I gotta say, that was a great review. The weird thing about being as big a Fallout fan as me (and others), is that having getting lost in the lore, story discussions, Bethesda, and behind the scenes, you tend to lose focus of what the game is really about. It's a game, that's it. You shouldn't take into account what Tim Cain wants, or how Bethesda bought it out, or how the Enclave suddenly went from Cali to DC and happened to remain hidden.

I think as a Fallout fan, I've grown desensitized to a lot of what Fallout 3 was giving me. Ironic, since you mentioned that the radio takes that away. The thing is, with video game series you love, you're obviously going to be very passionate about it, and very critical if things don't happen how you want. It's something you love, you're emotionally invested in it, you feel like it's had a personal influence and impact in your life. But during that time, we, or rather I, seem to forget that I shouldn't condemn the game for what I PERSONALLY want in it. Rather I should look at what the game was trying to set out for, and Fallout 4 has suffered for me in that mindset too.

Reading your review reminded me of why I fell in love with the series in the first place. Why it gripped me and held me and didn't let go throughout all of my adventure, like some typical rape doujin (i'm sorry). The game's combination of atmosphere, music, personalities, and consistent dread, was something I think should be commended like you said. In fact, it's one of the reasons I love Dark Souls. Atmosphere is one of the most important things in games for me. The immersion is key.

Anyway, this is not my review, I just decided to recap on some of what you said. It makes me think I should re-visit how I feel about Fallout 3. It didn't suck, far from it. I think people have just fallen in love with it and have grown overly critical of the series as they've progressed and gotten more into it. Their demands grow faster than the game, or series, can provide them. Even Fallout New Vegas, the holy grail of Fallout games, suffers from a shitload of things like 3 does.

Anyway, two things that stuck out to me that you said.

They’re a group of big, hulking yellow monstrosities who scream and yell a lot. They’re fucking annoying as fuck. I hate them

This made me giggle, and I couldn't agree more. Expect to see many more friendly ones in NV.

As you shift through the yards of rubble, you’ll come across the children’s section of the library—in which you can find a harrowing image: the rotting skeletons of deceased children strewn across the floor, like ragdolls. It’s pretty chilling, and puts the realism and cruelty of war into perspective—the whole “war is hell” theme is beaten into your head quite hard, and I’m perfectly okay with that. They sent such a powerful message just by using imagery—no fucking text. It allows you soak in the message on your own, rather than being told how to feel. That's what I like to see.

This. This is one of the few things that's always stayed in my mind with this game, particularly one scene in that town where there is that sniper with all the mines.

In the main house, if you walk to the master bedroom, you see two skeletons in a spooning (I hate that word) position. It really made me think about it. It was husband and wife I assume, but for some reason I think of an old couple. Maybe because that scene in Titanic where the old married couple just cuddle to bed during their final moments as the water floods the scene. I think that stuck with me growing up through my life. That regardless of the horrible event happening, and knowing you will die, you embrace the one you love in the final moments. Till death do you part, and you want to go with them.

I think that touched me more than anything in Fallout that I can think of. Were these two suddenly killed, or was it a slow death by radiation? I think that would be my guess, seeing as the house is still intact. Still, it was that particular scene that really made me realize just how grim placing two random skeletons in positions can evoke that thought process or emotions out of you. I remember staring for like 30 seconds just thinking as my radio slowly played "Maybe".

Great review. Sorry for the rant.

If you liked the atmosphere in 3, you'll love 4. They honestly perfected it. Other aspects are debatable, but Bethesda nails the apocalyptic world's overall feel in every game.

Eh

I felt Fallout 4 wasn't nearly as good because of the direction with some designs they went. It felt like they completely got rid of that 40's/50's building feel that Fallout 3 had. The skyscrapers just look like silly colorful popsicles and it bugged me.

Quote from: Luciana on January 08, 2016, 03:17:21 AM

Quote from: SecondClass on January 08, 2016, 03:08:45 AM

If you liked the atmosphere in 3, you'll love 4. They honestly perfected it. Other aspects are debatable, but Bethesda nails the apocalyptic world's overall feel in every game.

Eh

I felt Fallout 4 wasn't nearly as good because of the direction with some designs they went. It felt like they completely got rid of that 40's/50's building feel that Fallout 3 had. The skyscrapers just look like silly colorful popsicles and it bugged me.

really? They seemed very idealized 50s future skyscrapers to me.

They might be. I just felt the buildings in every other Fallout felt more down to earth. Idk.

Quote from: Luciana on January 07, 2016, 10:12:16 PM

Great review. Sorry for the rant.

Nah, it's encouraged. Long, well-thought-out posts like these can be pretty rare on this website. It makes the time I spent on the review itself "worth it," in a way. Even though it's cool enough that I can get my thoughts out there in the first place.

I'm glad to hear you remembered just what you liked about the game in the first place--that's awesome, actually. Before playing, I was initially saddened to hear that, despite the relatively large Fallout fanbase we have here, 3 seemed to be the one everyone liked the least. So it's great to hear that I was able to help you look past some of your initial misgivings with the game, just by talking about what I liked about it.

Anyway, this was fun. Here's hoping the Dark Souls playthrough goes well, too.

Thanks

and good luck with Dark Souls

again, you can play offline (not sure you even need to, I doubt it's populated) if you don't want to run into the false messages or rare PvP moment.

Quote from: Luciana on January 08, 2016, 11:57:52 AM

Thanks

and good luck with Dark Souls

again, you can play offline (not sure you even need to, I doubt it's populated) if you don't want to run into the false messages or rare PvP moment.

Yeah, I'll definitely be playing offline. <_<

I'm sure it's still somewhat populated, though. There's still people playing TF2 on the Orange Box, for Christ's sake.

Actually I lied. NPC's will still occasionally invade you regardless of if you're offline or not.

Quote from: Luciana on January 08, 2016, 02:41:48 PM

Actually I lied. NPC's will still occasionally invade you regardless of if you're offline or not.

That's fine, because they're NPCs. That's what they're programmed to do. I only take issue with human players who actively make the decision to do it.

I'm gonna invade you then

hate me