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Join the descendant of the Vault Dweller in an engaging turn-based RPG set in a nuclear war-ravaged world. Experience a retro-tech atmosphere, witty humor, and an involved plot filled with sub-quests and random encounters. Beware of bugs and poor AI. Rated "M" for mature audiences.
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A Review by Matthew Sable CIS 487 9/24/07 Fallout 2:
What is Fallout 2? • Created by Interplay & Black Isle Studios • Turn-based RPG • Post-Apocolyptic with retro theme. • Emphasis not on “flashy” graphics
Minimum System Requirements • Windows 95 Environment • Pentium 90 • 16 MB of RAM • SVGA Video Card capable of utilizing DirectX 5.0 • 4x CD-ROM drive • 30 MB hard drive space. 650 MB full install
Story of Fallout 2 In the 21rst century, non-renewable resources still reign supreme. • 2077: Nuclear World War 3 • 2161: Vault 13 & the water chip • Founding of the village of Arroyo by ancestor • 2241: Descendant of the “Vault Dweller” searches for the G.E.C.K.
Gameplay • Turn-based combat with “Action Points.” • Movement of a character through clicking on area, similar to “Diablo” • Standard tabletop RPG-style character sheet with bonus traits. • Drag & drop inventory & equipment changes. • Multiple NPC’s with both vocal and nonvocal dialogue. • Cursor used for “Skilldex” operation & area searching • Map movement facilitated by classic car.
Combat • Based on hit percentage and use of “Action Points.” • Color coded target system • “Aimed shots” cause critical damage
Character Creation • Distribution of 7 base stats. • 2 tag skills • 2 optional “traits” which influence the later choice of “perks”
Look & Feel • Derived from corny sci-fi & nuclear paranoia of the 1950’s. • “Retro-tech:” giant computers, old-fashioned electronics. • Rusty, worn-out menu system • Pipboy 2000 • Music is atmospheric noise • Strong emphasis on pop-culture references & dry humor
What makes the game fun? • Easy learning curve • Involved, plausible, dynamic plot • Interesting sub-quests & random encounters • Relevant, witty humor & jabs at pop-culture • Excellent use of ambient effects
Fallout 2 Pitfalls • LOTS of unfixed bugs that cause random crashes, unfinished quests & manipulated characters • Character movement in cramped spaces • Inability to see some treasure clearly, pixel hunting • The ability to make “Super characters” • Poor NPC AI
Conclusion • Comparible to prequel in many ways. • Rated “M” for subject matter. • $15.00 rerelease DVD-ROM with other 2 Fallout titles, bonus features & original manuals in pdf format. • Fallout 3 due for release in Fall 2008