Game Review

Published on Friday 19 December 2008 15:05

Fallout 3 (PC/PS3/XB360, £39.99)

BETHEDSA Softworks took on a mammoth task when they agreed to make a sequel to Fallout. The series, depicting life in a post-apocalyptic America, has a huge cult following on PC, meaning the pressure was on to keep this game in line with what had gone before.

In the game you have lived all your life in an underground bunker, reserved for the world's cultural elite and governed by an oppressive overseer. Thanks to the intervention of fate, you break free of the vault and are cast out into the nuclear wasteland of Washington DC.

This truly is a compelling game. It's haunting to see ruined towns and real-life landmarks in tatters in the still silence. Things don't stay peaceful for long, however, and you find yourself caught up in an epic journey across the US capital.

As you traverse the barren wastes, you encounter a host of mutated beasts and murderous raiders. Thankfully, a range of firearms and melee weapons are at your disposal, with upgrades available for sale from local traders. The combat system works well. When faced with an enemy, activating the mode pauses the game and damage indicators tell you how effective certain actions will be.

Fallout 3 is by far the best game of the year and one of the finest role-play games around.