There's a semblance of order, thanks to the soldiers of the New California Republic. This isn't the barren, blasted wasteland of Washington DC from the previous game. There's no Vault-based opening this time, as the game takes place long after the remnants of humanity have begun rebuilding the world they left behind, their underground homes left to junkies, gangs and mutant plant life (or transformed into kitschy hotels). You can have my earnings clipboards when you prise them from my cold, dead hand.ĭéjà vu doesn't last long.
That it's gone to the trouble of developing both the series' narrative and it gameplay mechanics speaks highly of the studio's attention to detail. Obsidian could have restricted its ambition to inheriting Bethesda's game engine and turning out more of the same, and most of Fallout 3's sizeable fanbase would have been quite happy. In fact, those who felt Fallout 3 deviated too far from the series' role-playing roots may even find they nod appreciatively at some of the deeper elements New Vegas reintroduces. And you can put aside any concerns regarding the decision to hand over to Obsidian for development duties on this spin-off while the studio stumbled with its fun-but-flawed espionage RPG, Alpha Protocol, there are enough former Black Isle people still roaming its halls to make New Vegas feel authentic, right down to the last detail. New Vegas may jump across America for its setting, and forward several years in the timeline, but it's a seamless continuation of what Bethesda set in motion in 2008 with Fallout 3. That's when I realise Fallout has dug its radioactive claws into me yet again. Why do I need a shovel again? It comes back to me: I need a shovel because I want to dig up the unmarked graves in the cemetery where I was shot in the head by a post-apocalyptic gangster to see if there's anything useful in them. Something about this unbidden thought sets off alarm bells.
As I pass a small hardware shop, I remember that I've been meaning to get a shovel, and wonder if it's worth picking one up now. I'm walking to the Post Office to post some packages.
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