The final quarter of 2012 looks to be a doozy for video game fans!

Assassins Creed 3, Halo 4, Resident Evil 6, Call of Duty: Black Ops 2, as well as Dead or Alive 5, will all be released before the New Year – ensuring fans stay broke! Still, if you find you can’t afford the new titles coming out, you can still pick up some amazing games from the cheap bin, which doesn’t necessarily translate to “I have been there before.” Here’s another example of what you can get for $20 or less: Fallout 3.

Fallout 3

by Bethesda| Rated: Mature|Platform: Xbox 360, PS3, PC.

Picking up where Black Isle Studios left off, Bethesda Softworks in 2008 launched their foray into the Post-Apocalyptic world of Fallout. To say their attempt was a success would be an understatement. Taking everything they learned both good and bad from the Elder Scroll’s series, Bethesda was not only able to build a realistic post-apocalyptic Washington DC, they more than succeeded at making a trek through bare desert landscape fun! Not to mention rummaging through trash.

The story is arguably always going to be the most important part of a game, so it’s a good thing Fallout 3 provides one hell of a tale. As usual with a Bethesda game, if one simply plays through the main quest they will find the game lacking in the story department. It goes by too quick and players can often find themselves feeling a bit jilted. However, the world is made of hundreds of “Alternate Quests”. Quests that not only build the world around the player, but allow him/her to experience what the game truly offers! The main story alone is a great one: it tells of a boy separated from his family and thrust into a world full of dangers. The actions you take in DC will shape the lone wanderer either twisting him into heartless raider, or press him further to better the world that was horrifically scared by war. Without going further into the story, suffice to say your journey will revolve heavily around what kind of mark you leave on the wastelands of DC. Story: 10/10

The graphics are amazing, at least they were for their time. The game still manages to hold its own, but as it was released four years ago it does feel slightly dated. The character models are very detailed and realistic, the only issue with characters is at times pieces of clothing will bleed through objects. The backgrounds are still fantastic to this day, they really put the player into the setting of a post-apocalyptic world. Of course there is some late-loading issues, but nowhere near as much as Oblivion or Mass Affect. On top of all of this the armor and weapons all have a nice “worn down” feel to them making the world feel like a truly degraded place. Graphics 8/10

Here is another key element in making a great game. The game-play for fallout 3 seemed odd at first, but once you start playing it really envelopes you. The game has RPG elements, but it also has a distinct feel of a First Person Shooter. If you wish to simply point and shoot you can do that, or you can go into V.A.T.S. to choose specifically where you would like to shoot/attack and it will show you your percentage of hitting the target and so forth. Upon creating a character you choose your stats, and starting skills. Like a traditional RPG, you gain XP to level up. Leveling up will allow you to increase your skills, and choose Perks. Perks allow you gain bonuses so you can truly customize who your character is. A melee fighter, a sniper, a thief, maybe even a Doctor. In the end, it’s all up to you. The player has complete control over their character’s physical appearance, which is greatly improved from Bethesda previous game. Almost every action taken will affect the characters Karma and how the world sees the lone wanderer. Giving a dying traveler water will well, e.g. she works well.”>gain good karma, where sneaking land mines in someones pants will gain you bad karma…but it is funny as hell. Originally there were some issues with leveling, with a cap of level 20 in fact, but through the release of DC or D.C. (with a period after each letter).”>DLC that has been pushed up to 30. The level cap, for some, is still an issue. Game-play 8/10

For me, voice acting is a big part in a game. If it has horrible voice acting, then it just really draws attention away from the good in the game. One of my major issues with Oblivion was it felt like the entire game was voiced by the same seven actors. This game fixed that slightly. Most random NPC’s voices will be similar, however there is a real individuality for major players of which there are more. I do have to give them props though, Liam Neeson voices the who, e.g.: There are several children who need our help.”>father which is, lets just face it, really awesome. Aside form the voice acting, the sound in this game is amazing. The guns all have a great sound, and at times they are given an extra edge to show wear and tear. Then, there is the radio. The music provides a real ghost image of the world before the bombs fell. All that’s left are classic hits by artist like Danny Kaye, Bob Crosby or Cole Porter. It’s haunting, and it works.Sound 8/10

There is so much to do in this game that you will be hard pressed to complete everything in your first run. From the gender of the character to the build of the character, and of course the Good/Neutral/Evil karma; this game has so many possibilities. Several of the companions you travel with have a karma dependency even! Fallout 3 is definitely a game you could play five times over and still manage to find something new. Replay-value 10/10

The game is entertaining and can fill a huge gap in-between new releases. With a high replay-value and an amazing story, this isn’t something you should pass up. In fact, I almost didn’t write about this simply because everyone should have at one point played this game. If you haven’t, you’re really missing out and I can’t stress the need to go and grab this now. Overall, I would  give it an 8/10. With plenty of DLC included in the GotY edition you just can’t pass this one up. Go get it now, before the bombs fall…okay that was kind of lame.

Final Rating: 8/10