I think this part in particular is just because its new. I imagine after folks have the new gameplay changes down pat we'll all be back to "guns blazing" just the same.

Precisely. I mean, I still can't just step out of the Vault and go guns blazing in FO3. I need to sneak around and get some gear and XP first. Unless, I am trying to kill molerats and radroaches, but really, how tough are they supposed to be?

Naturally this is all a matter of personal opinion. I'm loving New Vegas so far, and I think I'm more "into it" than I was with Fallout 3. In fact, my opinion might just be the reverse of yours in that extent; don't get me wrong, I loved every minute of Fallout 3, but I didn't really get "svcked in" until a bit further into the main quest, probably around the Jefferson Memorial or so.

- As for NPCs, like I said, that's purely personal opinion.

- I don't notice the VATS issues as much as a lot of people seem to, and believe me, I was a big VATS user in Fallout 3. The accuracy definitely drops off at long range compared to FO3, sure, but I get a lot of use out of it at moderate distances too, especially with higher accuracy weapons like my Varmint Rifle, and of course those numbers will only increase as my skill levels do. As you may be able to guess, I'm still pretty early into the game, so if I can make use of VATS at this point (at which point it was similarly unhelpful in FO3), then they can't have neutered it all that much.

- I kind of agree about the crafting, but I think it's just that it's so overwhelming at first, especially the ammo stuff. I went up to a reloading bench and didn't have a damn clue what the hell I was doing. But I think it may become a little more apparent once I've done some scavving (or "prospecting" as they call it in the Mojave) and have more parts that might be useful in reloading, so I'll hold off judgment on that feature until later.

- I have mixed feelings about what they've done with encounters too, but overall I feel that it makes the Wasteland more realistic without significantly detracting from the game experience. I mean, the Wasteland is supposed to be an extremely dangerous place, but it doesn't really feel that way if you can walk from west to east and south to north and encounter nothing more dangerous than a few geckos and bloatflies just because you're still level 1. I got a sense of that danger when I hit Sloan and was told I shouldn't go any further north because of... well, I won't spoil it and it's not major enough to use spoiler tags, but those of you who have been there know what I'm referring to. Sure, it may be annoying that you can't make a beeline for New Vegas, but I think Obsidian really tried to push the immersion factor in this game, and that does it.

- Can't say much about the exploration because I haven't done much of it yet. If there really are as many locations as Obsidian claims, though, I can't help but feel that exploration will be rewarding overall.

I think this is a good assessment.

If FO3 is a Disney movie, then FONV is a REVENGE FLICK! FONV is also feels much more like a sandbox where FO3 is a canned story.

FONV requires you to bring a lot more to the game in terms of imagination and roleplaying. That might not suit some, but personally, I love it!

PS

Where are my two-headed grizzlies!?!

Given the varying responses here, it seems like Obsidian made a old school hardcoe fallout game, It seems people who love challenge and open ended exploration of the old fallouts love this game, while players who loved Fallout 3 and the more 'casual' approach are having problems getting into this game. Of course at very easy Im not having difficulty with combat and I've not died yet, but it does seem rather more challenging regardless and less casual.

Just like all Obsidian games, I see NV shaping up into you either love it or hate it, that seems to be the way Obsidian works, all their other games were like that as well, there really isnt any middle ground. However I dont feel like I wasted money, its obviously a labor of love this game but I dont think the FO3 fans where the "Target Audience".

But New Vegas isn't a sequel to Fallout 3. It's more like an offshoot (like Tactics or something). I have no problem with the game, I'm sure I will love it. But it's not going to be Fallout 4, only Fallout 4 can be that

It's just you. Now everything I pick up can be used for something. i.e. making some secret drink or wine, or food. And reloading, that is crazy. That is a great idea, you can make your own hollowpoints, or FMJ rounds. Weapon customization!! This game is great and so far the only downside I've seen is the map isn't quite as big as FO3. However, they make up for that by putting way more NPC towns and camps and lets not forget Vegas.

And sandbox games that have no actual story get extremly dull after a few hours. That's the main reason I don't play them and was suprised I finished FO3...twice.



Most true roleplaying games are a mix between a "linear plot" and a sandbox. Usually the campaign creator has an idea about where they want you to go and what you're going to be doing and along the way may or may not add some side encounters in, but generally you are herded towards a specific destination. I'm just going to assume you haven't played too many traditional RPG's. The main "imagination" element comes from your dialogue, how you want to approach the situation and simply imagining the way the fights look in your head. In a virtual game world, you shouldn't have to pretend how things play out or imagine things in your head that aren't in the game just to make it "fun". That's poor game design.

I dissagree.

Everythign in Vegas is better then Fallout3, except for the radio.

Story is better, gamepaly is better, rpg elements are way better, voice acting is better, characters are better, atmosphere is better and the dialogue destorys Fallout3's dialogue.

Fallout3 I didnt like much (7/10 I would give it), but New Vegas I LOVE and would give 9/10.

Fallout New Vegas FEELS like a real RPG and like the old Fallout games.. Fallout3 does not.

Same here. Much better writing and more RPG mechanics combined with a more interesting world and story. This game is much better than Fallout 3 if you ask moi.

Fallout 1&2 fans need to get over themselves. Its like having that older uncle who refuses to get rid of his 80's haircut even though he now has a huge bald spot on the top of his head. You're embarrassing yourselves. Turn off the Night Ranger cassettes, get rid of the Michael Jackson glove, and join us here in the 21st century. :laugh:

I'm sure NV is going to turn out to be a great game as I get deeper into it, but it hasn't really done anything yet to "pull me in" to the setting or invest anything in the story. And just remember, without FO3 and how great it was and how well it was received, you wouldn't even have NV to drool over. ^_^

lol, I love how you say GET OVER it, we are suppose to get over our opinion and feelings on the game?
If anyone should get over themselves its yourself.

Some of us appreciate that New Vegas has a much better story, characters, atmosphere, rpg elements and voice acting then Fallout3.
To me this destroys Fallout3 in every way except graphics are the same and the radio was better in Fallout3. But all the important stuff is much more enjoyable in New Vegas.
Obsidian knows how to do stories, characters and dialogue a hell of alot better then Bethesda does.

Just because its not pulling you in yet doesnt mean its the same for the rest of us. I have played 6 hours of this game and its already 100 times more enjoyable then Fallout3 was.
This is my opinion, get over yourself pal.

The quests are this game's main strength.
You can play people against eachother, get deals out of peopl... etc. It's very interesting. I really didn't expect the quests to be so awesome.

Crafting seems a bit unpolished I totally agree there.

THe pacing is good. IF you want to be a Lone Wander in this game you've seriously got to have a badass fighter build. In F:NV you NEED to have companions / friends out there to survive if your character isn't a combat baddie.

In Fallout 3 I can't ever remember having to walk away from a fight. But I've already had to twice (Vault 34 - holy chit) and a battle with the powder gangers. I think it's very appropriate.

Yeah, the game has been out a whole day. That's certainly enough time to make a valid comparison.



:rolleyes:

"alot" is two words btw.....

That should be interesting.

btw, like your sig. :hubbahubba: And don't worry, I'm sure there will be a mod for that eventually.

It is perfectly valid....
In the 6 hours ive played New Vegas I have had MORE FUN then I had with 50 hours of Fallout3.
Get over yourself, some people like this game more then Fallout3.. not everyoen has the same opinion as yourself.
This is teh game that Fallout3 should have been, more focused on story, characters, dialogue and atmosphere.

I think it's just you, to be honest. New Vegas is keeping me busy as hell. I spend so much time exploring and scaving, occasionally rememebering theres a MQ and go back to aid Mr. House. I also just met Marcus, I loved it

I haven't played the game yet so I can't comment on it, but I hate to admit that all this "it's not like Fallout 3, it's too complicated, it's too challenging, etc" stuff is really giving me good vibes for the friday European release (usually negative views give a bad vibe). Keep it up guys. B)

I haven't played all that much yet. Just a few hours. But so far the game is not pulling me in like FO3 did.

I think it depends on the player.

The quests are really sweet. Speech/barter are very important now when dealing with other characters. Seem like every other character I talk to has some speech or barter check for part of a quest.

The main difference I see between F3 and F:NV is the difference between landscape and characters.

FO3 has an awesome novelty landscape - picking through the DC ruins was sweet. You don't get that feel from F:NV. The locations are a bit melodramatic and the wasteland is ok.

But

FO3 had really shallow and 1 Dimensional characters. F:NV has characters that are actually interesting and have agendas of their own. They're not just information bots or money bots or shooty bots. There's more depth to the characters and as a result much more depth to the quests.

New Vegas world feels way more complete and whole. F3 felt like they built the main quest and then set is aside. Oh wait, they actually did say they did that. And it shines through. There is a huge disconnect. The places in F3 were too plentiful and nothing but giant loot caches. It is refreshing to not be finding things every couple of steps. I've actually had to use the shops a few times, something that in 6 playthroughs of F3 I never actually had to do. I used the shops 3 times. Once because I realized I hadn't tried one yet. It makes more sense in New Vegas why people are down trodden and the gangs are able to control them. Because there aren't guns and ammo laying everywhere. F3 was just a clutter of "You Win" everywhere. It wasn't challenging, it's quests provided no incentive to even put a modicum of thought into them and if you did you were reminded to stop thinking by it not working. The morality of New Vegas is way more gray.
In F3 it was practically non-existing and filled with karma dispensing machines in case you wanted to switch. In fact everything in F3 felt set up to let you correct yourself without any penalties.
Everyplace and everything need not be a side quest or have rewards.

I'm actually liking the characters, story, and atmosphere in NV much better than those in FO3. As far as things "opening up," I sort of felt like the story was being spoon-fed to me in FO3, and in NV I feel like I'm making my own story. It's not going to "pull you in" like FO3's obligatory story arc, but it definitely gives you more freedom. In RPGs (especially open-world ones) I prefer the latter. I'm really liking NV so far, bugs aside.

Playing on Hard with hardcoe Mode on is providing challenges that are surpassing what I saw in FO3 too, which I'm liking. I actually have to watch my health now, whereas in FO3 I could just charge into any situation and just pause and spam aid. Enemies actually have a chance to kill me now.

Maybe not directly out of the Vault but it was nothing to kill a handful of Super Mutants with little more than a worn out hunting rifle. This is something that simply should not be possible. I had a pack of Geckos almost tear me apart on Hard/hardcoe in the second hour playing. Never in FO3 was there a fear of dying. Simply hotkey & burn a handful of your 3 or 4 hundred stimpacks.

Everything you posted and I responded with is, of course, a matter of opinion, but I find myself seeing most of what you dislike as something I consider to be refreshing elements over FO3.

Well, I think FONV has plenty of plot to mix with the sandbox.

I vehemently disagree with you about the role of imagination in game play. I really resent having a crappy story inflicted upon me when mine are almost always better.

I dunno, maybe it's a generational thing. I'm an old geezer and I grew up in a time when imagination was essential to play. Toys didn't come with TV shows telling you HOW to play. You had to make it up as you went along.

I'm glad FONV let's ME fill in the blanks when I want... That's not poor design. That's give the player the freedom to play THEIR OWN GAME.

It's a good thing.