Fallout 3 Comments by Oli Welsh

"I'd like to see Fallout 3 emulate 'The Witcher'..."

Oh please God, not that!

Of course, how can you ignore all these accolades? Either Oli is the most brilliant game reviewer in the world or all these other guys are smoking pot.



07.28.08 - Fallout 3 Wins Big at IGN E3 Awards

Fallout 3 won Overall Best Game of Show of E3 2008 from IGN as well as Best Console Game, Best overall RPG, Best Overall Xbox 360 Game, Best Overall PS3 Game, Best PC RPG, Best Xbox 360 RPG, and Best PS3 RPG. Voodoo Extreme awarded Fallout 3 with Game of Show, Best Console RPG, and Best Console Game, and 1Up.com named Fallout 3 the Best RPG of E3 2008.
07.25.08 - Fallout 3 Demonstration

IGN has posted a 16-minute gameplay presentation of Fallout 3 by Todd Howard.
07.25.08 - New Previews

BBC News includes Fallout 3 among their E3: The Best Games on Show list. New previews are also up at USA Today and Total PlayStation.
07.24.08 - New Fallout 3 Screenshots

We've released twelve new screenshots in the Art section.
07.24.08 - E3 Awards

GameSpy has awarded Fallout 3 with Overall Runner-up, Xbox 360 Game of Show, and PS3 Game of Show, saying, "After spending an hour with the game, we feel like we've only seen the tip of the iceberg. We can't wait to dive back in." Fallout 3 also won Best of Show from SCRAWL and a Silver Award from Gamepro.
07.24.08 - More E3 Fallout 3 Previews

WorthPlaying has posted a preview of Fallout 3 stating, "Fallout 3 is quite possibly the best game at E3 this year ...". Electric Playground, Gaming Trend, Totally 360, Gamervision, Gamer 2.0, NxGamers, and The Hachiko have also posted previews.
07.23.08 - Fallout 3 Wins Game of Show from PlanetXbox360

Planet Xbox 360 named Fallout 3 Game of Show and said, "After putting nearly an hour into the game it was the one title that we talked about the entire way back to the office, this game is going to be epic in proportions and there should not be a gamer out there that has not went to their local game shop and put down the money for a pre-order." Additionally, the New York Times, 411Mania, and GamePro.fr have posted previews of Fallout 3.

Sorry Oli but I have to ask, did you like or even play the original fallouts?

I just can't help but get the feeling your writing from ignorance.

I'm not saying your wrong, I haven't played the game yet, but your opinion is a very stark contrast to say the CVG preview

http://www.computerandvideogames.com/art...

Which manages to go into far greater depth, relating all the time back to the classics that resulted in the title being Fallout 3 and not Obvlivion 1.5 + Gun Mod...

"Lady Killer gives you extra damage against female enemies, and "unique dialogue options" when talking to female NPCs. Sorry, Bethesda, that's not satirical, it's just crass and misogynistic." - Yes it isn't high humor, but it is in keeping with the franchise.

"if its adolescent focus on creative brutality doesn't quite sit right with the game's overall tone." - *Cough* Please refer to fallout 1 + 2 and reevaluate that comment...

As far as I'm aware the game isn't ready for release yet, so a few problems with object and ground collision is not a killer.

The world is meant to be grim and brown and not very nice... it's fallout.

Oh and to continue your witty remarks of "falling out" and "nuclear winter" I'd just like to say, it looks like feral's last comment leaves only your shadow behind...

@demize2010
"Lady Killer gives you extra damage against female enemies, and "unique dialogue options" when talking to female NPCs. Sorry, Bethesda, that's not satirical, it's just crass and misogynistic." - Yes it isn't high humor, but it is in keeping with the franchise.

I agree about it not being high humour, but I'd like you to give some examples showing how is it in keeping with fallout 1/2 (and not just fallout: brotherhood of steel)

"if its adolescent focus on creative brutality doesn't quite sit right with the game's overall tone." - *Cough* Please refer to fallout 1 + 2 and reevaluate that comment...

It's interesting observation. I did play fallout 2 four days ago and for some reason, I didn't notice that main focus of that game was gory deaths. Maybe my version was censored, and deaths were replaced with interesting dialogues, meaningful choices and good story.

As far as I'm aware the game isn't ready for release yet, so a few problems with object and ground collision is not a killer.

If I watch a tech demo of a game scheduled to release in 3 years from presentation, problems like that are indeed easy to forgive.
When I see those problems in a demo of a game that's scheduled for release in less than 63 days (or so), where game should be ready and only changes should concern cosmetic things, then it makes me think that either release date is going to be pushed back, or that game will be released in rather buggy state with heavy patching to follow. Not exactly a desirable start, for any game.

PS.
Majority of the awards cited by feral were given by console magazines. I readily agree that in terms of console game it might be a hit, since console market is geared towards action games and fallout 3 follows the suit, offering a lot of action, pixelated gore and light roleplaying (gaining experience, levelling up, gathering loot, character customization, minor dialogue options).
However, in terms of PC roleplaying game , where it has to fill the shoes of both fallout 1/2, as well as many other good roleplaying games (planescape:torment comes to mind) fallout 3 seems to be distinctly lacking in the roleplaying department.

Silvervein: "It's interesting observation. I did play fallout 2 four days ago and for some reason, I didn't notice that main focus of that game was gory deaths. Maybe my version was censored, and deaths were replaced with interesting dialogues, meaningful choices and good story."

Perhaps Feral played IN less than 4. :)

Anyway, I think Feral's point is valid, because next to the "good" stuff you're alluding to, do not forget that there also is a large part of Bloody Mess, Jinxed, New Reno, Kama Sutra Master, Shotgun Weddings, "colourful" use of language from certain characters, etc etc. I for one like these elements being there because this is a postnuclear world - just look where political correctness (and politics) brought everyone. I expect people being more "raw" after The Fallout, so its presence is good, not to mention increases the game's possibilities and moralities as well which boosts replayability.

@vmerken
I agree that showing the brutal side of life in a setting such as fallout does increase the fun. Not more, and not less than other elements though, such as stories, mission, general freedom to do almost everything.
Speaking of rough elements though...As you mentioned yourself, New Reno, certain skills you could develop there (at the golden globes, specifically), as well as 'colorful language' were part of the fallout 2.
In case of fallout 3, it seems that the only aspect present in game, and extensively showcased during every presentation, is gory deaths. And judging by the news and interviews with development team members, most of the 'questionable' elements of fallout 2 were cut out of fallout 3.
Example. There is supposed to be somewhere, in the game, a...lady of ill repute, shall we say. However, she will not, under any circumstances, offer her services to the player, citing he's 'too young'. Other than being plain ridiculous in the post apocalyptic world, it shows that even elements from fallout 1 (supposedly inspiration for fallout 3) are being cut out (reference: there was also a lady of the night in fallout 1, but there, she had no qualms about 'working' with player character.
While unpleasant ways of leaving this world were part of fallout 1/2, they were by no means either most important element of the game, nor its selling point. Unlike fallout 3, which seems to put undue focus on them...and ONLY them. At least judging by falout 3 presentations and news.

Jesus, someone writes something negative about a game and half the fans lay an egg.

"Either Oli is the most brilliant game reviewer in the world or all these other guys are smoking pot"

How exactly would you define a brilliant game reviewer? By checking to see whether or not they agree with everyone else? I think you have game reviewer confused with photocopier.

As for having played Fallout 1 and 2, I'm not really sure that is relevant. This game is neither, it is a brand new game. Seemed to me that Oli was calling the shots as he saw them. I am a huge fan of the FO series, but I wouldn't sit there looking at a game and think "yeah, the real time combat sucks, but I'll forgive it because the real time combat in Fallout 2 was shit (i.e. not there) too".

I actually thought he was pretty even handed. He made repeated reference to the fact that character and story are strong aspects of FO, and that he hadn't had a chance to check those out properly, and was giving them the benefit of the doubt on that basis.

No amount of Fallout love, or "understanding of the series" should take a pair of eyes looking at a shonky animation and make them think they are looking at gold in motion. That is just blind fandom, and much as I am a fan of FO, I'm not a blind fan. And it sounds as though neither is Oli.

Its just Fallout 3, its not your mum, so don't take it all so personally people.

Silvervein: Speaking of rough elements though...As you mentioned yourself, New Reno, certain skills you could develop there (at the golden globes, specifically), as well as 'colorful language' were part of the fallout 2.

Roughness is also part of Fallout 1, the tone there was a lot darker even.

In case of fallout 3, it seems that the only aspect present in game, and extensively showcased during every presentation, is gory deaths. And judging by the news and interviews with development team members, most of the 'questionable' elements of fallout 2 were cut out of fallout 3.

Of course they highlight the gore. It's what gets people's attention at presentation events, not dialogue, story and "normal" deaths they've seen a billion times before. Using the Bloody Mess perk and a gimped character which scores criticals all the time results in the best spectacle. And possibly the best sales.

I expect Fallout 3 to contain a lot more than just gory deaths, but all the other stuff in this game will pale compared to the previous games' "richness" I talked about in the previous post.

Example. There is supposed to be somewhere, in the game, a...lady of ill repute, shall we say. However, she will not, under any circumstances, offer her services to the player, citing he's 'too young'. Other than being plain ridiculous in the post apocalyptic world, it shows that even elements from fallout 1 (supposedly inspiration for fallout 3) are being cut out (reference: there was also a lady of the night in fallout 1, but there, she had no qualms about 'working' with player character.

Yes, and I dislike this. It's censoring a game which is very likely to be an 18+, adult game after rating, in other words the devs are playing the politically correct "nanny", telling adults how this and that is "naughty" and shan't be shown. Also, it reduces development costs because in this type of game, these naughty possibilities would have required animations, sound effects, etc. Plus, we wouldn't want to tinker with the Oblivion engine too much, now would we? That one's perfect already, right? :)

While unpleasant ways of leaving this world were part of fallout 1/2, they were by no means either most important element of the game, nor its selling point. Unlike fallout 3, which seems to put undue focus on them...and ONLY them. At least judging by falout 3 presentations and news.

I fully agree, but that's for the players to discover when the game is released.

Kangarootoo: As for having played Fallout 1 and 2, I'm not really sure that is relevant. This game is neither, it is a brand new game. Seemed to me that Oli was calling the shots as he saw them. I am a huge fan of the FO series, but I wouldn't sit there looking at a game and think "yeah, the real time combat sucks, but I'll forgive it because the real time combat in Fallout 2 was shit (i.e. not there) too".

Yes, and of course then a majority of readers will attach actual weight to that kind of analysis. I mean, back when Mario Galaxy was released, I could call out and share "the shots" too while the game was being showed :). Credibility, or something like that.

I actually thought he was pretty even handed. He made repeated reference to the fact that character and story are strong aspects of FO, and that he hadn't had a chance to check those out properly, and was giving them the benefit of the doubt on that basis.

Your opinion. Respect.

No amount of Fallout love, or "understanding of the series" should take a pair of eyes looking at a shonky animation and make them think they are looking at gold in motion. That is just blind fandom, and much as I am a fan of FO, I'm not a blind fan. And it sounds as though neither is Oli.

Your opinion. My opinion. Oli's opinion. Respect.

Then again, animation in MGS4 was a lot better than that of FO3 so I'm not sure if Oli attaches that much weight to animation in video games. Or whether he attaches weight to it consistently.

Its just Fallout 3, its not your mum, so don't take it all so personally people.

Yet here we are :). By the way, I think most of the critics will be silenced if Bethesda would just rename this game to "Oblivion with Guns", and not treat it as a worthy successor of the previous games.

Ive never played FO1 or 2, but am looking forward to this game.. I wonder if that is allowed? ;) Though I have just ordered the originals cheap off amazon.

Look I think people are taking it far too seriously. Most sites have given it positive previews, while one person has given it average preview. I'm pretty much ok with that for now, got the game on order, who cares. The game apparently has 100+ hours of gameplay, I personally dont think 30 minutes is enough. A game like this pulls you in. I really liked Oblivion (though closing all the gates got a bit boring)... but I still played it for many hours.

Wait for the reviews, i personally think people will say it is a classic with faults... but with a game this big, what do people expect?

"Lady Killer gives you extra damage against female enemies, and "unique dialogue options" when talking to female NPCs. Sorry, Bethesda, that's not satirical, it's just crass and misogynistic."

I guess you've never played the other fallout games, (edit: They were full of this kind of humor, it's not just bethsda. It's nice to get a a level headed review from someone who is not a raging fanboy) not only that but if it was "Mankiller" I'd put money down that the perk would be "awesome" and "extremely handy"

Other than that, I agree with the rest of the preview.

Edited for clarity.

Ahh the old back up your argument with fictional quotes trick.

On the subject of the Lady Killer perk, I'm not really sure that referencing previous versions of Fallout is much of an excuse. Fallout 1 and 2 aren't the bible, they are just games. What might have been appropriate then (or more likely, equally as inappropriate, but with a more nerdy, immature, bloke-centric audience that thought it was funny) doesn't necessarily stand now.

I don't want to get things out of proportion here. Its not the End of Days and I will still buy the game. But defending such an inclusion on the basis that the series (apparently) has a history of mysoginy is no real defense at all. Its akin to saying its ok to be a member of the BNP, because the British Empire has a great tradition of being mean (understatement) to less developed countries.

kangarootoo: "How exactly would you define a brilliant game reviewer? By checking to see whether or not they agree with everyone else? I think you have game reviewer confused with photocopier."


I wasn't saying that going against the grain or with the grain makes a brilliant game reviewer. I was saying that 95% of the previews coming in are positive about Fallout 3 and if Oli's preview turns out to be the way Fallout 3 is then the man is number one in my book because he has played the game and has somehow (brilliantly) deduced that the game is not worth buying even though 95% of his cohorts beg to differ.

Here, let me help you out even more. Everyone said the Earth was flat. Columbus said it was round. Do you remember the names of all those people saying the Earth was flat?

Happy gaming!

Lady Killer / Man Eater perk - Does anyone know what these 'special dialog options' actually are?

If they consist of being extra insulting to women/men because your character hates them and likes to hurt them, I don't think that's a problem. Srsly, I have no problem with calling someone a bitch if I'm playing a mean character.

If they consist of various NPCs hating you because you're a violent bastard who beats up on girls/boys, I don't think that's a problem. That's just a reputation badge.

What I'm creeped out about is the possibility that they're using the traditional definition of ladykiller and making you better at hitting ON girls and also HITTING girls. That's just plain icky, in my book.

@Feral

The thing is, Oli didn't make any firm recommendations about whether anyone should buy the game or not. Nobody out there can form a final opinion, because the game isn't complete, so how can ANY of the more positive previews out there be any more or less valid.

There is an old adage about 10 people discovering an elephant in a dark room for the first time, and when asked what it is, they each give a different opinion (its a tree trunk, its a snake, etc).

Oli played a section of the game and commented specifically on what he saw. And based on the words he used to describe what he saw, I tend to think he was right in his summary. He also pointed out the parts of the title that he hadn't seen, which historically have been strong parts of the Fallout experience (such as character development, character interaction and story).

To take your analogy, everyone said the world was flat, whereas Columbus stood on the beach and said "Hmmm, its a bit soggy though and my sandals are ruined".