot is relatively simple. The Vault, or underground bomb shelter, where you're living needs a replacement part for the machine that provides everyone with clean water, so you have to go out to find one. Your journey takes you across a California ravaged by nuclear war, where survivors struggle to eke out a living. The story is a bit basic for its time, but the setting is original and enjoyable to play in.
The character creation system is one of the more elaborate ones I've seen in a RPG. You have seven main stats, each of which boosts your abilities in various ways, increase your skills and determine which perks you can use. You can pick up to two traits, each of which has very significant strengths and drawbacks. Skills have a variety of purposes, from shooting guns in combat to picking locks to convincing other people to do what you want, and you can "tag" three of them to double the points you invest in them, enabling a variety of builds and playstyles. Perks are special abilities that you get every three levels, which range from small but useful bonuses to powerful skills. You will need to choose carefully, especially in your initial character creation, which can be a daunting prospect, but gives you a great deal of freedom.
The combat system consists of a turn-based system that awards you a certain amount of action points each turn, which you spend by moving, firing your gun or using items. It's a nice approach to turn-based combat, although you don't have as many options as in some RPGs- just firing your weapon, reloading as necessary or using healing items.
There's a good variety of quests to do in the wasteland, some of which have multiple solutions. For example, you can help the mayor of Junktown gain evidence against a crooked businessman, or side with that businessman against the mayor. The number of quests is somewhat limited compared to subsequent games, but there's still a lot to do.
Overall, Fallout comes off as a bit dated in comparison to its successors, but it was an innovative RPG for the time that is still fun to play today.