1 Fallout
Fallout: New Vegas is a post-apocalyptic role-playing video game developed by Obsidian Entertainment and published by Bethesda Softworks. While New Vegas is not a direct sequel, it uses the same engine and style as Fallout 3, and many of its developers worked on previous Fallout games at Black Isle Studios. It is the fourth major installment in the Fallout series and sixth overall. The game is set primarily in a post-apocalyptic Nevada, California, Arizona and Utah.
The game was released on October 19, 2010, in North America, October 22, 2010, in Europe, and November 4, 2010, in Asia. It is available on the PC, Xbox 360, and PlayStation 3. A backwards compatible version for Xbox One was released on June 23, 2016.[1]
Although a number of hoaxes and purported leaks took place, no Fallout: New Vegas 2 plans are currently confirmed.
Gameplay
Combat
Main article: Fallout: New Vegas combat
Gameplay includes a combat system that allows for both first and third person view and features the ability to use weapon iron sights. The game also made a change from the true bullet flight paths in Fallout 3 to simulated bullet flight paths, which means the bullets, when fired, originate from the center of the screen's crosshairs, rather than the tip of the gun's barrel.[2]
Fallout: New Vegas utilizes the Damage Threshold (DT) mechanic. If an enemy has a high DT, some weapons may be ineffective. This is indicated by a red shield near the enemy's health bar when attacking it, both in and out of V.A.T.S. The damage threshold will be due to high armor or a built-in mechanic to that character, and will require the Courier to either retreat or attack with a more powerful weapon.
Hardcore mode
Main article: Hardcore mode
Hardcore mode is an optional setting that attempts to make the game more realistic, with gameplay elements such as dehydration, and non-instantaneous healing. It can be turned on and off mid-game. Either a trophy or achievement is awarded for completing Fallout: New Vegas on Hardcore mode. In order to earn it, the entire game must be played in the mode from the point first prompted until the endgame sequence, without ever turning the setting off. The Casual/Hardcore mode distinction is independent of difficulty settings.
Character system
Main article: Fallout: New Vegas SPECIAL
The SPECIAL system returns and directly influences speech options and quests. Traits can be chosen and perks are gained every two levels.
V.A.T.S.
Main article: Vault-Tec Assisted Targeting System
The Vault-Tec Assisted Targeting System, or V.A.T.S., is an active pause combat system implemented in the game. While using V.A.T.S., the otherwise real-time combat is paused. Use of one's weapon can be seen in slow motion and greater detail. Attacks in V.A.T.S. cost Action Points and one can target specific body areas for attacks to inflict specific injuries. Melee weapons now have special moves in V.A.T.S., such as "Fore!" for golf clubs, along with special Unarmed moves such as Ranger Takedown.
The player character will take more damage in V.A.T.S. than in Fallout 3 (75%, up from 10%). One can choose to activate or deactivate a dynamic "Kill Cam," which shows one's success in combat in slow motion. The setting can also be changed to only show this cinematic viewpoint for the last enemy of a group.
Karma and reputation
There is a Karma system incorporated alongside reputation system, similar to Fallout 2.[3] Reputation is a form of tracking relationships within the many factions and towns of Fallout: New Vegas, such as the NCR or Goodsprings. A high reputation with a faction or town may give certain benefits, such as gifts from the people who live there, while a low reputation may lead to hits being taken out against them. Karma in Fallout: New Vegas has less of an effect than reputation, which is the primary factor affecting how people react.
Weapon modding
A modding feature allows for the modification of weapons by adding scopes, extended magazines, silencers, and more. Weapons can have a maximum of three attached mods, and they cannot be removed once placed. Obsidian implemented this feature as a direct response to the popularity of the Weapon Mod Kits mod for Fallout 3.[4]
Unique weapons
There are unique versions of weapons in Fallout: New Vegas. Unique weapons have different textures and adornments. Counting all the add-ons, there are a total of 81 unique weapons. Some require the completion of a quest to find, are looted, or can be found in specific locations.
Companion wheel
Main article: Companion wheel
A new companion wheel has been added to quickly and easily give companions commands such as "Talk," "Use Ranged Weapons," and "Wait Here." It also makes it easier to restore their health using stimpaks and swap equipment. The companions also have specific likes and dislikes; giving a sniper companion a shotgun, for example, will result in a negative impact and decreased effectiveness.
Gambling
Main article: Gambling
The city of New Vegas, as well as other smaller settlements in the game, have a variety of colorful casinos or other forms of gambling to explore. In Fallout: New Vegas, several gambling mini-games have been added, including Blackjack, Roulette, and slots. Outside the casinos, many people across the Mojave play Caravan, a card game designed by Obsidian specifically for the game. One's Luck contributes to the outcome of gambling games.
One will receive money for winning, and casino floor managers will congratulate the player character with food, drink, or a comped suite at the hotel. Winning too much money after that, however, will result in the floor manager letting them know they will not be able to earn any more winnings. Although one can no longer gamble in that casino, they are still able to enter and buy items or food.
Story
Main articles: Fallout: New Vegas plot, Mojave Wasteland
Fallout: New Vegas takes place in 2281, four years after the events of Fallout 3, 40 years after Fallout 2, 120 years after Fallout, and six years before the events of Fallout 4. The game is set in the Mojave Desert following the Great War. Three entities are vying for control of New Vegas and the surrounding region, including the New California Republic, Vegas' Mr. House and Caesar's Legion.
The Courier, the player character, was meant to deliver a package to New Vegas but they were intercepted by the Great Khans led by Benny, near Goodsprings. Benny steals the package, shoots them twice in the head, and leaves them for dead in a shallow grave. They are rescued by a robot named Victor, transporting them to nearby Doc Mitchell, who saves their life. After the Courier is given some medical tests, they enter the open world, and the quest Ain't That a Kick in the Head begins.
Fallout: New Vegas has a definitive ending which is dependent on what actions are taken during the game's events, with separate ending slides for each major location, political faction, and recruited companion.
Add-ons
Main article: Fallout: New Vegas add-ons
A total of six add-ons, Dead Money, Honest Hearts, Old World Blues, Lonesome Road, Courier's Stash, and Gun Runners' Arsenal were released.
Dead Money - The Courier is abducted and the player temporarily loses access to their inventory. Dead Money is known for being very challenging and similar to a survival horror game, making the player feel dis-empowered and vulnerable to various death traps. The maze-like map features winding hallways. The Courier learns about the story of the Sierra Madre and is forced to wear an explosive death collar, along with three other victims, Dog and God, Christine Royce (the former girlfriend of Veronica Santangelo) and Dean Domino.
Honest Hearts - The Courier boards a caravan company to the Zion Canyon. They become intertwined in a story about tribes and a man named Joshua Graham. To begin Honest Hearts, the Courier must have less than 75 to 100 pounds in their inventory, depending on factors.
Old World Blues - The Courier is abducted, but they get to keep their inventory this time. They find themselves in large circular dome called Big MT and finds a group of scientists called the Think Tank who have transferred their minds into robots. At the beginning of this add-on, the player can expect little gameplay, as the opening features a lot of dialogue with the scientists. The main bulk of the gameplay consists of fetch quests.
Lonesome Road - The Courier takes a linear journey through the Divide to meet a man named Ulysses. The player gets access to a laser detonator which can detonate nuclear warheads to clear their path. The end of the quest affects the Mojave, as the Courier can decide where to send a nuke.
There were also four different pre-order bonuses, including the Classic Pack, Caravan Pack, Tribal Pack, and Mercenary Pack. Each one had a unique suit of armor and a unique weapon not found in-game, along with a few other in-game items.
Ultimate Edition
The Fallout: New Vegas Ultimate Edition was released on February 7, 2012 in North America and February 10 in Europe. The package contents are the base game along with all add-ons, including Gun Runners' Arsenal and Courier's Stash.
