Topic: x-box 360: games, gaming and your game list.

[RossRoy]

I've been playing Fallout: New Vegas for a little while now and I'm a bit disappointed.

For one thing, it's riddled with bugs. For a game that is built on the same engine as Fallout 3, it is very disappointing. I've had enemies killed that just fell through the earth never to be found again (no loot). The pipboy not coming up at all. Various animals getting stuck embedded into walls. First person view getting obstructed all that time by 2-handed guns. My character walking straight off a cliff despite there being a rail guard in place.

Granted all these are not game breaking. They're annoying, lessen my enjoyment to a certain extent, but in no way do they break the game so far.

But the biggest offender to lessening my enjoyment... is the story itself. It is so... Vegas.

I loved Fallout 3 because it felt personal. Born and raised in a Vault turns being not entirely true and you set out in search of your Father.

New Vegas? You've been shot in the head and survived. Seek out the killer! 

Granted, I'm early in the game. Maybe it gets better. But it doesn't seem to have the scale of Fallout 3. So far, it pretty much feels like a run of the mill gangster story that just happens to take place after a nuclear winter.

The music annoys me too. In Fallout 3, it was atmospheric and just supported the action. Now, there are noises in the music that sound like an enemy is creeping on you. And it's way too present!


There are some nice touches though!
I like being able to fully repair gear without needing 100% repair skill. Repair skill now applies to creating mods and making your own ammo. Which is cool, though so far I don't see the point.

Food and Drinks now heal over time. I'm undecided on this. It makes sense, but it was so convenient to be able to gorge on free meat when low on health instead of using expensive stimpaks.

Crafting is also fun and makes sense in the world of Fallout. You can pick up meat from various critters, seeds and fruits from various plants and you can combine them to make more potent food stuff for healing and boosts.

I also like the concept of Books vs Magazines. Books permanently boost you skill, while magazines give you a temporary boon to a specific skill.

Being able to deceive factions by wearing appropriate clothing is cool too. Put on a Powder Gangers Guard Armor, sneaking up on them and reverse-pickpocket a bomb - 

Good ol' V.A.T.S. - Gotta love thowing a grenade right between the legs and see the slomo  explosion with the body going fly one way, a leg another way, and the other leg in yet another direction 

[Achim]

I've been playing Fallout: New Vegas for a little while now and I'm a bit disappointed.

Me too. Well, maybe not quite that disappointed as you...

I agree with those who say that it's more a massive expansion pack than a new Fallout game; hence the lack of "4" in the title

[/quote]For one thing, it's riddled with bugs.[/quote]
While I haven't seen any of the stuff you described (stupid enemy AI doesn't count), I am getting annoyed at the freezes I am getting quite regularly. And it doesn't just freeze the game, it stalls the entire console

But the biggest offender to lessening my enjoyment... is the story itself. It is so... Vegas.

I just arrived in Novac last night. But I agree that so far the plot feels very stoick standard. IGN's review said, that the story itself is boring, but the side missions are cool; so far I agree.

The music annoys me too. In Fallout 3, it was atmospheric and just supported the action. Now, there are noises in the music that sound like an enemy is creeping on you. And it's way too present!

So true. Almost feels like Halloween ghost noises sometimes.

I like being able to fully repair gear without needing 100% repair skill. Repair skill now applies to creating mods and making your own ammo. Which is cool, though so far I don't see the point.

The full repair is are done with the repair kits? I have two of those but haven't used them yet. Repair is usually something I upgrade early on.

I had to think about the ammo thing myself. It should be nice to be able to "convert" ammo of weapons you don't use to one that you need; I always felt strange owning boat loads of ammo I would never use... Of course, then there is Hardcore Mode, where ammo will have weight. Then you most certainly will want to get rid of useless stuff and turn it into something helpful instead.

Food and Drinks now heal over time. I'm undecided on this. It makes sense, but it was so convenient to be able to gorge on free meat when low on health instead of using expensive stimpaks.

I guess you can divide the use. Use food to get a health boost between battles, when it doesn't matter that it will heal over time. Then use stimpacks if you get drained too much during battle. Hardcore Mode however will change stimpack behavior as well

Crafting is also fun and makes sense in the world of Fallout. You can pick up meat from various critters, seeds and fruits from various plants and you can combine them to make more potent food stuff for healing and boosts.

I need to play with this more.

I am wondering the most about the "poisonous" stuff you can make. Besides real poison it is also possible to create things with negative effects only! Why? Maybe you can secretly give it to others...?

I also like the concept of Books vs Magazines. Books permanently boost you skill, while magazines give you a temporary boon to a specific skill.

I was shocked when I used my first magazine and after a few minutes it had worn off! I was worried that was all I would get. Soon after I found my first book...

Being able to deceive factions by wearing appropriate clothing is cool too. Put on a Powder Gangers Guard Armor, sneaking up on them and reverse-pickpocket a bomb - 

That's the stuff I often forget about. Will have to make an effort to remember that it's there and use it appropriately.


Have you played Caravan yet? (I assume so.) Took me four attempts to understand what I was supposed todo (yes, I read the rules). Now I still don't why at times I can't place my card and can only throw it away Apparently Jacks Queens and Kings are utterly useless...

[RossRoy]

Have you played Caravan yet? (I assume so.) Took me four attempts to understand what I was supposed todo (yes, I read the rules). Now I still don't why at times I can't place my card and can only throw it away Apparently Jacks Queens and Kings are utterly useless...

I've read the rule multiple times trying to find out what the game is about, but I just can't figure out why this card works, while this one won't.. Why can I play this, but am forced to discard that? Too confusing so I stopped playing.

Oh and as far as progress, I just got to Mojave Outpost and am on my way to Nipton - so I'm a bit behind you. I've restarted the game once, and am now exploring more. Got attacked by a Night Stalker yesterday. Annoying pack critters! They're fast as hell! And all you can hear is being surrounded by rattlesnakes! Also got attacked by a pack of Golden Geckos. One bite = 13 RAD and damage? Ouch!

As for repairs, you can repair with repair kits, but you can also do it as in Fallout3, using similar weapon. Just found a Reinforced Leather Armor that I can repair with standard Leather Armor. No agility penalty and protection equivalent to medium armor? Me like!

[Achim]

I've read the rule multiple times trying to find out what the game is about, but I just can't figure out why this card works, while this one won't.. Why can I play this, but am forced to discard that? Too confusing so I stopped playing.

So same as here then It seems a good way to get caps though...

Oh and as far as progress, I just got to Mojave Outpost and am on my way to Nipton - so I'm a bit behind you. I've restarted the game once, and am now exploring more. Got attacked by a Night Stalker yesterday. Annoying pack critters! They're fast as hell! And all you can hear is being surrounded by rattlesnakes! Also got attacked by a pack of Golden Geckos. One bite = 13 RAD and damage? Ouch!

Yes, you seem a bit behind, but not much. I do explore though a little and try to find all side quests. Did all I could find in Goodspring, moved on. Then did all in Primm, moved on. Did all at the Outpost, moved on. I already did half of the side quests in Novac yesterday, when i ran into a pack of raiders who didn't like me very much Will do that part again now

On my way to Novac I ventured a bit on the side, trying to explore the area. Well, ended up getting round up by 4 Deathclaws, accompanied by their young. I quickly saved and then had to try 5 times to get out of there I am level 6, so clearly not yet ready for deathclaws.

As for repairs, you can repair with repair kits, but you can also do it as in Fallout3, using similar weapon. Just found a Reinforced Leather Armor that I can repair with standard Leather Armor. No agility penalty and protection equivalent to medium armor? Me like!

Me want

I always liked Power Armor in Fallout 3, which obviously had the downside of giving penalty on agility. But I do like the new system where you can send stuff from one town to the next Helps to travel light.

[RossRoy]

But I do like the new system where you can send stuff from one town to the next Helps to travel light.

Do explain.. Haven't found that! I have so much stuff I reluctantly sold because I just could transport it anymore.

Oh! So that's what Mojave Express Dropboxes are for. Drop stuff in them , then you can recover from another dropbox. Interesting!

[Achim]

Do explain.. Haven't found that! I have so much stuff I reluctantly sold because I just could transport it anymore.

The first one you can find is in Goodsprings. Go to the shop and looking at it you'll see a strange box in front of the dumpster on the left. When you look at that box or try to open it, you'll get the explanation. Once you have found a second one you can send items back and forth between the two locations. Once you find more, you can choose the target.

You apparently missed the first one, but I haven't found a second one along the path you travelled, so you didn't really miss out yet.

[RossRoy]

Do explain.. Haven't found that! I have so much stuff I reluctantly sold because I just could transport it anymore.

The first one you can find is in Goodsprings. Go to the shop and looking at it you'll see a strange box in front of the dumpster on the left. When you look at that box or try to open it, you'll get the explanation. Once you have found a second one you can send items back and forth between the two locations. Once you find more, you can choose the target.

You apparently missed the first one, but I haven't found a second one along the path you travelled, so you didn't really miss out yet.

I did miss the one in Goodspring.. I found the one in Primm though, kinda hard to miss 

So I guess the next one I'll find is in Novac?

Just got to Nipton this morning.. Wow! Caesar's Legion are... well.. You know..

[Achim]

I did miss the one in Goodspring.. I found the one in Primm though, kinda hard to miss 

I had the impression there should be more 

Thinking of Primm, who did you get as a sheriff?

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I ended up giving the job to the robot, who promptly fired Beagle, who now wanders the premises sadly.

So I guess the next one I'll find is in Novac?

Ummm, yes.

Just got to Nipton this morning.. Wow! Caesar's Legion are... well.. You know..

But, you know, from what I could tell, they had rough methods, but apparently weren't all that wrong. Sure wouldn't want to take part in their lottery...

[RossRoy]

Thinking of Primm, who did you get as a sheriff?

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I ended up giving the job to the robot, who promptly fired Beagle, who now wanders the premises sadly.

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I'm planning to give it to the guy who's in prison at NCRCF. I'll have to go talk to him first though and see what he'd be up to. I'm definitely not letting the NCR take over - I don't trust them.

But, you know, from what I could tell, they had rough methods, but apparently weren't all that wrong. Sure wouldn't want to take part in their lottery...

Well, I haven't had time to really talk to any of them (I just got to Nipton this morning) but ..

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I'm not sure I like the idea of punishing the "wicked" by crucifying them. I mean, so what if they didn't choose a side and they helped anyone with caps? I'll have to learn more, because so far, neither the NCR of the Legion sound all that trustworthy

[Achim]

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I'm planning to give it to the guy who's in prison at NCRCF. I'll have to go talk to him first though and see what he'd be up to. I'm definitely not letting the NCR take over - I don't trust them.

Oh no. I normally check all options first before deciding. But since the robot seemed neutral I forgot to check with that guy at all. Well, next playthrough.

Well, I haven't had time to really talk to any of them (I just got to Nipton this morning) but ..

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I'm not sure I like the idea of punishing the "wicked" by crucifying them. I mean, so what if they didn't choose a side and they helped anyone with caps? I'll have to learn more, because so far, neither the NCR of the Legion sound all that trustworthy

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I was mostly kidding. They seemed a bit like Hitler to me; building the autobahn and then proceeding with genocide. I am not sure who to trust, but currently lean towards NCR. The legion seem to go around killing a lot while NCR appears to maintain order. I thought they are like the Brotherhood, but today a loading screen explained that NCR and Brotherhood where fighting a while back Heck, last time I didn't even trust the Brotherhood for a while. I guess I am just a courier trying to survive.

[RossRoy]

I guess I am just a courier trying to survive.

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Did you find it with all the "go back courrier six" notes painted all over? Wonder what that's all about.. I hope it's not just there and nothing comes of it...

[Critter]

This is interesting. I watched Good Game last night (an Australian video gaming show) and the two hosts loved New Vegas. They both gave it 9.5/10 which is the highest score I have seen them give anything in a long time. And they also hardly ever both give such a high score.

[RossRoy]

This is interesting. I watched Good Game last night (an Australian video gaming show) and the two hosts loved New Vegas. They both gave it 9.5/10 which is the highest score I have seen them give anything in a long time. And they also hardly ever both give such a high score.

To me, 9.5 is a bit high. If the glitches and bugs had been fixed before shipping the game, maybe. But the game is fantastic. I don't think there's any other game out there that I love being killed in (that "oh-shiiiiiite" moment when you face the first Deathclaw - Or when you stumble upon a few so called "evolved centaur" and think you've just won.. only to have to ass handed to you by a pack of Super Mutant.

I still love that game! Despite anything I've said above - Fallout just rocks!

[Critter]

Hmm, perhaps I should add it to my Christmas list, along with the other PS3 games I want.

[Achim]

Sophie, I'll agree with Sebastien's comments. The bugs and glitches are terrible and SHOULD NOT BE THERE, but the game is great. Also, since stuff is so expensive for you, here is a game that can keep you busy for a looooong time. I think I played Fallout 3 for about 200 hours (incl. the DLC). For that matter, have you played Fallout 3? If not, that should be available much cheaper now!

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Did you find it with all the "go back courrier six" notes painted all over? Wonder what that's all about.. I hope it's not just there and nothing comes of it...

Hmmm, how do I handle this (Canyon Wreckage did not ring a bell right away), open the spoiler and risk getting something, well, spoiled, or keep it closed and miss a question? ...I opened.

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Yes, I have been to that canyon wreckage near Primm and found those "notes". I doubt they will be followed up that closely, but it is obvious that everything was rather planned; I assume you talked to Victor...? So, in that respect I guess it will tie in.

It may be my problem, but I feel the balancing for the Glowing Ones feel off. The regular ghouls are still one-shot kills with a shotgun, but the Glowing Ones are much harder to kill than in Fallout 3...? Yesteday I tried to kill one three times and he always got me (I always waited with using stimpacks for too long). Eventually he sunk into the ground (see, another bug, but already present in Fallout 3) and I could escape...