Fallout 3

This sequel will retain the SPECIAL character creation system, which lets you build your character in the areas of strength, perception, endurance, charisma, intelligence, agility, and luck.

In past Fallout games, you could make a brutish monster character capable of using himself like a pack mule and able to take down enemies with his bare hands, adding the most points to the strength attribute. Likewise, you could create a character that could talk his way out of any situation with high intelligence and charisma stats.

Second is the perks system. Every other level, you get to choose a trait that will help your character in his quest, such as stronger poison resistance, etc. However, it is impossible to create a maxed out character. Every add-on that a trait gives you detracts something else from your character.

One difference... perhaps the HUGEST difference between this game and its predecessors, is that this game will allow for a 1st person (or optional over-the-shoulder 3rd person) camera, as opposed to the isometric top-down view of the older games. With this comes a change in combat style, also.

While Fallout 1 & 2 were turned-based in combat, with a hexagonal grid system, Fallout 3 will be much like Oblivion as a real-time combat game. However, as in the first 2 games, you will be able to freeze time and aim at specific body parts of your enemy, to cripple them quickly, or go for an instant kill. The system has been named V.A.T.S in this installment, or Vault-Tec Assisted Targeting System.

Speaking of combat, all the ultra gory death animations that were seen in Fallout 1 & 2... Yep, they're back, in full 3D.

Added to this game is a system of radiation and.... thirst. What else is there to drink in a radiated wasteland but... radiated water?

Bethesda has revamped enemy and NPC AI to make for tactical shooting on their part, and also more intelligent conversation between NPCs.

All in all, Bethesda gets it. Regardless of what the drooling fanboys say, Bethesda has taken the best of both Fallout AND Oblivion is making a game worthy of the Fallout franchise.

Now that you'd fully explored the DC wasteland, check out Fallout New Vegas from the teams behind the original Fallout games!