I've seen loads of "can't continue after endgame" topics and posts coming up lately. I can understand the frustration, but also Obsidian's reasoning. I'm actually quite happy with the game having a definitive ending. However, during the game we do spend a long time creating our character. I don't know if anyone out there is the same as me, but using my character is just as much fun as levelling the character. I spend a lot of time planning what I want, equipment, perk, and skill wise. I plan the perfect character to suit me, and then create it with a playthrough.

Personally I'd then like to be able to use that in subsequent playthroughs to experience other storylines and arcs. There would be a lot of stipulation regarding levelling etc, for example, any skill books taken in previous playthroughs shouldn't spawn in subsequent ones. Implants would remain, but if you've maxed them in one playthrough, you're still restricted by END so can't get anymore. That kind of thing. With New Game + you shouldn't be able to achieve a build that isn't possible in a single playthrough, you just have the benefit of using a character from the start.

In terms of equipment I would also suggest restrictions on what gets carried over. Maybe have a screen similar to a vendor when you start a New Game +, with weight restrictions, and number restrictions on weightless items (such as Stimpacks, and even Ammo), thus not allowing you to start with an extreme amount of high level equipment, but enough for your character to still use his/her specialised equipment (for example, I'm currently level 16 using a Reinforced Leather Armour, Pre-War Hat, Combat Knife, Hunting Rifle, and .44 Magnum). Also, a Bottlecap reset so you don't start off filthy rich.

Anyway, that's a brief overview of my take on the system, and possible balancing issues. Any further thoughts, suggestions, and opinions are most welcome. Thank you for your time!

So, do you mean using the smae character in every New Game with the same stats and all? I kinda agree with the Stimpack restriction thought, One cannot simply have 1, 000, 000 stimpacks.

Yeah. It would be another option on the main menu, under New Game. Only available after you've completed a runthrough. You can take any "quest complete" character, stats, implants, perks, and limited inventory, and start from the opening cutscene again. If you're Level 30 you still can't level up any more, you can play with a fully levelled character from the start though.

It could be simple enough, add a last automatic save when the end credits roll and when you start the character up again it will have the exact stuff you had when completing the game.
Wouldn't mind it really.
Don't think I would use it more than once.
I'm more hoping for HCM+1 though.

Wow, really? Noone else interested?

What did you expect?
New Game + would be kinda boring in a game like this.
At least in other games you start out on the last level you were at when completing the game but now enemies are evenly leveled with you and you can level up even farther.

if im not mistaken fallout 3 had an ending untill the dlc started comeing out to add more quests and increase character leveling.(my mind svcks tho and could be fooling me becuase all i remeber from FO3 is brother hood of steel, big laser shooting robot, and me dying in a radation chamber of death trying to be a hero.)

it's very simple to go around it, just download a mod that lets you play after the MQ

If he's not playing on a console that is.

I think you missed the point. I don't mind restarting, but when I've meticulously planned my "perfect character" and then taken the time and dedication to create that character, I'd like a bit more to do with it once it's built. Starting over with that character would be more fun for me than playing after the end, and certainly more fun than starting from scratch again.

PS: yes I am on a console, wish I could afford a decent PC so I could just make these things a reality, alas I still have to rely on Obsidian while I try and save (once I've payed for a car and college).

My Main query is WHY is this stuff not already availabe in this game (or the other fallout!).
A '+' game , no (or a really high) level cap , fleshed out exploration, etc, etc , etc. Are RPG basics, and it always shocks me that these games are missing suich things!

Another RPG basic is trying various different characters and seeing how and what can be done differently. I realise it's the popular thing to have god characters that do everything, but not powergaming has its fun moments too.

If you want to be some min/maxing munchkin, that's fine too. You stop the main quest at the point of no return or you don't progress in it until you've done everything else. It's that simple.

It would only make sense if you could continue leveling.. But since you can get to 30 before doing the entire game it seems rather pointless.

And this comes as a surprise why? The "play after endgame" horse was beaten beyond death into a pile of dust long before release, and this idea really isn't much more than a very slight spin on the aforementioned dead horse.

Nevermind some of the more practical problems...starting over with a level 30 character, so you run into a monster that's not a joke when? About three-fourths of the way through the storyline, if then?

Let's at least be honest, and instead of "New Game +" call it "New Godmode Game." Or in the spirit of some of those annoying challenges in-game, maybe "Cheese Pizza Mode?"

I can see what you're saying here, the game is designed to lead you in and progress at particular rate. However, my thoughts weren't entirely based on combat, more the speech checks. When I'm playing a character I know to be extremely repair based it's very frustrating to have a check that's a couple of points ahead, causing me to have to complete the quest in a more uncharacteristic way. I tend to roleplay my characters and I often feel my endgame outcomes don't match the character, they match the levelling. It's even more noticeable in New Vegas compared to FO3 as you would already have much of that knowledge of who you are. Sure you got shot in the head, but everyone says you turned out well, and it's obvious in some conversations that you have memories from before that event.

My guess on the combat front would be to have a reshuffle of balances for New Game + games to counter the effect of having the high level character.

Don't understand why everyone is flipping a lid about the definite ending for, the first dlc will most likely add 10 new levels, as well as let you continue to explore the Mojave at your will, so chill.

You obviously don't play hardcoe switch would be a waste all that weight.

Yeah, New game+ is kind of pointless. Rather just make a new build/character.

Im sure people would use it. But I want to start a new build with my new games. So I would ignore it if the option existed.

id rather have a "continue game" kinda thing. i shouldn't be forced to do everything before the MQ, and theres stuff you get at the end that id like to be able to friggin use.
i could care less if the world doesnt "react" i just wanna play! i dont play games for stories, thats what books are for. i play games to play them.

So what's stopping you from simply saying "No, I don't want to do the final quest" when the big message box warns you?

Really, NG+ is pointless in this game. Once you've levelled and done all the quests, there's not much to see. It's not like a jRPG where you can level to level 9999 or Mass Effect where you the gap between levels gets exponentially larger as you expand.



Obsidian is on record as saying they won't allow freeplay after the end. I consider this a good thing because, unlike Fallout 3, New Vegas' ending is actually good. And really, there's not enough nonquest stuff to do in New Vegas to make FP after the end worthwhile.

And I definitely hope they don't add ten more levels. I like having a character who can't do everything. It adds replayability and allows for actual roleplaying, rather than stupid Bethesdan-style "I dress up as a mage and only use fireballs even though I have 100 strength and maxed out sword skill derpderpderp" malarky.



Most of the things you *can* do before the MQ have an impact on the ending. Doing them afterwards is pointless. We saw this in Fallout 2 even.

And the only stuff at the end you get is the Legate's helmet and his sword. Ranger combat gear is available elsewhere beforehand, and so's just about everything else.

Being able to start a new game at level 30 with all my skills, Perks and weapons would make the game boring. At least for me.

For me, the fun is earning those levels and finding those weapons. It's agonizing over skills and Perks at level up. And also, I adore the sound of a Level Up. Absolutely adore it. Being robbed of that just to start with "all my stuff" is not worth it.

I am totally cool with a definitive ending and no New Game +

Nothing "stops me" from not hitting that button. I generally do complete most of the quests in each run. When I finish everything I want to do is done. Say I side with the NCR this time? Great! Done that, experienced it. Loved the build I got out of it. Still enjoy using it. Now I want to see what happens if I side with Mr House. OK, I have to start from scratch. Rather than being able to experience the whole game with the build I like, and have put effort into I have to start over just to experience the different plotline. I play these games for the stories, not the Levelling. I'd rather use a good, comfortable build to experience those stories. I've earned that character, so why can't I use it to do as I see fit?

its not pointless to have fun. not everyone is as obsessed with stories as you are. some of us like to play the friggin game.
and that helmet is super awesome.

if you dont wanna play after the MQ then fine, dont. but the option should be there for those who do. what kind of open world game closes the world?

That's why Obsidian catered to you by providing a huge unskippable warning box saying "You are approaching the final battle! If you have any business in the wasteland, do it now, because you'll be locked onto your course!"

The only thing you miss out on here is the helmet and the sword. And I sympathize, but the sword and helmet are really not very important in the scheme of things.

Really, what is the difference between simply listening to the message box and playing the game, leaving the final quest open and freeplay, besides the sword, the mask, and the fact that the message box option doesn't risk invalidating the ending by postgame actions?

Is the helmet really that important?



A game that isn't open world, perhaps? New Vegas is a lot more like the original games, in that most locations have a purpose in the game world beyond pointless dungeons filled with raiders or mutants.

Furthermore, I, and apparently the Obsidian devs given the stated reason behind their no-freeplay decision, feel that having freeplay after the end would cheapen the ending, in much the same way Fallout 2's freeplay did.