Deeper than Fallout 3
Free-hand combat and V.A.T.S are just two features that factor in each battle. When you take into account the traits and perks that you’ve assigned to your characters, the vast array of weapon choice, or the sheer amount of consumables that you carry in your back-pack you’ve got all the ingredients needed for a series of compelling, tactical and challenging battles.And then, as if you haven't got enough to think about, there are the mini-games, such as Blackjack, Roulette and Slots. Such is the lure of winning - so that you can advance your character in the game - that these games become quite meaningful distractions. There’s nothing special about them at all, but it’s testament to the game as a whole that you feel as if playing them for the good of your character and his progression is worth it.
Fallout New Vegas isn't a million miles away from gameplay experience of Fallout 3, even some of the scenery looks identical, but it goes that little bit deeper. The crafting system will have you scouring the plains for recipe ingredients and just as you’re on the way to one objective you’ll get side-tracked by something else that crops up and spend time flicking through your Pip Boy to make sure you’ve got everything you need. Or even just bartering with local traders for precious supplies.
Enemy A.I can be docile, and despite the introduction of a companion radial wheel that makes commands far easier than before, friendly A.I. often reacts unpredictably. Similarly frustrating are the bugs and glitches, which may become annoying for some. But if you keep your head down and give the game a good few hours before you decide whether it's for you or not, they'll be no turning back, the rewards are here. Fallout New Vegas is a real contender for RPG of the year.
