B2EVO

As previous versions, Fallout 3 evolves in a post apocalyptic time where the main character is forced to take difficult decisions to conserve the safety and prosperity for all the people left. But there has been one MAJOR modification and thus there’s an important difference between Fallout 3 and Fallout 1, 2.
Fallout 3 is 3D! So, farewell top view 2D boring gameplay.

After an atomic war the future United States lies in ruins. And to add up, there are some “minor” atomic consequences like: all the water was poisoned (irradiated), all the wild life was genetically mutated and all the land is full with failed genetic experiments on people (mutant brute – a humanoid creature with a massive body strength but limited brain power).

But the guys on Bethesda Softworks didn’t stop there. They’ve pushed the gameplay experience even further by creating rivals, scavengers and rebels scattered all over the map in different settlements from the rudimentary fence around a table and two chairs rebel settlement to the high tech rival fortress.
After the war, the US government is formed and led by an organization known as The Enclave. Of course they are not the good guys. Their purpose is to maintain chaos in order to lead. This means that the entire map is in ruin, there’s no clean water and dangers waits at any corner.

The game map is quite big if you decide to explore. The graphics is impressive. Who am I kidding, it’s awesome! It’s also full of dangers! If you are not irradiated by the water or waste swamps, you might encounter some mutated wild life. And if you manage to somehow make peace with that you might bump into wastelander gangs – the rebels I was talking about earlier. And if you think that’s easy wait till you meet a Super Mutant Brute with a Minigun or The Enclave put a price on your head and you become hunted by Merc Squads (mercenaries).
Hey! But not to worry because with some persistence you’ll manage to save some money and buy some cool weapons or make your own weapons. In order to build your own weapon you should have that weapon schematic. I didn’t find many schematics. Therefore I’ve managed to earn some money and buy me self a good gun.

Since I talked about money you should know that Bethesda Softworks had a cool idea and used as reference coin the Bottle Cap. Yeah! Your efforts are awarded with Bottle Caps (Nuka – Cola Caps). That’s the main idea of the gameplay. [This passage is inadequate. For more details please read the comments]
But the storyline is breath taking! And that makes this game a winner. [I didn’t play the previous versions of Fallout (1 and 2) because I didn’t like the 2D limited top view gameplay. So pardon my enthusiasm.]
I don’t know if Bethesda Softworks rings any bells for you guys, but I should tell you that Bethesda Softworks has another epic release (releases) on their background: The Elder Scrolls quadrology, the latest one is The Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion. And what a game!
That contributed in a breath taking harmonious combination between environment, storyline, sound track and graphics for Fallout 3. And if you’ve played Morrowind or Oblivion you’ll find that the keyboard mapping (controls) is (are) the same. That is a good aspect for me.

Like Oblivion, Fallout 3 combines gameplay with MC’s creation. I’m impressed how well they’ve managed to adapt. Even though I played Oblivion and knew from the first moment what was going on, I never felt the need to skip forward just to finish the MC creation.
You begin your gameplay at main character’s (MC) birth. Therefore you’ll choose your name, sex, looks and S.P.E.C.I.A.Ls (skill points). Then follows a few time leaps in MC’s life. You’ll find yourself in Vault 101 (underground shelter) taking introductory tasks. However, the last time leap, at your nineteenth, is the major one, also the most surprising. You’ll face your first difficult decision. I don’t want to disclose this because is so damn intriguing. I suggest that you should stick to one side from the beginning till the end: GOOD or EVIL. You choose.
From here on no more “quantum” leaps. You’ll find yourself outside Vault 101 looking for answers. And that’s where it actually begins.

Fallout 3 completion time can be very short ~12 hours of gameplay, if you choose to follow the main quest and never go for leveling your character. But if you choose to level your character (increase its skill points, learn new abilities) you’ll find out that after 3 weeks of gameplay you’re still playing

After Vault 101 Escape you’ll have to pursue some answers and in order to obtain them you must help / pay other people. You’ll find that the Wasteland is not so wasted after all. Some survivors chose to live in communities – settlements or cities. Some didn’t liked the idea and become rebels – Wastelanders. You’ll find that The Enclave has a rival, The Brotherhood Of Steel – the good guys. You’ll find out that compared to The Enclave, The Brotherhood Of Steel looks like a cavemen. You’ll find that the post apocalyptic time is not the end of life. Is the beginning of another war. The war for power!
After all… war never changes, isn’t it?

Gameplay: 9/10
Storyline: 10/10
Graphics: 10/10
Sound: 10/10
Overall rating: 9.75

In your journey to save the world I think you might need some help, therefore I’ve included the Fallout 3 game guide.

Also you might use some unorthodox help either I’m talking about Fallout 3 PC cheats.

To bring up the cheats console during gameplay, hit the tilde (~) key. Then, insert the cheat listed below on the left for the corresponding result on the right.

• addspecialpoints X – Add indicated amount of Special Points (X = amount)
• addtagskills X – Adds indicated amount of Tag Skill Points (X = amount)
• advlevel – Level up your character one level
• GetQuestCompleted – Complete current quest
• getXPfornextlevel – Gain one level
• help – List all console commands
• modpca Y X – Add indicated amount of points to your S.P.E.C.I.A.L. stats (Y = stat type, X = amount)
• modpcs Y X – Add indicated amount of points to your skills (Y = stat type, X = amount)
• player.setlevel X – Set player level (X = level)
• player.additem 000000F X – Get indicated amount of caps (X = amount)
• removefromallfactions – Remove player from all factions
• rewardKarma X – Add indicated amount of Karma Points (X = amount)
• setpccanusepowerarmor X – Toggle Power Armor use (X = 0 or 1)
• setspecialpoints X – Set Special Points (X = amount)
• settagskills X – Sets Tag Skill Points (X = amount)
• tcl – No clipping mode
• tmm1 – All mapmarkers
• tdt – Toggle debug display
• tlv – Toggle leaves
• tgm – God mode

If you want a specific weapon, aid or armor you might want to take a look at this document.