# What is so good about fallout3? **URL:** \ **Category:** The Game Room\ **Created:** [May 2, 2009, 2:12am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-so-good-about-fallout3/495051 "2009-05-02T02:12:34Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![Annie](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/858c86/32.png) [@Annie](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Annie)\ **Post date:** [May 3, 2009, 5:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-so-good-about-fallout3/495051/21 "2009-05-03T17:11:15Z")
My puny laptop canna handle da wee beastie that is Fallout 3. Is there love for _Fallout 2?_ ---
**Author:** ![DigitalC](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/ebca7d/32.png) [@DigitalC](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DigitalC)\ **Post date:** [May 3, 2009, 5:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-so-good-about-fallout3/495051/22 "2009-05-03T17:18:49Z")
> [@Annie](#): > > My puny laptop canna handle da wee beastie that is Fallout 3. Is there love for _Fallout 2?_ Its a 15 year old game, it was very good for its time and it still holds it own in story/gameplay if you are into turn based tactical combat but its very different than fallout 3. ---
**Author:** ![LawMonkey](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/d6d6ee/32.png) [@LawMonkey](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/LawMonkey)\ **Post date:** [May 3, 2009, 5:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-so-good-about-fallout3/495051/23 "2009-05-03T17:42:49Z")
> [@Claptree](#): > > It’s ok, and they’ve done some fun things with the physics for the different objects you can shoot. It often takes a lot of shots to kill something though, accuracy is crap, and the ammo tends to weigh you down quite a bit. > > There are other custom weapons that are better, like the dart gun, the shishkebab, the nuka grenades and bottlecap mines. The explosives have great damage and most other weapons have special perks, like the dart gun that always cripples both legs on an enemy. Ammo is (gloriously) weightless, as are ‘pure’ health items like stimpacks and radaways. Accuracy is affected by your stats; it’s not just a first person shooter, though it looks like one. (Fine by me, since I suck at 'em.) It did get on my nerves that raiders and Talon mercs could typically take multiple rounds of 7.62x39 to the dome without flinching, but hey, it’s a game. You _can_ (and I generally did) get weighed down if you insist on carrying a wide variety of different weapons, or lots of explosives. ---
**Author:** ![Lobsang](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/lobsang/32/4067_2.png) [@Lobsang](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lobsang)\ **Post date:** [May 3, 2009, 5:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-so-good-about-fallout3/495051/24 "2009-05-03T17:59:09Z")
Weight is another incentive to keep playing the game. As you level up you can and do increase the amount you can carry. Towards the end of the game I tended to carry stuff I’d never use, just so I could make money selling it (and spend the money on stuff I would use) ETA:It’s all about managing your limitations effectively. (Couldn’t the same philosophy be applied to many aspects of life and other games?) ---
**Author:** ![Tanbarkie](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/a698b9/32.png) [@Tanbarkie](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Tanbarkie)\ **Post date:** [May 3, 2009, 8:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-so-good-about-fallout3/495051/25 "2009-05-03T20:08:00Z")
> [@LawMonkey](#): > > Ammo is (gloriously) weightless, as are ‘pure’ health items like stimpacks and radaways. Accuracy is affected by your stats; it’s not just a first person shooter, though it looks like one. (Fine by me, since I suck at 'em.) I think he was specifically referring to the Rock-it Launcher. 🙂 ---
**Author:** ![Commander\_Keen](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/e8c25b/32.png) [@Commander\_Keen](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Commander_Keen)\ **Post date:** [May 3, 2009, 9:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-so-good-about-fallout3/495051/26 "2009-05-03T21:15:43Z")
> [@Annie](#): > > My puny laptop canna handle da wee beastie that is Fallout 3. Is there love for _Fallout 2?_ As DigitalC said, it’s a different style of game (developed by a completely different company). IMO Fallout 3 is good, but it can’t hold a candle to the first 2. ---
**Author:** ![kasuo](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/8c91f0/32.png) [@kasuo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kasuo)\ **Post date:** [May 3, 2009, 10:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-so-good-about-fallout3/495051/27 "2009-05-03T22:18:23Z")
The ammo management issue isn’t a big deal. There were a few times in the game I actually wished they made ammo weighted, if only something minuscule like 1 pound per 1000 rounds. It got to the point where I was carrying several thousand rounds of 5.56 and energy cells. I should have opened my own weapon shop! ---
**Author:** ![E-Sabbath](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/e19adc/32.png) [@E-Sabbath](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/E-Sabbath)\ **Post date:** [May 3, 2009, 10:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-so-good-about-fallout3/495051/28 "2009-05-03T22:26:35Z")
Fallout 2 can be purchased easily at [www.gog.com](http://www.gog.com) , updated to run under XP or Vista just fine. Legit, licensed, no DRM. ---
**Author:** ![Lobsang](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/lobsang/32/4067_2.png) [@Lobsang](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lobsang)\ **Post date:** [May 3, 2009, 10:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-so-good-about-fallout3/495051/29 "2009-05-03T22:44:46Z")
> [@E-Sabbath](#): > > Fallout 2 can be purchased easily at [www.gog.com](http://www.gog.com) , updated to run under XP or Vista just fine. Legit, licensed, no DRM. I’ve decided to go ahead and try it. And If I like it I’ll try the other one. But I want to try the more recent FO2 before FO1. Does that matter? Or would I be better off playing them in order? ---
**Author:** ![Claptree](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/58f4c7/32.png) [@Claptree](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Claptree)\ **Post date:** [May 3, 2009, 10:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-so-good-about-fallout3/495051/30 "2009-05-03T22:56:11Z")
> [@Tanbarkie](#): > > I think he was specifically referring to the Rock-it Launcher. 🙂 I was indeed. ---
**Author:** ![TBG](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/c89c15/32.png) [@TBG](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TBG)\ **Post date:** [May 4, 2009, 2:35am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-so-good-about-fallout3/495051/31 "2009-05-04T02:35:10Z")
After a few hours outside of the vault, I never had an issue with ammo. If anything, I had a problem keeping my favorite guns in good repair, but even then it wasn’t really bad so much as it bugged me that they wore out with use. It makes total sense in the terms of the setting though. ---
**Author:** ![Sitnam](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/6a8cbe/32.png) [@Sitnam](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sitnam)\ **Post date:** [May 4, 2009, 2:42am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-so-good-about-fallout3/495051/32 "2009-05-04T02:42:23Z")
Seriously, WHO spent any points on advancing their ‘speak with children’ ability. But yeah, the game still cost $60 'cause it’s worth it. ---
**Author:** ![Sitnam](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/6a8cbe/32.png) [@Sitnam](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sitnam)\ **Post date:** [May 4, 2009, 2:44am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-so-good-about-fallout3/495051/33 "2009-05-04T02:44:39Z")
> [@TBG](#): > > After a few hours outside of the vault, I never had an issue with ammo. If anything, I had a problem keeping my favorite guns in good repair, but even then it wasn’t really bad so much as it bugged me that they wore out with use. It makes total sense in the terms of the setting though. That has all to do with what you spend points in. I on the other hand never had enough rifle ammo, but mine were always in great shape and I refurbished the ones I found and sold them for more ammo. ---
**Author:** ![LawMonkey](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/d6d6ee/32.png) [@LawMonkey](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/LawMonkey)\ **Post date:** [May 4, 2009, 2:47am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-so-good-about-fallout3/495051/34 "2009-05-04T02:47:17Z")
Oops–sorry for the misunderstanding, Claptree. Pre-war money works as weightless ammo for the Rock-It Launcher, but it was (IMO) too valuable to risk wasting as ammo. In general, I agree that the RIL is a lot cooler as an idea than as an actual weapon. ---
**Author:** ![Sitnam](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/6a8cbe/32.png) [@Sitnam](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sitnam)\ **Post date:** [May 4, 2009, 2:49am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-so-good-about-fallout3/495051/35 "2009-05-04T02:49:51Z")
double post ---
**Author:** ![Gorsnak](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/gorsnak/32/7587_2.png) [@Gorsnak](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Gorsnak)\ **Post date:** [May 4, 2009, 3:58am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-so-good-about-fallout3/495051/36 "2009-05-04T03:58:43Z")
I would point out that Fallout 3 is massively moddable, and for absolutely any game mechanic you don’t like there’s a mod out there that changes it. And if there isn’t, you can make one yourself quite easily. Ammo weight/availability, weapon degradation/repair, etc, are all trivial to modify to be more to your liking. There remain some annoying flaws that can’t be fixed, like your idiot character unloading 6 laser rifle shots in VATS into the lamppost between you and that supermutant you’re shooting at. Such limitations aren’t that difficult to work around as a player, though. Any real criticism of the game I think has to be leveled at story/character development/consequences for actions issues. There are some issues in these regards (like the main plot ending, which is just dumb) but on the whole the game pulls off what it sets out to do. It’s going to rank up there with my favourite games of all time. ---
**Author:** ![YamatoTwinkie](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/y/cc9497/32.png) [@YamatoTwinkie](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/YamatoTwinkie)\ **Post date:** [May 4, 2009, 7:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-so-good-about-fallout3/495051/37 "2009-05-04T19:31:34Z")
> [@Lobsang](#): > > But I want to try the more recent FO2 before FO1. Does that matter? Or would I be better off playing them in order? Both FO1 and FO2 run on the same engine, so they’re more or less visually identical. From what I recall, FO2 has some interface improvements, better balancing for the stats/perks, and more “stuff” to do, but FO1’s storyline & main quest is much more cohesive (and not as wacky). I’d play them in order, if I were you. Also, if the graphics from the earlier Fallouts are too painful, you might want to look into the increased resolution mod. ---
**Author:** ![Death\_of\_Rats](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/a6a055/32.png) [@Death\_of\_Rats](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Death_of_Rats)\ **Post date:** [May 4, 2009, 8:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-so-good-about-fallout3/495051/38 "2009-05-04T20:05:43Z")
One thing that I like about it is that the world exists even when you aren’t there. NPCs can and will fight each other and die in the process. I have come across traders and other NPCs wiped out because of run ins with Ghouls or Supermutants a few times. Conversely I have also had them clear out areas for me. I also like hearing Three Dog broadcast my exploits on GNR, especially when I am being bad. ---
**Author:** ![MJinks](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/da6949/32.png) [@MJinks](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MJinks)\ **Post date:** [May 4, 2009, 8:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-so-good-about-fallout3/495051/39 "2009-05-04T20:32:14Z")
I like Fallout 3 but I don’t like the lack of good item progression. I mean, after a few hours of play I already have some very good armour and all my end-game small guns. I don’t go searching for them, I’m only exploring the outskirts of the city ATM. It’s worse with Melee as once you get the Shishkebab, which you can get quite early, you’ll never need another weapon. I can’t find any mod that changes that and I’m not sure how they could. It’s one of the downsides of such an open, non-linear world. I’m using quite a lot of mods, my favourite is Mart’s Mutant Mod with increased spawns enabled. I’m using a slower levelling mod too and I find the Comprehension perk to be invaluable. I’ve tons of ammo stockpiled by level 4 though and that’s without using vendors (I don’t use quick travel). I think as long as you don’t stick to one gun you’ll be fine. ---
**Author:** ![Claptree](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/58f4c7/32.png) [@Claptree](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Claptree)\ **Post date:** [May 4, 2009, 8:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-so-good-about-fallout3/495051/40 "2009-05-04T20:55:20Z")
> [@LawMonkey](#): > > Oops–sorry for the misunderstanding, Claptree. Pre-war money works as weightless ammo for the Rock-It Launcher, but it was (IMO) too valuable to risk wasting as ammo. In general, I agree that the RIL is a lot cooler as an idea than as an actual weapon. No problem. As I posted in the really really long Fallout 3 thread: if you could shoot the plungers so that they stuck onto your enemies, it would be the only weapon I’d use. It may not do a lot of damage, and you’ll probably have to spend a lot of time looking for all the plungers you missed with, but it would be so worth it. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-so-good-about-fallout3/495051.md?page=1) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-so-good-about-fallout3/495051.md?page=3)