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First impressions: 'Fallout: New Vegas'

By Brett Molina, USA TODAY

Darkness consumes the Mojave Wasteland, and I'm looking for any sign of life as I try to find the unsavory characters who cut my delivery short with a point-blank gunshot.

But off in the distance, I'm greeted by a bright, glowing beacon. It's a giant tower, accompanied by several neon signs. Finally, I've discovered New Vegas, the heart of the latest iteration of Fallout, the epic role-playing franchise brought back to life by Bethesda Softworks.

Fallout: New Vegas, out today, follows a courier whose delivery is cut short by a gang hoping to snag a precious package. The courier sets off into the Mojave and, eventually, a post-apocalyptic Sin City to find clues about who did it.

Since there's so much to explore in New Vegas, Game Hunters will wait an extra day or two for a proper review of Bethesda's latest title. However, for those eager to learn fresh information on life out West following a devastating nuclear attack, read on (some spoilers ahead, so use caution).

-- Fallout 3 fans should be very familiar with VATS, the Vault-Tec Assisted Targeting System that allows players to set up a series of strikes using Attack Points. Expect that element to remain unchanged, but what is different in New Vegas is combat outside of VATS. Guns now include iron sights to aim more accurately. Picking off enemies is not as precise as it would be in a typical first-person shooter, but it is a step up from Fallout 3.

-- Speaking of weapons, a subtle tweak to repairs allows player to restore them to their original condition. In Fallout 3, there was a limit on the effectiveness of weapon fixes. Not anymore. It also makes it easier for players to control how much weight they're carrying.

-- The Mojave Wasteland feels incredibly huge. There was so much to do in the early stages of the game that it took several hours before I finally ended up on the New Vegas strip.

-- As with Fallout 3, New Vegas features a fascinating set of characters and some rather humorous side stories. There's Vikki and Vance, a poor man's Bonnie and Clyde, known for their massive crime spree involving cashing bad checks and the "gas and dash" (driving off without paying at gas stations). A casino sporting their names in the town of Primm features a museum in their honor and more details on their eventual demise. And then there are The Kings, a gang in the town of Freeside inspired by Elvis Presley. As you might expect, their leader and all its members emulate Elvis, right down to his voice.

-- It's unfortunate that studio Obsidian Entertainment did not do more to make Fallout: New Vegas a technically sound game. The giant ants roaming the Mojave aren't the title's most annoying bugs. While exploring Freeside, my weapons disappear from the scene. My character is still carrying them, indicated by the ammo counter on the bottom right corner. I just can't see them in my hand when armed. There were handfuls of foes that were stuck in the ground, unable to move. They can't attack, and players can't take them out. Also, like Fallout 3, New Vegas features a few too many loading screens.

-- Want proof of video games imitating life? My blackjack skills in New Vegas are as horrendous as in the real world. At least I can boost my Luck attribute in New Vegas and rake in the bottle caps.

-- Favorite weapon spotted in a gun shop: "That Gun." The price? 1337 caps.

Stay tuned for a full review soon. Readers, looking forward to the game? Also, feel free to ask any questions.

By Brett Molina

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