Disappointment in the Wasteland
Over the weekend I managed to
finish off the main quest in Fallout 3 and it really ends in a
whimper. I have to admit I kind of got into Fallout 3 well after it's
release so I'm sure for a lot of people this is old news. They have
survived the wasteland and are either playing something else or perhaps
defending Alaska from the Communists in the Fallout three expansion.
One of the great aspects of Oblivion was that once you completed the final quest the game didn't end. You saved the kingdom then you were able to continue to explore the world. There were only five or so main quest objectives which were time consuming adventures. Then there were several side quests that were meaty adventures to complete. The world in Oblivion was vast with several dungeons to explore and find new loot.
Instead of following this pattern in Fallout 3, the game decides to favor short mini quests and a linear ending of the game. The main quest's goals end up being very short towards the end of the game. I think I managed to complete the final three objectives in maybe an hour of game play. This wouldn't be so bad if it weren't for the fact that once you complete the game it's all over. You have an option and then the game is done, a crappy power point with narrative begins then it's the credits screen. If you want to pickup any of the other side quests you'll need to find a save from before you accept the final quest.
I guess I'm a bit surprised at how short the game ended up being and how easy the game became towards the end. For the most part the raiders, super mutants and radiated monsters of the wasteland didn't become more difficult to fight. A new group of enemies did appear and they were more difficult but they weren't to tough to deal with. Overall Fallout 3 is a bit of a disappointment that I managed to wrap up in under 34 hours. There are a couple achievements I'll go back and hunt through like finding 100 locations and getting to level 20 but I'll do that as I find time. I do not feel completed to replay this game at all which really is the biggest disappointment.
One of the great aspects of Oblivion was that once you completed the final quest the game didn't end. You saved the kingdom then you were able to continue to explore the world. There were only five or so main quest objectives which were time consuming adventures. Then there were several side quests that were meaty adventures to complete. The world in Oblivion was vast with several dungeons to explore and find new loot.
Instead of following this pattern in Fallout 3, the game decides to favor short mini quests and a linear ending of the game. The main quest's goals end up being very short towards the end of the game. I think I managed to complete the final three objectives in maybe an hour of game play. This wouldn't be so bad if it weren't for the fact that once you complete the game it's all over. You have an option and then the game is done, a crappy power point with narrative begins then it's the credits screen. If you want to pickup any of the other side quests you'll need to find a save from before you accept the final quest.
I guess I'm a bit surprised at how short the game ended up being and how easy the game became towards the end. For the most part the raiders, super mutants and radiated monsters of the wasteland didn't become more difficult to fight. A new group of enemies did appear and they were more difficult but they weren't to tough to deal with. Overall Fallout 3 is a bit of a disappointment that I managed to wrap up in under 34 hours. There are a couple achievements I'll go back and hunt through like finding 100 locations and getting to level 20 but I'll do that as I find time. I do not feel completed to replay this game at all which really is the biggest disappointment.
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