http://www.oxm.co.uk/article.php?id=9617

Bethesda announced Fallout: New Vegas for 2010 release.
Not a sequel to Fallout 3, it will be a standalone RPG developed by Obsidian.
Set in the western territories of the original games in the series.

More info at E3.

At this rate, some of us will still be playing Fallout 3 DLC when New Vegas shows up.

Awesome news!

Speaking of DLC....It's the 20th of April (woo! :p) and I still haven't seen a release date for the newest DLC. Did it get delayed again?

Whoa! Obsidian's in on this one? Awesome!

Eh as long as it's not like that unfinished, buggy mess that was KotoR II. I don't really know if I'll care though because you know we'll most likely end up with ES5 by then.

So wait. The dudes that made Fallout in the first place are getting another crack at it? Rad. :)

As Tycho put it, Obsidian always has a problem with the technology side of making games. Given that that part is already done for them, they are free to focus on what they are good at, content.

these games consume my soul. It so right yet so wrong

Is it 2010 yet? I may have to go on a Cartman-esque quest to freeze myself. :D

more importantly where is Rainbow six: new vegas???

New Fallout New Vegas trailer/teaser :

http://xbox360.ign.com/dor/objects/14341976/fallout-new-vegas/videos/falloutnewvegas_trl_teaser_020410.html

I was worried that Mass Effect 2 was going to be the best game of the year, coming out in only January. I wasn't looking forward to a repeat of 2005 where Resident Evil 4 came out in January and beat the crap out of everyone.

So, Fallout Vegas in Fall 2010? Best news I'll hear all day.

more importantly where is Rainbow six: new vegas???

From the looks of the Fallout trailer my guess is Rainbow Six didn't survive the disaster!

Can't wait for this game. I really hope they didn't screw it up.

Has it been confirmed that this game is using the Fallout 3 engine? I've read some bits and pieces about this game, but nowhere have I seen it mentioned that it's actually using the Fallout 3 engine. This would be a major concern of mine, because Obsidian are experts at making extremely ambitious, but extremely buggy games. If it's using the Fallout 3 engine, then maybe it won't be totally sketchy, but if not, I'd be very concerned.

I'd have figured they wouldn't ape the Fallout 3 trailer almost shot for shot but eh it still looks interesting. I'm waiting for screen shots now.

I've never played any fallout other than fallout 3. Is it safe to say that if I loved fallout 3, I will like the others, ie this new one? Or was fallout 3 pretty different, in some way?

Fallout 1 and 2 used a top down 2d/3d view, instead of a first or third person perspective.

Aside from that, they aren't really that different. Fallout 3 incorporated most of the gameplay from the previous games. They are worth playing if you don't have a problem with retro-gaming on a PC. I picked them both up from gog.com on the cheap.

I couldn't beat Fallout 2. The final stage just shredded me. Games were a lot harder back in the day.

I've never played any fallout other than fallout 3. Is it safe to say that if I loved fallout 3, I will like the others, ie this new one? Or was fallout 3 pretty different, in some way?
Bear in mind that "Fallout 2" is a 1998 game by Black Isle, while "Fallout 3" is a 2008 game by Bethesda. All of the assets inherited from Black Isle were dumped and the game was developed from scratch. After 10 years, it was more or less a reboot of the series. While it attempted to stay true to the "feel" of the "Fallout" series (and made sure to include the PIP-Boy!), it invented many of its own mechanics.

I think it's safe to say that any new "Fallout" title will be a heck of a lot closer to "Fallout 3" than to any previous titles in the series. That's not to say that "Fallout 3" was radically different, but yeah, if you liked it, you'll almost certainly like the next game in the series, I would imagine.

Sounds like I better get busy with the dlc...My problem is I have fallout on the ps3, as you all know the dlc was delayed and I was finished with the game before the dlc came out so I moved onto other games and just never made it back....

Bear in mind that "Fallout 2" is a 1998 game by Black Isle, while "Fallout 3" is a 2008 game by Bethesda. All of the assets inherited from Black Isle were dumped and the game was developed from scratch. After 10 years, it was more or less a reboot of the series. While it attempted to stay true to the "feel" of the "Fallout" series (and made sure to include the PIP-Boy!), it invented many of its own mechanics.

I think it's safe to say that any new "Fallout" title will be a heck of a lot closer to "Fallout 3" than to any previous titles in the series. That's not to say that "Fallout 3" was radically different, but yeah, if you liked it, you'll almost certainly like the next game in the series, I would imagine.Thanks.

In that case, I can't wait for this new title!

I still think that everybody that is super hyped for this game curb their enthusiasm a wee bit until we know if it's using the Fallout 3 engine. If it's using the Fallout 3 engine, then the excitement is definitely justified, if it's using a different engine, I would lower my expectations drastically. Just look at the development of Alpha Protocol. That game was supposed to come out last October but had a tremendous number of bugs and issues, and ended up being delayed till April. I'm guessing that even when Alpha Protocol comes out in April or May or whenever it does finally come out, it will still be a pretty buggy game. That's just the way obsidian is. They are incredibly ambitious with the scope of their games, but this ambition typically leads to a very buggy experience.

I'd bet that since Bethesda is the publisher and they own the engine, that it is what NV is going to use. No point developing a new one from the ground up.

http://www.joystiq.com/2010/03/07/first-screens-from-fallout-new-vegas-surface-feature-glorious/

New screens just hit. Plus, an awesome youtube link to awesome beards!

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^^^^^ that is awesome....

I'd bet that since Bethesda is the publisher and they own the engine, that it is what NV is going to use. No point developing a new one from the ground up.

You'd likely win the bet.

In one of the previews, an Obsidian dev was quoted as remarking that they were familiar with the Bethesda RPG engine so development was moving fast.
There are also several scattered published reports to that effect:
http://www.strategyinformer.com/news/6892/fallout-new-vegas-new-stuff-expected-today-bethesda-teases

Add-in the recent reports that FALLOUT3's RPG mechanics (SPECIAL, GOAT, etc) are in the new game, just renamed, and it looks like they won't be messing with success.

There *are* reports about making gunfights more FPS-like (brrr!) but hopefully they won't strip away the strategic freedom that Fallout3 offered or make it unplayable by non twitch-shooters.

A quick glance at the new screenshots shows that this is much like GTA Vice City was in relation to GTA 3. It isn't called Fallout 4 for a reason, as it is very much "Fallout 3: Part 2", just as Vice City was "GTA 3: Part 2". A lot of art assets are obviously going to be reused, and the engine is the same thing as Fallout 3's with a probably a couple of tweaks here and there given what Bethesda has learned in the last two years.

This is a good thing, as Obsidian is not a company that can be trusted to come up with game mechanics on their own. They are a group that I have no problem with trusting to build what amounts to an expansion pack to another developer's proven product.

One thing I've been wondering is why, given the success of Shivering Isles on Oblivion, and the long history of successul expansion packs on PC, we haven't seen more large full-scale expansions for current console RPGs.

Taken together, the various DLC modules for Fallout3 added up to as much code (and revenue) as a full expansion but fell a bit short of the value of Shivering Isles.

EA seems headed in that direction with Dragon Age: Awakening and (I suspect) with Mass Effect 2 so I suppose we'll soon know how the two approaches compare, saleswise. (At least somebody at Microsoft will. ;) )

Still, I'm not sure how fair it will be to characterize Fallout:NV as an expansion pack as the player character, story, and setting are different. Yes, it is a clear derivative of Fallout 3 code and graphics assets but it will be a standalone product; you won't need Fallout 3 to play it. And the gameplay *will* be at least somewhat different.

I'm thinking its more like the endless Guitar Hero and Rock Band derivatives (Metallicca, Aerosmith, Beatles, whatever); an attempt to milk an existing franchise with a quickie followup. Normally not the best off things but given the history of the developers involved, there mght be a happy ending ahead.

I still think that everybody that is super hyped for this game curb their enthusiasm a wee bit until we know if it's using the Fallout 3 engine.

If I remember right, this was confirmed when this game was originally announced last year.

There *are* reports about making gunfights more FPS-like (brrr!) but hopefully they won't strip away the strategic freedom that Fallout3 offered or make it unplayable by non twitch-shooters.

Was excited for this title but I'll hold off until I learn more about this. I used VATS almost exclusively in Fallout 3 and if this one turns into a dumbassed FPS I'll pass.

The first thing I thought of when I saw the inkblot in this screenshot was John Wayne Gacy. :(

http://www.joystiq.com/photos/fallout-new-vegas/#2777520

Was excited for this title but I'll hold off until I learn more about this. I used VATS almost exclusively in Fallout 3 and if this one turns into a dumbassed FPS I'll pass.

So would I.
However, quote aside, there's this screenshot:
http://www.joystiq.com/photos/fallout-new-vegas/#2777521

Not sure if its called VATS or not but it does seem to be there.

And then there's this:
http://www.joystiq.com/photos/fallout-new-vegas/#2777525

So far, its looking promising.

Now to see if you can get Chinese stealth armor...

I tell you what, I need to see some shots of Vegas because frankly what I'm seeing so far isn't exciting me. It looks like Fallout 3. I know I know keep the faith, more will be shown, but I really want to see some Vegas shots lol.

The stripper zombie that you can mate with is going to be an add-on. Only 69 microsoft points!

Was excited for this title but I'll hold off until I learn more about this. I used VATS almost exclusively in Fallout 3 and if this one turns into a dumbassed FPS I'll pass.
From the preview in "Official Xbox Magazine", VATS is returning, despite the fact that in general the combat is being made more action-oriented. I'm not sure how the two are related, if at all. Perhaps when not using VATS, they're looking at having weapons fire faster or something of the sort? The one thing I did see related to this was that melee weapons are getting "special" moves if one has a high enough melee skill to try and make them more attractive.

Lastly, there was mention of an optional "Hardcore" mode, where stimpaks provide their health restoration gradually, rather than all at once. Additionally in this mode, ammo has weight, although considering what a pain weight management was in "Fallout 3", I'm not sure I'd make use of this.

From the preview in "Official Xbox Magazine", VATS is returning, despite the fact that in general the combat is being made more action-oriented. I'm not sure how the two are related, if at all. Perhaps when not using VATS, they're looking at having weapons fire faster or something of the sort?

Make they're looking to make the enemies move/shoot super-fast while you move like a slug, kinda like Mass Effect 2? Or maybe they want to make mt more like Borderlands than a real RPG.

Hopefully all it means is better/more varied combat animations; combat balance in Fallout3 is fine.
And Vats is fun; it lets you try (and succeed at) fun stunts like shooting a grenade right in the enemy's hand.

I'd rather see more creative pranks than more twitch shooting and sorry to see FORE! return as a generic headshot.

I guess it remains to be seen. We have enough "FPS with RPG-like elements" when looking at the multiplayer of games out there today (e.g. the "Call of Duty" franchise), so I'd certainly like to see "Fallout: New Vegas" remain an RPG with valid non-twitch elements. The combat system in "Mass Effect 2" is absolute crap.

One thing I did think looked interesting from the preview was the weapon customizations, i.e. ability to modify a rifle with a scope or an extended magazine. Not sure how readily available such modifications will be in the game, but anything that lets the player have more control over gear is cool. Sadly, I know this isn't the direction "Fallout" is going, but I'd like to see armor/clothing for more body locations than just "body" and "head". Again, the more options one has available, the more depth and strategy can be accessed by the player.

I guess it remains to be seen. We have enough "FPS with RPG-like elements" when looking at the multiplayer of games out there today (e.g. the "Call of Duty" franchise), so I'd certainly like to see "Fallout: New Vegas" remain an RPG with valid non-twitch elements. The combat system in "Mass Effect 2" is absolute crap.

One thing I did think looked interesting from the preview was the weapon customizations, i.e. ability to modify a rifle with a scope or an extended magazine. Not sure how readily available such modifications will be in the game, but anything that lets the player have more control over gear is cool. Sadly, I know this isn't the direction "Fallout" is going, but I'd like to see armor/clothing for more body locations than just "body" and "head". Again, the more options one has available, the more depth and strategy can be accessed by the player.

Agreed on all points.
One point of note: weapon customization is a strong element in Alpha Protocol (also by Obsidian).

I was really disappointed that Fallout 3 didn't have weapon customization, it was the first thing I thought of when they said you'd be able to make weapons. I wanted to be able to disassemble guns and build my own. Not quite there with New Vegas, but enough to interest me.

GamesRadar has a detailed preview:
http://www.gamesradar.com/xbox360/fallout-new-vegas/preview/first-look-at-fallout-new-vegas/a-20100423103112330004/g-2009050816317271026

Several good news items like shorter intro/setup, better conversation system, more elaborate consequences system, special weapon attacks, no serious gameplay changes. It's Fallout 3... In Vegas.
Sounds about right.

Even more juicy details at the IGN preview:
http://xbox360.ign.com/articles/108/1086462p1.html

Hardcore mode sounds juicy.
I hope there's a chinese stealth suit somewhere in it. ;)

You can now get release date delivery from Amazon for $.99 for this game. If you've already preordered you'll have to cancel and redo your order - the instructions in the email they sent out don't work.

I love that feature. Will definitely put that in when I order ...umm... the next 360 game I get. This one is going on my PC. Steam FTW! :D

B2C6kZnPQCs

Sweet! Still looking forward to this one.... although maybe I should actually finish playing FO3 before I start this one. :o :p ;) :D

I've never played a Fallout game before. Would I need to play Fallout 3 before this?

I've never played a Fallout game before. Would I need to play Fallout 3 before this?

Not at all. New Vegas is a self-contained sidestory that takes place in a different area and with different characters from the prior Fallout games. A quick perusal of the Fallout wiki might be worthwhile to get a flavor of what the games are about and the world they take place in, but beyond that you should be fine.

I just beat the main storyline in Fallout 3, however anyone who has played FO3 knows that means little. I still have a TON of stuff to do in that game, and I figure by the time I get sick of it I will be in no hurry to play a game with similar mechanics. Still this game looks very good and makes me wish I beat Fallout 3 six months ago.

I just beat the main storyline in Fallout 3, however anyone who has played FO3 knows that means little. I still have a TON of stuff to do in that game, and I figure by the time I get sick of it I will be in no hurry to play a game with similar mechanics. Still this game looks very good and makes me wish I beat Fallout 3 six months ago.
Well, yeah. This is sort of the Fallout game for folks who like Fallout 3 but have done just about everything there is to do in it. After having played through the previous game twice, once without the DLC, and once with a couple of the DLC packs, I'm a little worn out on it. But a number of months later, a new game with a new setting? Heck yes.

There is no doubt in my mind I will be buying New Vegas at some point, especially if "hardcore mode" is challenging (right now, level 21 in FO3, I am the T-1000 of the Wastes). I just will need a little bit of time to "rest" and hopefully by then some cool NV DLC will be out.

Jonesing for this. Loved FO3, but I sold it a while ago and have the itch. Surprised there isn't more talk about this.

I am just wasting time waiting for this game. I kinda want MOH next week but I keep thinking "thats stupid FO Vegas comes out the week following and thats all I will be playing for the next month or so". (though I am going to by Fable the week after too. Just in case FO gets too depressing ;)).

Lastly, there was mention of an optional "Hardcore" mode, where stimpaks provide their health restoration gradually, rather than all at once. Additionally in this mode, ammo has weight, although considering what a pain weight management was in "Fallout 3", I'm not sure I'd make use of this.

I actually see playing the hardcore mode on my second time through the wasteland. The whole idea of staying hydrated and ammo weight is quite intriguing.

I can hardly contain myself. I spent countless hours with F03. Even though the engine is showing its age, badly in some cases, I never tire of the fallout universe. I'm interested to see what some of the original guys have brought to the table in terms of quests and story.

I actually see playing the hardcore mode on my second time through the wasteland. The whole idea of staying hydrated and ammo weight is quite intriguing.
I'm thinking about playing it that way from the start. Not that survival was easy early on in FO3, but I'm a scavenging whore, and late in the game I had supplies up the wazoo. Hardcore might crank up the realism of scrabbling for survival in the wastes.

I am so excited for this game. Spent hours and hours on FO3 trying to collect every weapon, every piece of clothing, basically everything there was to get to the point of reverse pickpocketing everyone I could to get their stuff, too. I'll probably try hardcore mode on my second playthrough, too, although I do see the allure of trying it from the start. In FO3, once I got the Chinese Stealth Armor, it became a walk in the park. Hardcore mode should up the difficulty quite a bit.

I'm thinking about playing it that way from the start. Not that survival was easy early on in FO3, but I'm a scavenging whore, and late in the game I had supplies up the wazoo. Hardcore might crank up the realism of scrabbling for survival in the wastes.

Exactly...I'm rolling easily with 500 stimpacks, thousands of credits, and 100,000's of ammo. More jet and buffout than I know what to do with.

I think going "hardcore" will change that quite a bit.

I also think I will try it "normal" at first to gauge how difficult the game is, especially depending on the stage of the game.

In FO3, once I got the Chinese Stealth Armor, it became a walk in the park. Hardcore mode should up the difficulty quite a bit.

Whuh? Chinese Stealth Armor? Where the hell did you find that? Thanks!

You get it as an item reward for beating the first DLC 'Operation Anchorage'. It has a constant stealth field enabled when you crouch along with other sneak related bonus's.

Guess what showed up yesterday! :)

http://img84.imageshack.us/img84/2337/photond.jpg

http://i69.photobucket.com/albums/i46/richbob/colbert.jpg
Yes please!

You get it as an item reward for beating the first DLC 'Operation Anchorage'. It has a constant stealth field enabled when you crouch along with other sneak related bonus's.
Oh, OK, thanks. I only got the Broken Steel DLC.

Guess what showed up yesterday! :)

http://img84.imageshack.us/img84/2337/photond.jpg

:eek:Lucky bastid!

Fallout 3 ($15-20), Fallout 3 GOTY ($40-60), or FO: NV? Any recommendations?

I played the original FO3 for about 6 hours or so when it came out, loved it, but didn't have much time for it then. I know nothing about the add-on packs and whether they are worth it or if FO:NV looks to improve upon FO3 so much that I should just skip it for now (saw a couple videos for FO:NV and it looks awesome). I'd like a nice RPG to play over the course of the winter, and the money isn't really a factor as long as the extra content in the GOTY is worth it. Any help would be appreciated.

Guess what showed up yesterday! :)

http://img84.imageshack.us/img84/2337/photond.jpg

When is the news/review ban lifted? Hopefully you can give us the lowdown a few days before release. I really want to play this but I am planning on waiting a few months for the gaming lull next year. If it is awesome I may have to pick it up sooner than I plan.

Fallout 3 ($15-20), Fallout 3 GOTY ($40-60), or FO: NV? Any recommendations?

I played the original FO3 for about 6 hours or so when it came out, loved it, but didn't have much time for it then. I know nothing about the add-on packs and whether they are worth it or if FO:NV looks to improve upon FO3 so much that I should just skip it for now (saw a couple videos for FO:NV and it looks awesome). I'd like a nice RPG to play over the course of the winter, and the money isn't really a factor as long as the extra content in the GOTY is worth it. Any help would be appreciated.
So, I paid full price for every piece of content for FO3 (the instant it was available for download), and felt it was worth it. It sucks that GOTY is so much more expensive, but the additional content is probably worth the extra money (Broken Steel alone is probably worth it just for the fact that the level cap is lifted, and you can continue to play past the end of the main story).

NV also looks pretty awesome (I'm less excited for it - before FO3 I was practically pissing my pants in anticipation at this point in the game, and this time I'm just mildly jittery), but it's unrelated to FO3, so you don't have to play them in a particular order.

When is the news/review ban lifted? Hopefully you can give us the lowdown a few days before release. I really want to play this but I am planning on waiting a few months for the gaming lull next year. If it is awesome I may have to pick it up sooner than I plan.


The embargo timing for all reviews and impression pieces surrounding Fallout: New Vegas is set to lift day of its release on Tuesday, October 19th at 12:01am ET.

Fallout 3 ($15-20), Fallout 3 GOTY ($40-60), or FO: NV? Any recommendations?

I played the original FO3 for about 6 hours or so when it came out, loved it, but didn't have much time for it then. I know nothing about the add-on packs and whether they are worth it or if FO:NV looks to improve upon FO3 so much that I should just skip it for now (saw a couple videos for FO:NV and it looks awesome). I'd like a nice RPG to play over the course of the winter, and the money isn't really a factor as long as the extra content in the GOTY is worth it. Any help would be appreciated.

I would get Fallout 3 GOTY. I've only played ~2 addon packs (OA and The Pitt, but anything post-ending is Broken Steel), and they are fun. The game will keep you busy for a while.

I hope New Vegas is good but Obsidian has been releasing a lot of train wrecks lately so I will see. But there will almost certainly be some DLC and GOTY edition later on so you may want to just wait for those.

Thanks guys - especially the mention on the level cap (which now I recall reading a long time ago). I'll spring for the GOTY edition and hopefully by the time I'm done with it, FO:NV will have one of it's own.

Just preordered. Can't wait until Tuesday after work!

Yeah, I have mine scheduled for after work on Tuesdat also.

James

Thanks guys - especially the mention on the level cap (which now I recall reading a long time ago). I'll spring for the GOTY edition and hopefully by the time I'm done with it, FO:NV will have one of it's own.

The GOTY edition will keep you busy for a LONG time, especially if you are one of the types who must completely explore every area, collect every single item, do all the side quests, unnamed side quests, main quests and repeatable quests. It is freakin' huge and completely awesome. I'll be picking up NV Tuesday, as well. Can't wait. Between that and bow season for deer starting in Alabama this past weekend, I'm in redneck/gamer heaven for a while!

The embargo timing for all reviews and impression pieces surrounding Fallout: New Vegas is set to lift day of its release on Tuesday, October 19th at 12:01am ET.

That sucks. Hopefully the late embargo time doesn't mean bad game. I doubt it but would love to read about it before release day.

That sucks. Hopefully the late embargo time doesn't mean bad game. I doubt it but would love to read about it before release day.That's not "late." That's completely standard. The exception are embargoes before release day.

I played through the X360 version of Fallout New Vegas on Hardcore mode, completing it in roughly 40 hours. Going into the game I set a goal to participate in a fair amount of side quests while mainly focusing on the main storyline so I could finish up by Monday. Although I did complete the game, I'm afraid I didn’t even get to do half of the side quests--this game feels big! Though it’s not apparent at first, it sinks in about 10 hours into the game how much stuff there is to do in the Vegas wasteland. Anyway I'm writing up a very detailed review but here is what it all boils down to for the curious (remember, this is a brief overview).
Let’s just get this out of the way--Fallout New Vegas is a really good game. I think it actually surpasses the original Fallout 3 (proper, not including the DLC) in terms of its writing and plot, but falls behind technically because of bugs and hitches (more on this later).

I know this may sounds odd to hear but for an open world game the layering of main quests and side quests is well placed. Its structure allows for a nice flow of gameplay and story, and seeing (participating) in it unravel is really enjoyable in all aspects of a game. The sidekicks are more interesting than Fallout 3s as they demonstrate more personality and side quests for you to participate in (at least mine did.)

Playing Hardcore mode I had braced myself for a very strict challenge in provision and health management, but I was shocked to find that I really only hit a consistent wall with inventory management--particularly because of the ammo (which I would promptly ditch since I had so much). Hardcore mode isn’t as crazy as I thought it would be, but it was a fun. I think it's a nice feature that made the overall experience more exciting and interesting. At one point in the game I had no water resources on me; I was completely dehydrated to the point where it had a negative physical effect on me and I was scrambling. I was rushing through dilapidated rooms of an old apartment looking for ANYTHING to drink, and running into one room I eventually found a sink. Despite the inevitable radiation affects I just gulped down a few bucks worth. Relieved I stepped back, flipped on my Pipboy flashlight to loot the room and was disgusted to find what I had done--drank out a goddamn toilet. It was awesome that Hardcore mode drove me to that ridiculous of a point. :)

A quick rundown--what else is cool?

Skill checks that effect dialog trees--or better yet, ones that have no effect--are now clearly marked with a red box. You can save your game at any point--even when enemies are nearby. Work Benches allow you to create cool stuff, like bombs and stimpacks, from all the junk in your backpack. The Reloading Bench allows you to create more powerful ammo that's great to switch to for tougher foes (but will wear down your weapon more quickly). Perks can be unlocked via in-game achievements, so for instance killing 75 bugs unlocks the Bug Stomper perk increasing damage. You can have one sidekick in your party along with Rex (the dog, who kind of weak). All Vegas table games are really well done (some of the best I've seen in a video game) and very fun to participate in.

The game, overall, has a warmer feel to it due to the blue skies, the soft electric glow of signs (electricity!), the amber UI and in some cases less destruction to the terrain. Weapons now have a DPS rating so it's much easier to see what your real damage output is.

The technical issues I experienced were pretty crazy. The game crashed several times on me forcing a restart (as in, rebooting the X360). One time the gambling interface completely disappeared on me and I was no longer able to play blackjack until I reloaded a previous save game. One time I picked some berries and the ground texture suddenly transformed into a gigantic blurry mess. Several times enemies got stuck in environmental pieces like walls or a rocks. Load times can, at times, reach ridiculous levels even when installed on the 360s HDD. The worst offender of it all was the degradation of the frame rate over time. Twice I had to clear the cache on my console, reboot it and then everything was fine for a while, but there were certain moments in the game where the hitching was bad despite this. If just feels like it could be a little more optimized technically.

Also I want to add a note that the cursing in the game got to a point where I was sort of winced. It’s not that I’m offended by foul language when it has its place, but there were times in New Vegas where it felt forced and unnecessary. Fallout 3, I felt, was able to get their point across without any cursing whatsoever. So fair warning to those sensitive about this stuff. I'm usually not bothered by this sort of thing and for whatever reason it was a bother in a few places.

Overall the game is great! It doesn’t feel like it could have been Fallout 3 DLC, but has its own place as a proper sequel. It's got new weapons, tons of interesting characters to chat with, a (seeming) million places to visit and an interesting plot. There are some truly epic moments in the game that everyone open-world gamer should experience. The factions add an exciting effect to your place in the world, and at the very least add another interesting dimension to it all. Listen, if you loved Fallout 3 then you will love Fallout New Vegas--possible more so if you can get through the glitches.

IGN UK review (noticed from the XBOX forum).

http://xbox360.ign.com/articles/112/1128811p1.html

James

I played through the X360 version of Fallout New Vegas on Hardcore mode, completing it in roughly 40 hours. Going into the game I set a goal to participate in a fair amount of side quests while mainly focusing on the main storyline so I could finish up by Monday. Although I did complete the game, I'm afraid I didn’t even get to do half of the side quests--this game feels big! Though it’s not apparent at first, it sinks in about 10 hours into the game how much stuff there is to do in the Vegas wasteland. Anyway I'm writing up a very detailed review but here is what it all boils down to for the curious (remember, this is a brief overview).
Let’s just get this out of the way--Fallout New Vegas is a really good game. I think it actually surpasses the original Fallout 3 (proper, not including the DLC) in terms of its writing and plot, but falls behind technically because of bugs and hitches (more on this later).

I know this may sounds odd to hear but for an open world game the layering of main quests and side quests is well placed. Its structure allows for a nice flow of gameplay and story, and seeing (participating) in it unravel is really enjoyable in all aspects of a game. The sidekicks are more interesting than Fallout 3s as they demonstrate more personality and side quests for you to participate in (at least mine did.)

Playing Hardcore mode I had braced myself for a very strict challenge in provision and health management, but I was shocked to find that I really only hit a consistent wall with inventory management--particularly because of the ammo (which I would promptly ditch since I had so much). Hardcore mode isn’t as crazy as I thought it would be, but it was a fun. I think it's a nice feature that made the overall experience more exciting and interesting. At one point in the game I had no water resources on me; I was completely dehydrated to the point where it had a negative physical effect on me and I was scrambling. I was rushing through dilapidated rooms of an old apartment looking for ANYTHING to drink, and running into one room I eventually found a sink. Despite the inevitable radiation affects I just gulped down a few bucks worth. Relieved I stepped back, flipped on my Pipboy flashlight to loot the room and was disguised to find what I had done--drank out a goddamn toilet. It was awesome that Hardcore mode drove me to that ridiculous of a point. :)

A quick rundown--what else is cool?

Skill checks that effect dialog trees--or better yet, ones that have no effect--are now clearly marked with a red box. You can save your game at any point--even when enemies are nearby. Work Benches allow you to create cool stuff, like bombs and stimpacks, from all the junk in your backpack. The Reloading Bench allows you to create more powerful ammo that's great to switch to for tougher foes (but will wear down your weapon more quickly). Perks can be unlocked via in-game achievements, so for instance killing 75 bugs unlocks the Bug Stomper perk increasing damage. You can have one sidekick in your party along with Rex (the dog, who kind of weak). All Vegas table games are really well done (some of the best I've seen in a video game) and very fun to participate in.

The game, overall, has a warmer feel to it due to the blue skies, the soft electric glow of signs (electricity!), the amber UI and in some cases less destruction to the terrain. Weapons now have a DPS rating so it's much easier to see what your real damage output is.

The technical issues I experienced were pretty crazy. The game crashed several times on me forcing a restart (as in, rebooting the X360). One time the gambling interface completely disappeared on me and I was no longer able to play blackjack until I reloaded a previous save game. One time I picked some berries and the ground texture suddenly transformed into a gigantic blurry mess. Several times enemies got stuck in environmental pieces like walls or a rocks. Load times can, at times, reach ridiculous levels even when installed on the 360s HDD. The worst offender of it all was the degradation of the frame rate over time. Twice I had to clear the cache on my console, reboot it and then everything was fine for a while, but there were certain moments in the game where the hitching was bad despite this. If just feels like it could be a little more optimized technically.

Also I want to add a note that the cursing in the game got to a point where I was sort of winced. It’s not that I’m offended by foul language when it has its place, but there were times in New Vegas where it felt forced and unnecessary. Fallout 3, I felt, was able to get their point across without any cursing whatsoever. So fair warning to those sensitive about this stuff. I'm usually not bothered by this sort of thing and for whatever reason it was a bother in a few places.

Overall the game is great! It doesn’t feel like it could have been Fallout 3 DLC, but has its own place as a proper sequel. It's got new weapons, tons of interesting characters to chat with, a (seeming) million places to visit and an interesting plot. There are some truly epic moments in the game that everyone open-world gamer should experience. The factions add an exciting effect to your place in the world, and at the very least add another interesting dimension to it all. Listen, if you loved Fallout 3 then you will love Fallout New Vegas--possible more so if you can get through the glitches.

Sounds like i was spot on w/ picking up Fallout 3: GOTY. Since I haven't played before, I get a solid game that is patched, includes expansions, and gives me something to do while they get all this tech nonsense straightened out. :)

IGN UK review (noticed from the XBOX forum).

http://xbox360.ign.com/articles/112/1128811p1.html

James

Can you post the text?

Can you post the text?

spoiler'd more for space than actual spoilers, but as with anything, read with caution if you REALLY care



Fallout: New Vegas' similarities to Fallout 3 are obvious. The setting is different, but the aesthetic is the same – crumbling buildings, settlements comprised of shacks, unending waves of dusty, tortured wasteland dotted with ruins from a happier past. The combat is the same, with the same divisive VATS system that lets you target limbs or gun arms to cripple an enemy's ability to fight back. You still rely on your PIP-boy, a Filofax for the post-apocalyptic future, to organise the weapons, armour, quests, information and salvage that you can scavenge from your hopeless surroundings.

You'll forgive me, then, for focussing on the things that are different. Because in some respects Fallout: New Vegas is a very different game from Fallout 3, and that's largely because it's better written. It understands that sometimes you must do awful things for a greater cause, or choose the best of two bad options. It offers you decisions all the time, but it rarely forces you to make any. It understands that morality is ambiguous, and subjective, and that games shoving obvious choices in your face undermines their emotional maturity. It knows that sometimes there is no right choice.

It often fools you in this regard. The game's central conflict between the people's militia, the New California Republic, and the slave-driven empire of Caesar's Legion seems like a black-and-white decision between well-meaning lawmakers and murderous, barbaric fiends, but neither of them is a force for good, and over the forty or fifty hours you can easily spend with the game you'll see the worst side of both of them. Similarly, the families vying for control of the the Mojave Wasteland's glittering, neon-lit New Vegas are all as bad as each other. Fallout: New Vegas' focus on factions is less facetious than it first appears; it's never just a matter of siding with one at the expense of another.

The Mojave Wasteland, a post-apocalyptic Nevada, is a better setting than the Capital Wasteland. It's smaller, but there's no less to do, making uneventful treks across barren scenery a thing of the past. It draws you out all over the place, pointing you in four directions at once, never telling you to explore but rewarding you greatly when you take the risk. The complete absence of a mutant-infested subway makes it easier to get by without guns and handle situations the way you want to.

When you eventually get to the New Vegas Strip, you realise that the rest of the wasteland so far has been foreplay. Your Luck stat suddenly becomes very important, especially if you get drawn into the city's sinful culture. New Vegas, like Fallout 2's New Reno, is at once fascinating and hugely depressing, a centre of tawdry entertainment for miserable, damaged, bored people run by malicious, manipulative powers. It's the embodiment of Fallout's nihilism, a cheap, neon shadow of former glory that's nonetheless the most attractive thing in a irreparably devastated world.

Fallout: New Vegas has strong, clever dialogue as well as good writing and quest design. Characters are duplicitous, foul-mouthed, desperate, broken, suave, or all of the above. The voice acting is much better, too, which really helps carry the game's hundreds of interlocking stories. It's a serious game, overall, with moments that are genuinely sobering, but there's also a wicked undercurrent of black humour; in the face of such desolation, the Wasteland's inhabitants have developed an amusingly cynical worldview. Fallout's uncompromising violence, too, is double-edged; seeing crucified Caesar's Legion victims dying in agony isn't funny in any way, but watching a raider's head explode really is.

This isn't all Obsidian's work, obviously. Fallout: New Vegas and Fallout 3 share a talent for subtle scene-setting that Bethesda first mastered in Oblivion. Much of the wasteland's detail and narrative texture is in the background, in places that you're never told to go looking; written down in computer logs in abandoned buildings that have nothing to do with quests, strewn in a bloody mess at the roadside, hidden away in journals and lockboxes and side-rooms.

The Mojave Wasteland is so believable because it's an incomplete puzzle. So often you'll push open a door to a new location somewhere out in the wastes, unprompted by mission markers, and know only that something terrible happened there. Bethesda knows how to build a game world that works, and Obsidian knows how to write quests and dialogue that aren't bland. They're a perfect fit.

Like Fallout 3, New Vegas can feel inaccessible. This is a role-playing game in the classic sense; you have to play to your character's strengths. Becoming a nuke-launcher-wielding hard-ass with a Strength stat of 4 is impossible; equally, you'll never see all the dialogue options without high Charisma, and getting the most of the wasteland's technology needs high Intelligence. You'll close off options to yourself right from the first decisions you make about your character, but you'll also be forced into playing in non-conventional ways, and discovering the sheer breadth of options that New Vegas offers you – particularly in Hardcore Mode.

Playing Fallout: New Vegas in hardcore mode is a revolution. You become a true wastelander, collapsing onto whatever roadside mattress you can find to stave off sleep deprivation, lapping dirty water from toilet bowls to hydrate yourself, going through every bin and abandoned building you can find for morsels of irradiated food and dying almost every time you venture off the beaten path. Skills that otherwise lurk at the bottom of your priorities, like Unarmed and Survival, become absolutely essential. Perks that you'd otherwise skip over become lifesavers.

It doesn't just make things harder – it's not a wasteland Hard mode that artificially gives mangy raiders thousands of hit points. It changes the whole way you play the game, completely altering your worldview. Ammunition has weight, so there's more of a reason to explore Fallout: New Vegas' vastly improved melee weapons. Instead of obsessing over your next quest goal, you're scouring the horizon for buildings that might have water, or a settlement that might have a doctor to heal your crippled limbs.

Because Fallout: New Vegas' most important improvement upon Fallout 3 is the writing and quest design, it's impossible to wax lyrical about them without spoiling it, or to pick out particularly affecting characters and situations for fear of influencing how you might react to them. Like 3 and Oblivion before it, New Vegas is a game to share stories about, one that lets you carve your own path through a beautifully constructed world. If you felt that there was just something missing from Fallout 3 – some indefinable quality of soul – you may well find New Vegas especially satisfying.

Closing Comments
Fallout: New Vegas is the game that many wanted Fallout 3 to be. It's harder, more ruthless, better written and more morally ambiguous. It's a game we’ve been wanting to play for more than a decade, a real modern re-imagining of the Fallout series, complete with that deliciously black humour. But it's also more of the same, aesthetically and technically identical to Fallout 3, wonky facial animation and all. The ever-so-slightly ageing technology only marginally detracts from what is otherwise an expansive, fulfilling and ambitious game, unmatched in scope and maturity. If Obsidian were to make another Fallout game, we certainly wouldn't say no.



IGN UK Ratings for Fallout: New Vegas (X360)

9.0 Presentation
Fallout's juxtaposition of cheerful retro-futurism and unending decay has always been inspired.

8.0 Graphics
Only character models and facial animation, which are still wooden and unbelievable, detract from the majestic desolation of the wasteland.

8.0 Sound
The limited music and sound effects have a Western, cowboy flavour, but ultimately the wasteland is a silent and desolate place. The voice-acting, happily, is much improved.

9.0 Gameplay
If there was a 'Script' score in this summary, it would be a 10,

9.0 Lasting Appeal
New Vegas is a huge game, and you'll want to explore every last inch of it.

OVERALL:

9.0 Outstanding

(Scores are # out of 10)

i'm really looking forward to this one.

Formula,

Thanks for getting that in there.

James

Just an FYI that Newegg has a $10 off promo code good until 10/25/10.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16874122010&cm_re=fallout_new_vegas-_-74-122-010-_-Product

Save $10 w/ promo code EMCZYZX79

Just picked it up at Toys'r'us with a $10 Giftcard and free prima strategy guide.

I was surprised to see button mapping in the options menu. I don't recall Fallout 3 featuring that, but then again I never really looked. There are a few added options as well, and the one I fell in love with instantly was the ability to turn off the cinematic camera for VATS kills. Cool at first, but after a while I just wanted to get to where I was going.

Also, I much prefer the green UI instead of the amber. That's the first the I changed. Amber just doesn't look right to my brain I suppose.

There was button mapping in Fallout 3. I think I swapped the default jump button, iirc when I played it. I like that there is an option to turn off the cinematic VATS camera. It's cool at first but yeah, I'm there with you on that one.

Picked this up today, as well. Only about 2 hours in, but so far, so good. If you liked FO3, this is a no brainer. Get it.

I enjoyed Fallout 3 but am sitting this one out. My RPG jones will be tended to by Mass Effect 2 and Fable III this year ;)

Can you continue playing after completing the main story?

WARCROW
I originally bought FO3 on the PS3 and loved it... right until the DLC came out as an XBOX360 exclusive. Needless to say I bought a 360 Elite and FO3 the day after the first DLC released. One thing I can say is that in my first two playthroughs on the PS3, I NEVER had any glitches, bugginess, etc; however, on the 360, I've played through twice more with all the DLC and if I were to wager a guess, I'd say that I've had to reboot roughly every ten hours or so, and noticed numerous glitches and buggy behaviour and creatures spawned in the ground or spawned high in the air falling to the ground, or just flying along like they've been catapulted (the yao guai traveling at mach 1 at 50' had me laughing so hard I had to stop playing for a few minutes). I even got caught on a box after making my way back out after clearing out the deathclaw sanctuary for a skillbook... I also had to put the controller down after that one. Regardless, I bought FONV for the 360 today because of the announced DLC exclusivity. I am not a fanboy here, and doubt I would buy any Sony product other than a PS3 (don't ask but Toshiba falls into the same category), but after comparing the two literally head to head, I would like to see you play the game through on the PS3 and see if you have the same issues.

but after comparing the two literally head to head, I would like to see you play the game through on the PS3 and see if you have the same issues.

Oddly enough, i had the opposite experience. I purchased FO3 for the 360, and played it through with the DLC without any issues.

My Son purchased it for the ps3 to play at his mothers house, and had all sorts of glitches freezes and problems..

I've had minor glitches. Such as radscorpions traveling on a hill consistently are "halfway" in the grounded....literally (I have trouble shooting them from 2 feet away when they are like this....they "flux" in and out).

I've also had issues myself when "scaling" the landscape. A few times I have been near an edge and it will "shove" me off. Almost like someone pushed me.

Further, probably a game rule and not a glitch, I hate it how I can scale the mountain to the top and it physically will restrict me. Such as going from Sloan to the Quarry, I was able to get to the top and even see the Quarry. It was flat. I could have walked, but alas, that invisible barrier restricted me. If this game is so open ended, why force me to go through deathclaws bedroom if I can find a better way around.

Beyond that, the game has been great.

I've seen a few minor glitches too. But they haven't been too bad; I played well past when I intended to, losing complete track of time, just like in FO3.

I'm enjoying hardcore mode, but one of my character's traits makes me susceptible to limb crippling. Since that requires a doctor (or bag) to fix, and I'm a lowly level 3, I'm terrified to wander too far from the road. I've already had 3 concussions. And I use more stimpacks than I did in FO3 (where I could just sleep anything off).

Hunger, sleep, and thirst management is a nice touch. I wish I could fill empty bottles at known good sources of fresh water to carry with me.

I'm enjoying hardcore mode, but one of my character's traits makes me susceptible to limb crippling. Since that requires a doctor (or bag) to fix, and I'm a lowly level 3, I'm terrified to wander too far from the road. I've already had 3 concussions. And I use more stimpacks than I did in FO3 (where I could just sleep anything off).

I picked the same trait, probably not the greatest idea:o
I'm dealing with crippled limbs constantly, and am forced (early on, 6 hours in) to fast travel back to Goodspring and the doc, because 3 different body parts are crippled (including my head, which causes constant dazing). I was hoping to avoid fast traveling, during the first play through.


as for glitchiness, has a preload button combo been announced yet? I know that for FO3, the combo is LB+RB+X and has always helped clean up the choppy/lagginess of FO3.

WARCROW
I originally bought FO3 on the PS3 and loved it... right until the DLC came out as an XBOX360 exclusive. Needless to say I bought a 360 Elite and FO3 the day after the first DLC released. One thing I can say is that in my first two playthroughs on the PS3, I NEVER had any glitches, bugginess, etc; however, on the 360, I've played through twice more with all the DLC and if I were to wager a guess, I'd say that I've had to reboot roughly every ten hours.

Regardless, I bought FONV for the 360 today because of the announced DLC exclusivity. I am not a fanboy here, but after comparing the two literally head to head, I would like to see you play the game through on the PS3 and see if you have the same issues.

I don't have a PS3 copy. I have X360 and PC SKUs here, sorry. I would say the game is a buggy mess on all platforms--some more than others yes--but either way we're all waiting for a patch of sorts. Still, I managed to play over 40 hour of FNV on the 360 and though I ran into issues it was all recoverable.

What I would suggest is to just keep 3 manual saves (in addition to the autosaves) and rotate those with a manual save every 15 minutes. It's what I did and it saved my ass a few times.

For maintenance I had to clear my cache twice and reboot the 360 a few times. This is something you can do whenever it feels appropriate.

I know these are a pain to deal with and, frankly, should have to be done--but it's worth it. If you enjoyed F3 then you're going to enjoy FNV as well. It's an awesome game. :)



Further, probably a game rule and not a glitch, I hate it how I can scale the mountain to the top and it physically will restrict me. Such as going from Sloan to the Quarry, I was able to get to the top and even see the Quarry. It was flat. I could have walked, but alas, that invisible barrier restricted me. If this game is so open ended, why force me to go through deathclaws bedroom if I can find a better way around.

Beyond that, the game has been great.

I definitely had a few WTF moments when I was trying to scale a rock or ledge to access an area. Invisible walls are pretty much inexcusable these days. Build up real (virtual) world walls, make the rocks higher--whatever--but dont give me the impression that I can scale something that's not accessible.


I'm enjoying hardcore mode, but one of my character's traits makes me susceptible to limb crippling. Since that requires a doctor (or bag) to fix, and I'm a lowly level 3, I'm terrified to wander too far from the road. I've already had 3 concussions. And I use more stimpacks than I did in FO3 (where I could just sleep anything off).

Hunger, sleep, and thirst management is a nice touch. I wish I could fill empty bottles at known good sources of fresh water to carry with me.

The secret to surviving Hardcore is remembering the location of doctors and keeping a steady supply of Doctor Bags in your pack. Always fast travel to the doc for repairs first before using a doctor bag. You're going to want to keep about 10 on you at all times (they weight 1lb apeice to I wouldnt recommend going beyond that) for those indoor quests where fast traveling isnt possible.

Filling empty bottles with water was a thought I often entertained too. :)

Is there a friggin' house anywhere in this game? I've got some good loot I want to hold on to for later, and it's too heavy to keep carrying around.

Is there a friggin' house anywhere in this game? I've got some good loot I want to hold on to for later, and it's too heavy to keep carrying around.

I use Victor's house in GoodSpring. I just shove everything into the table. He never sleeps and is never in there.

That is the only place I could reliably find so far.:mad:

did this happen to anybody else...

I went from lvl1 -> lvl2 - picked Swift Learner
I went from lvl2 -> lvl3 - and after using the points, it skipped right past perk selection
I went from lvl3 -> lvl4 - able to pick a perk again

that's as far as I leveled up last night. is perk selection every other level now? or was this some sorta glitch?

I've been getting PMs, IMs and tweets asking various questions about the game and strategies, so I've decided to create a bit of a protips post! I'm going to put them all in one pro-place so all the tips can be protips for everyone who wants to be pro!

PS - I'm not a pro--and I certainly dont know everyhting about the game--but I'll do my best to share some of the knowledge I've aquired through my experience with the game.


Saving
Don't reply on the autosave system. Create at least 6 manual save slots and rotate them every 10-15 minutes. This will save your ass, and not necessarily because of bugs either, in the future. It's a good practice that doesn't take up very much time and can save you a mountain of frustration later in the game. I speak from experience.


X360 Performance
If you're experiencing hitching/stuttering/extensive load times then clear the cache on your HDD and reboot the system. This helped me out in most cases where I experienced performance issues. It's a bit of a pain to deal with, and frankly shouldn't have to be done, but FNV is an excellent game making this all worthwhile. :)


Invisible Walls
There are some places (not located at the edge of the game world) that have invisible walks restricting access. In my experience they tend to be located around rocks and ledges to prevent jumping/slipping around areas to gain early or unwanted access. It's annoying. So fair warning there are areas that might look accessible via shortcut but, in actuality, are not.


Hardcore mode & Health
When you experience a limb injury you have two options in HC mode--see a doc or use a Doctors Bag. Here's the best practice I found.

Remember the locations of all the doctors you meet (there isn't a lot out there so it's no real feat) and fast travel to them before using the doctors bag. Fast travel is possible in HC mode when you have a limb injury. :) Doctor Bags should be reserved only for missions where you cannot fast travel, like missions located indoors like caves or bunkers. I would recommend keeping a stock of about 10 Doctor Bags in your pack at all times. At 1lb apiece they do add up.


Empty bottles
Though I wish it were a feature (especially in HC mode) you cannot--at least in my experience--fill empty bottles with water.


Food
be careful, some food and drinks (sodas) actually increase your thirst levels. This can bit you in the ass in the most inappropriate times.


Leveling
The level cap is set to 30


Companions
You can have a total of Rex (the dog) + 1 companion in your party. Try not to lose track if them. If they manage to disappear then "wait" in the location you last saw them for a few days and they should find their way to you. In HC mode this will require a LOT if food and water so heads up! Also try visiting their homebase (where you met them) to see if they snapped there.


Health
There are warnings, located right above the compass, alerting you when you reach critical levels for food, water, sleep & limb damage. All negative (& positive) effects ate located on your Pipboy under Stats> Status> EFF.


Housing
At the risk of spoiling I'm going to answer this one in public: Yes there is a house, or suite rather, that you aquire in the game that is similar to the Ten Penny suite in Fallout 3. Yes there are upgrades you can purchase for it too.

Housing
At the risk of spoiling I'm going to answer this one in public: Yes there is a house, or suite rather, that you aquire in the game that is similar to the Ten Penny suite in Fallout 3. Yes there are upgrades you can purchase for it too.
Hrm. That implies it might be a little while before I get it, and I'm dancing around full load already.

What's the deal with the mailboxes again? There was a box at the general store in Goodspring that had a popup, but I can't recall the specifics. I remember seeing what looked like a USPS dropbox in Primm; can I drop stuff there to send it back to Goodspring for safe pickup later? Is that how that works?

Hrm. That implies it might be a little while before I get it, and I'm dancing around full load already.

What's the deal with the mailboxes again? There was a box at the general store in Goodspring that had a popup, but I can't recall the specifics. I remember seeing what looked like a USPS dropbox in Primm; can I drop stuff there to send it back to Goodspring for safe pickup later? Is that how that works?yes, I grabbed every single PreWar Book I could find (not sure if they are valuable in FONV like in FO3, but I will figure that out on my own - no spoilers!), and by the time I got to Primm, I was (still am) really loaded with gear. so I took every PreWar Book I had and sent them to GS, and they were there when I went back.

You guys are really making me want to play this game. I got it yesterday from Amazon, but I want to finish Assassin's Creed II before I head to Italy next month. I'm not even halfway through that game yet. Not to mention that I barely began Red Dead and have that waiting, but I think I will have to make the trip to New Vegas after AC2. Too many good games in my backlog.

did this happen to anybody else...

I went from lvl1 -> lvl2 - picked Swift Learner
I went from lvl2 -> lvl3 - and after using the points, it skipped right past perk selection
I went from lvl3 -> lvl4 - able to pick a perk again

that's as far as I leveled up last night. is perk selection every other level now? or was this some sorta glitch?
You get perks every other level up in this one. swift learner is the best to pick early on.

You get perks every other level up in this one. swift learner is the best to pick early on.thanks for the reply

d'oh, the best part about leveling up, is getting a new perk:cool:

Thanks for the insight folks. As an avid FO3 player I'm looking forward to this. But I won't play an obviously buggy and rushed product. I'll be sitting this one out until it's patched and proven as ready for action.

I'm sorry, but I'm under the impression that the "bugs" are not really deal breakers. I mean, aren't they basically some of the same things that I would deal with on FO3 today (freezing, jutter/lag, stuck in the ground scorpions etc)? wouldn't this also mean that there will be no patch forthcoming for said "bugs"??

I was playing FO3 in prep for FONV this past weekend, and it froze on me. I just took it to mean that it was break time, because I was having way too much fun (2 years after first playing) to stop on my own:cool:

I never expect thing to work flawlessly, in such large scope games. now strictly linear games are another story.

not getting a game because a dog walks backwards, or some NPC seems to get stuck somewhere, just seems like you are looking for an excuse to miss out on it.

Yea.. I agree that the bugs don't seem to be deal breakers. I read a couple reviews where the bugs were in the "cons" section.. but don't almost all reviews have that?

Then I wen't to the gamespot forums and the general consensus was that installing to the hdd eliminated most of the issues except the obvious design flaws.

I have also read overwealming amounts of feedback suggesting that the game is amazing even with an occasional hiccup or anomolie.

I'm going to try and get started tonight on my NV journey!

:D

Want to hear something sad? I'm on vacation in Orlando right now and all I can think about is going home on Friday to play Fallout New Vegas. Isn't that horrible?

I use Victor's house in GoodSpring. I just shove everything into the table. He never sleeps and is never in there.

That is the only place I could reliably find so far.:mad:

At least someone else does this:D I figured what the heck would he need the stuff for and I do not think anyone will go past him to get it.

James

(My previous statements notwithstanding) The general bugginess is no reason not to play this game. I spent the last month playing FO3 in prep, and just kept playing through the bugs. People also use the (relatively) lackluster graphics as an excuse to put down an otherwise great game. From the Legend of Zelda series to Deus Ex to GTA3 to FO3 and NV, all of these had some things in common: killer game play, great replayability and graphics that lagged behind other great looking turds that were/are their contemporaries. For my money, give me a fun 40+ hour game with 3-4 star graphics and a few bugs and tons of replayability over a half-assed offering that looks great and takes 7 hours. FONV fits the bill like few others. I reckon I'll play this game until FO4 comes out. When does the next Deus Ex game come out?

The first patch was just released for the PC version and 360/PS3 editions of the patch are on the way. Given certification, it should still be a couple days at least.

Hi Gang

I'm early on into the game. I'm doing that quest where I'm supposed to find a sherif for the town and get sent off to the NCR Correctional Facility.

I don't know to tag a spoiler so have wrapped the text in white:o.

[I goto the NCR CF but the guard at the entrance demands 100 caps which I don't have....I can't 'sweet-talk' him either.
For the heck of it, I pulled up the VATS and killed him right there, stole the key and broke in.....had to do a bloodbath inside till I got to Meyers and he cooperated. But when I came outside, everybody is trying to take me out so I stopped playing (hit my 4th hour so had enough for a night:D)....is there any other way to break into the CF without having to bribe the guard? ]

I agree that the bugs are no reason to disregard this game. Theres so much going on! Only thing that bugs (pun inteded) me at this early point is the floatiness of the characters when they walk and how your character brings up his pistol. The enviroments are AWESOME too

Fragster there are other sheriffs you can try and get, if you can't find and sell crap to get the 100 caps, i would go another way

Hi Gang

I'm early on into the game. I'm doing that quest where I'm supposed to find a sherif for the town and get sent off to the NCR Correctional Facility.

I don't know to tag a spoiler so have wrapped the text in white:o.

[I goto the NCR CF but the guard at the entrance demands 100 caps which I don't have....I can't 'sweet-talk' him either.
For the heck of it, I pulled up the VATS and killed him right there, stole the key and broke in.....had to do a bloodbath inside till I got to Meyers and he cooperated. But when I came outside, everybody is trying to take me out so I stopped playing (hit my 4th hour so had enough for a night:D)....is there any other way to break into the CF without having to bribe the guard? ]


To use spoilers tags just wrap your text in [ spoiler] [ /spoiler] without the spaces.

I agree that the bugs are no reason to disregard this game. Theres so much going on! Only thing that bugs (pun inteded) me at this early point is the floatiness of the characters when they walk and how your character brings up his pistol. The enviroments are AWESOME too

Yea... i kinda chuckled when Cheyene (Sunny's dog) started moonwalking and did a couple 360's. :D

Great game so far.. I'm just putting around and looking at everything.

Damn I really want to play this game since I loved FO3, but I've just started playing Oblivion.

I've had it for a while but put off playing it and just started a new game recently and don't think I'll be able balance both at once! :)

Damn I really want to play this game since I loved FO3, but I've just started playing Oblivion.


that's funny because I have yet to play Oblivion also.. and damn near did the same thing.. but then watched the NewVegas trailer.. :eek:

Won 5000 caps last night playing blackjack at the Atomic Wrangler Casino.

Has anyone else noticed the billboard next to the police station right outside of Primm? If not, try and take a look. I found it very funny.

I think the station is on highway 15 heading up to where that big statue of the two people is located.

James

Has anyone else noticed the billboard next to the police station right outside of Primm? If not, try and take a look. I found it very funny.

I think the station is on highway 15 heading up to where that big statue of the two people is located.

James
That's a State Highway Patrol building, and it is on I15.

BTW, this is pretty location-accurate. I was poking around on Wikipedia and Google Maps, and Primm does exist, and does have a giant casino with a roller coaster (tho it's name is "Buffalo Bob's" I think, not "Bison Steve's"). The NCR outpost at the mountain pass is actually in California, not Nevada. Don't know if the NSHP outpost is actually there, but the dry lake bed just south of Primm is really there.

Also, Goodsprings really exists, and the little bar there also really exists. They even modeled the facade accurately. :)

I love that they care enough to get these details right, even if I've never actually been to most of these locations in real life.

One thing I am seeing that is starting to drive me crazy is that my “weight” limit keeps changing. It should be at 220 pounds but it keeps randomly dropping back to 200. Than a little while later it is back to 220.

Foosinho,

Thanks for the better information on where that billboard is. I was just going by it again and find it very funny.

James

Exojam
Are we going to have to have a Buffout intervention for you?

One thing I am seeing that is starting to drive me crazy is that my “weight” limit keeps changing. It should be at 220 pounds but it keeps randomly dropping back to 200. Than a little while later it is back to 220.


Are you playing in Hardcore mode? H2O, food and SLP levels effect your endurace and strength.

Want to hear something sad? I'm on vacation in Orlando right now and all I can think about is going home on Friday to play Fallout New Vegas. Isn't that horrible?

I've had that experience. Couldn't wait to get home to finish up Red Dead Redemption in my case.

I'm upset that I had FONV shipped to my work address. Now I find out it is supposed to arrive tomorrow. And I'm not working tomorrow. Might just drive downtown to pick it up though...

Are you playing in Hardcore mode? H2O, food and SLP levels effect your endurace and strength.

Warcrow,

I am playing it in that mode. I just do not see how the weight limit I am set for would change on the fly. As an example, last night I was in a house and my weight limit was 220, I kill a couple of those Roman dogs things and when I walk over to take what I can from them, all of a sudden my weight limit goes to 200 or 210. It is always moving around! The only thing was a little high was my radiation. My food, sleep and water levels were all fine. I think it is some type of bug.

The other thing I saw last night was that when I go over my weight limit, say by two pounds. The game tells me that message where I am over loaded or whatever it says. I then either drop something or eat-drink something to get under the limit. Even after this, I am still stuck in that slow motion mode where I can barely walk. It’s like it does not register that I am now under the limit.

James

Are you playing in Hardcore mode? H2O, food and SLP levels effect your endurace and strength.also RAD levels

Just started playing last night. It plays almost exactly like Fallout 3 so far, which to me, is simply fantastic. I'm looking forward to digging deeper into the game.

360 title update is live.

Wanted to let you guys know that Obsidian and Bethesda are continuing to work to address issues reported with Fallout: New Vegas. Overnight, a new game update went up on Xbox 360, resolving a number of quest and scripting issues — similar to the update we reported on Wednesday for PC players. To get the update, players will want to make sure their Xbox 360 is connected online.

Source: Bethesda Blog (http://bethblog.com/index.php/2010/10/22/an-update-on-updates/).

Thank God for the patch. Ran into my first bug last nite. Freed that sherif dood from the prison grounds and he went outside. I had the marker on my map but never found him in that spot...ever. Reloaded the game again, went thru another bloodbath, freed him and then he 'appeared' in the same spot when I came out. Frustrating.

And that walk from Prim to Nixon (sp??) has to be the longest freaking walk ever (didn't discover any close proximity towns yet). Add random shootouts, bugs, ghouls to fight on the way and you have one hell of a journey.

But can't put this game down though....its weird...I've been clocking in more hours per session that I ever did with MWII (and I played the shizzle out of MWII). Guess the story mode helps the 'cause'.

Screw the reviews...if you loved Oblivion, Fallout, get this. You won't be disappointed.

I played for a while this morning after the update, now when I try to fast travel or go into a building the screen turns turns black and locks up. Anyone else having this issue?
I did not have this problem last night.

360 title update is live.



Source: Bethesda Blog (http://bethblog.com/index.php/2010/10/22/an-update-on-updates/).

Too bad I have never connected my 360 to the net and will not be.

If you give a companion a faction outfit, will it cause people to attack you?

Sirjohn,

I wish I could answer that but I have yet to run across any companions. When did you run across one?

James

Sirjohn,

I wish I could answer that but I have yet to run across any companions. When did you run across one? using spoiler tags
James
^

As Alpha says.

The funny thing with the spoiler tags is that when I get an e-mail notifying me the thread was updated, everything is in the e-mail. Not really reading through it, I then go to the thread and see all the text (from the e-mail) was tagged with spoilers.

James

Sirjohn,

I wish I could answer that but I have yet to run across any companions. When did you run across one?

James

In Novac (where the T-Rex is) you can get Boone to join you after finishing his quest, if your Int or Speech is high enough

I never used any in Fallout 3, other than the little you had to with the mutant.

Thanks.

James

I never used any in Fallout 3, other than the little you had to with the mutant.

Thanks for the spoiler...I just reached Novac last nite and stopped the game right there. Looking forward to my first companion :D.

Also, people kept asking me if I've been to the top of the dino...I walked all around it but it's fenced.

Is there a way to actually 'ride' the dino?

Thanks again.

PS: Really tempted to get the guide as I feel half the time, my exploration is not enough to reveal the good stuff.

Sirjohn,

I wish I could answer that but I have yet to run across any companions. When did you run across one?

James
ED-E - the eyebot - is in Primm, in Nash's house. You have to repair him first.

Thanks for the spoiler...I just reached Novac last nite and stopped the game right there. Looking forward to my first companion :D.

Also, people kept asking me if I've been to the top of the dino...I walked all around it but it's fenced.

Is there a way to actually 'ride' the dino?

Thanks again.

PS: Really tempted to get the guide as I feel half the time, my exploration is not enough to reveal the good stuff.

Since it's not really a spoiler - the gate into the courtyard of that motel is open, from there you can go into the gift shop in the dino and through the gift shop you can go up into the mouth.

What's the level cap?

My understanding is 30.

James

One thing I am finding funny is that I all ready have the NCR after me. I am now down to two days before they “really” come down on me. I have no idea how to get them off my back as of yet so we may be having a little show down.

James

One thing I am finding funny is that I all ready have the NCR after me. I am now down to two days before they “really” come down on me. I have no idea how to get them off my back as of yet so we may be having a little show down.

James

Why'd you go and attack NCR troops? Or were you wearing a gang's armor? NCR won't attack you on their own.

You have to get on their good side. I know factions won't attack you if you're wearing their clothes - if you put on NCR armor does it popup a message saying you're disguised or dressed as NCR? If so, you should be able to talk to some NCR and do a few missions to improve your rep with them.

Be careful though, guards and some others can see through a disguise and attack you if your rep with their group is bad.

A couple places to do NCR missions: Of course their HQ at the airport, but the guards might spot you, I'm not sure. Between 188 and that HQ there's a standoff between some NCR and Khans; I think your rep with both groups improves if resolve the situation

They just got caught in the crossfire.

I just went through a misssion that I think helped out a little but now another group is PO'ed with me:D

James

Here is a glitch to get a ton of energy weapons and ammo at Silver Rush before you get to the strip. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nK4rb9XlBQ8

I think the hardbound guide could be really nice, but then half the fun of the game is discovering new things and having surprises. I'm torn between the things I want to know so I don't miss anything or do the wrong thing, and keeping everything fresh and unspoiled.

I only use the guide if I get stuck in a side quest or such. The first play-through I try to explore it on my own.

Had to clear my cache a few minutes ago because when picking locks the terminal hack screen was on top of the animation.

The only other glitch I've had was getting stuck in a girder in the Lucky 38 main room.

Is there a Vegas-specific cache-clear code like in Fallout 3 and Oblivion, or did you just clear the 360's cache?

Is there a Vegas-specific cache-clear code like in Fallout 3 and Oblivion, or did you just clear the 360's cache?

I did it through the regular menu options.

I'm only L12 and already in the last leg of the main quest (already got the chip from Caesar). I did some minor side quests here and there and even without heavily armoured nor armed, but managed to survive so far. I do fast travel a lot to Novac (free own bed) and utilize the 'doc' for limb damage.

Guess the main quest for NV is shorter than the original FO (IMO or it feels that way to me) as that took me a good 2 weeks to finish the main quest.

Hence I'm off-tracking now so I can pick up the powered armour/weapons before finishing off the game.

90% of the time, I found the hunting rifle with the acope add-on was more than ample for most jobs. For Melee, I've been using the rebar and the ripper.

Guess the main quest for NV is shorter than the original FO (IMO or it feels that way to me) as that took me a good 2 weeks to finish the main quest.

I've read some people say NV is like another F3 expansion. Is it because it is that much shorter with less content than the base game, or are they comparable in length but NV is just identical in interface/mechanics?

I've read some people say NV is like another F3 expansion. Is it because it is that much shorter with less content than the base game, or are they comparable in length but NV is just identical in interface/mechanics?
I can't speak for how much content there is, but I think it's because the game mechanics are identical.

I've read some people say NV is like another F3 expansion. Is it because it is that much shorter with less content than the base game, or are they comparable in length but NV is just identical in interface/mechanics?

Don't take it the wrong way :).

The game is a blast to play and I have no regret paying full retail for it. One thing I love is the game world finally looks vibrant and 'vegetated' unlike the brown/gray texture that FO was made of (well...for a reason obviously but still).

The dry humor is still there too but I think NV has little backtracking compared to FO which became a pita at times. Dunno but this might have helped finish some of the main quest quickly. Or maybe cos after spending months on FO, I'm simply more adapt to the game world (use higher ground when attacked and pick enemies one by one with the scoped rifle/plasma gun).

Those that haven't finished the game yet, definitely spend more time on side quests or like me, suddenly you'll be scratching your head when you realize you might be within hours of completing the game:eek:.

I won't spoil it but the closer you get to the end, the interesting it gets (in the grand scheme of things :)).

Somehow a bunch of laser rifle toting thugs in Freeside are against me for walking into the door of their club, now I can't walk around Freeside without beef and the game autosaved me too far ahead to go back. Not powerful enough to take em on, but they do have a tom of weaponry laid out in that place. I might end up spending my entire game loading up to take em all on. Maybe I can get the Kings to help out.

ANyone who is thinking about getting the guide, be warned that it leaves a lot of "little" details out. Nowhere as good as the Oblivion guide.

yes, I grabbed every single PreWar Book I could find (not sure if they are valuable in FONV like in FO3, but I will figure that out on my own - no spoilers!), and by the time I got to Primm, I was (still am) really loaded with gear. so I took every PreWar Book I had and sent them to GS, and they were there when I went back.I am fairly sure that it is safe to hoard your items in that Goodsprings Home/cabin, across from the general stores. Level 7 and my stuff was still safe there from the beginning, until I finally rented a motel, and transferred everything over. This new place is actually pretty nice compared to the Megaton home base.

PW Books, so far I have not seen any use, but will wait and see. The guide does not mention them.,,, and actually I haven't seen too many more after getting past the first few levels.

I am fairly sure that it is safe to hoard your items in that Goodsprings Home/cabin, across from the general stores. Level 7 and my stuff was still safe there from the beginning, until I finally rented a motel, and transferred everything over. This new place is actually pretty nice compared to the Megaton home base.

PW Books, so far I have not seen any use, but will wait and see. The guide does not mention them.,,, and actually I haven't seen too many more after getting past the first few levels.

Don't put your stuff in one of the crates in the mobile home behind the general store in Goodsprings. I did, and it was all gone the next day.

I am fairly sure that it is safe to hoard your items in that Goodsprings Home/cabin, across from the general stores. Level 7 and my stuff was still safe there from the beginning, until I finally rented a motel, and transferred everything over. This new place is actually pretty nice compared to the Megaton home base.

PW Books, so far I have not seen any use, but will wait and see. The guide does not mention them.,,, and actually I haven't seen too many more after getting past the first few levels.

Are you referring to the motel in Novac?

I have a question about side quests in general. How do you tell if it has been completed or not? I know as soon as I scroll over them in my Pip Boy the text goes from light to dark. For instance, there are a couple in Buffalo Bills Casino in Primm(*I think*) very early in the game...

It tells you that there is a machine gun in the display case beside the car on display. I never picked it up, it's not there, how do I know if the quest is active. Same thing happened with finding a sherrif for the town. I activated the robot to be sherrif, but the quest is still in the list but greyed out. Did I complete it or not?

As far as I can tell:

If its in the QUEST list and greyed out, it is done.
If its one of those note type things and is greyed out then it just means you read it.

specific issue from prim
The gun is not there. If you keep asking the robot about it and have him repair his hacked file you get a clue on where to find it. However, as far as I know it never list it as an official "quest" just some loot you can go get and mayb be nice and give back....maybe (I havent looked for it yet but did fix his hacked file).

quests (and all notes too) are greyed out when they have been read.

quests that are not yet complete, have an open box
quests that are complete, have a filled in box

also, if the quest is still playable (uncompleted), you will have the option of making it your current quest.

as far as the gun, it wasn't there when I went in there either, I just assumed it was stolen along time ago. and I don't know anything about a robot sheriff, I got the one from the NCRCF

quests (and all notes too) are greyed out when they have been read.

quests that are not yet complete, have an open box
quests that are complete, have a filled in box

also, if the quest is still playable (uncompleted), you will have the option of making it your current quest.

as far as the gun, it wasn't there when I went in there either, I just assumed it was stolen along time ago. and I don't know anything about a robot sheriff, I got the one from the NCRCF

I guess it was the notes that I was talking about. Maybe those don't have an active/inactive status. Just notes.

As far as I can tell:

If its in the QUEST list and greyed out, it is done.
If its one of those note type things and is greyed out then it just means you read it.

specific issue from prim
The gun is not there. If you keep asking the robot about it and have him repair his hacked file you get a clue on where to find it. However, as far as I know it never list it as an official "quest" just some loot you can go get and mayb be nice and give back....maybe (I havent looked for it yet but did fix his hacked file).

You can go find it. like FO3, these are side/loot quests and are not mission quests. They give you a little blurb, or hint and it's up to you to find the loot. that specific one will give you a new, but unvisited location marker on your map that coincides with the file. Search that town to find your prize.


I got the gun as a lowly level 5. Snuck north and west from Goodsprings, somehow avoiding the ridiculous overpowered enemies they put in your way to keep you headed south. You're not supposed to get there (Westside Freeside) till around the time you enter Vegas, but I made it. The gun is nice too, 9mm with a little more damage, but a 60 round clip.



That's my biggest complaint. Where fallout 3 let you go anywhere from the beginning practically, this game tends to steer you to certain areas first. I rather liked not knowing if a mission would be too hard and retreating in FO3, while getting to explore all areas of the wasteland as I saw fit. In Vegas you're either dead in one area, or you can easily pass the missions in the opposite direction.

You can go find it. like FO3, these are side/loot quests and are not mission quests. They give you a little blurb, or hint and it's up to you to find the loot. that specific one will give you a new, but unvisited location marker on your map that coincides with the file. Search that town to find your prize.


I got the gun as a lowly level 5. Snuck north and west from Goodsprings, somehow avoiding the ridiculous overpowered enemies they put in your way to keep you headed south. You're not supposed to get there (Westside Freeside) till around the time you enter Vegas, but I made it. The gun is nice too, 9mm with a little more damage, but a 60 round clip.



That's my biggest complaint. Where fallout 3 let you go anywhere from the beginning practically, this game tends to steer you to certain areas first. I rather liked not knowing if a mission would be too hard and retreating in FO3, while getting to explore all areas of the wasteland as I saw fit. In Vegas you're either dead in one area, or you can easily pass the missions in the opposite direction.

Really? I mean I kind of skipped Novac and was doing a bunch of stuff up north near Vegas pretty early. Only one of the mccaren quest did I have to back out of due to some bugs slapping me around. On the whole I have found this game easier than FO3. But maybe because mostly if you stay on(or just off) the road you are not bothered too much.

Someone reminded me of the main quest so I went back and am doing Novac now. I wonder if i missed out on something in mccaren due to completing those quest before meeting some of the Novac folks.

Are you referring to the motel in Novac?Yes. Great place for an organizing freak such as myself!

So far at level 11 now (somehow by skipping main quests and walking around doing side quests here and there, I started leveling up suddenly FAST. At one point I went up 3 levels within about 30 minutes of gameplay) and I've found it easy to walk (read: run) around pretty easily from the SE to the North and New Vegas area (9+ perception :D), but the SW portion of the map, and around that Deathclaw spot... forget it. Some areas are not meant to be touched until you're leveled up. Then again, Old Olney was like that in F3 too, you were not meant to get to those sewers until you were 'man' enough. Heck one of the spawn spots was nearly up a Deathclaw's butt.

Yeah, the Deathclaw's are just as brutal as they were in Fallout 3. Three swipes and I'm dead. I'll certainly wait on dealing with those bad guys.

I guess I'm quite OCD when it comes to organization. Similar to my house in Fallout 3, I have everything organized in cabinets, drawers and the fridge in a way that makes sense (money/prewar books in the safe, Sunset Sasparilla in the safe, etc.). I know, pretty horrible but at least I know where everything is!

You would go crazy if you went to the house I am using. I just dumped everything on the floor.

Those Deathclaws are sooo bad. I made a mistake and went by their hangout and what a mistake that was. After being killed by them, I turned and ran away as fast as possible!

James

I ran away from deathclaws in FO3 like a little girl until I was sufficiently leveled up that I could sneak-attack headshot them with my assault rifle. Still, sketchy business.

I'm of sufficiently low level that I had to sneak my way around the Nipton Road Pit Stop. Too many bad guys. I also snuck into the town hall in Nipton, tho it appears from some other stuff I've seen that I can talk to those guys in front without trouble. I was afraid that there were too many of them for me and ED-E to take on. I love ED-E's perception bonus. I'm like a goddamn First Recon sniper, just without the highly effective long range weaponry. I can move about the wasteland with other folks being none the wiser.

IMO, it pays to be a sneaky bastard in the PAW. They can't kill you if they don't know you are there, and there are lots of dangerous things out there than can kill me.

It seems like even the baby Deathclaws are meaner than the regular ones from FO3. Maybe it is the hardcore mode I am running but damn! I am not coming back to them for awhile.

James

what amazes me, is that everyone is talking about how difficult (strong) deathclaws are (haven't actually seen one yet), while I'm getting stomped by ghouls and night stalkers. both are fast as heck, and only take a couple of swipes (and in FONV you are damaged during VATS, unlike in FO3) before you're dead. I've died just about constantly in this game (playing on Hard/Hardcore).

until I got a companion to help, everything was difficult to kill (that wasn't human).

I think anybody who says this game is easy, has mainly stuck to the roads. heck, just south of Primm as you are going toward the Mohave Outpost, if you don't stick to the road, the ghouls will tear you apart. even then, you still have to contend with ridiculously strong radscorps.

good thing I'm one of those types who doesn't mind getting slaughtered. I have no ego

Heck, those dang bee things are kicking my butt!

James

Sometimes when I'm shooting a human enemy, I'll almost have them killed and then their health will go back to max. Are they using stimpacks, or is this a glitch?

Also, what's the best strategy to kill a human enemy when they are far superior? Go for headshots? Arms and legs?

For humans, if they have gun I take out the arm that is holding it. That buys me some time to try and finish them off. Anything that can run but has no gun, I try and take out a leg to slow them down, then kill them off since they cannot chase you.

James

I'll have to try that exo. I usually just go straight for head and torso shots depending on the percentages. Probably why I die a lot in firefights.

On another note. I'm regretting choosing energy weapons as one of my strengths. There just aren't enough of them lying around to be really useful. I've pretty much stop putting points into it altogether.

I'll have to try that exo. I usually just go straight for head and torso shots depending on the percentages. Probably why I die a lot in firefights.

On another note. I'm regretting choosing energy weapons as one of my strengths. There just aren't enough of them lying around to be really useful. I've pretty much stop putting points into it altogether.

My primaries (sadly) are speech, barter and repair. Guns and medicine are next on the list. Energy is down there with unarmed and melee...freakin no energy weapons. Level 18 and 30 hours and I have found 5 guns that were laser or plasma.

Also with humans you can try switching ammo types depending on whether they're wearing armor or not. +P or hollow point.

My biggest regret is trying to go with 3 pts strength. Most of the decent weaponry require 5 or up, so I'm sitting on a bunch of weapons I can't handle. I think on my next level up, I'm taking the perk to add to my special... that and sell some unique armor to get a strength implant. But as for energy weapons, gret for a low strength character. There are enough laser and pulse rifles around to repair into a full conditioned weapon with about 30 damage. Good enough to take on 2-3 ghouls, but for groups of enemies, I just run and detour :p

ED-E's perk and perception help to avoid run-in's but beware that when you get to the point where you can upgrade him, get your loot off him, because when he returns, he's empty. I lost a full cache of goodies :(, scrap metal, cans, sasparillas, unique weapons

Yeah, the Deathclaw's are just as brutal as they were in Fallout 3. Three swipes and I'm dead. I'll certainly wait on dealing with those bad guys.

Make a dart gun as fast as possible if you plan on heading into Deathclaw country

http://fallout.wikia.com/wiki/Dart_gun

Cripple both legs, and run away!

I'll have to try that exo. I usually just go straight for head and torso shots depending on the percentages. Probably why I die a lot in firefights.

On another note. I'm regretting choosing energy weapons as one of my strengths. There just aren't enough of them lying around to be really useful. I've pretty much stop putting points into it altogether.

They're there, but mostly in the latter half of the game, or found in specific locations.

One hug tip is to make sure the NCR Mojave outpost in the southwest is friendly. There's a merchant there with 100 repair ability that makes weapon repair oh so much easier, especially for energy weapons early on. Just pay him the caps and use the XP somewhere else.

Make a dart gun as fast as possible if you plan on heading into Deathclaw country

http://fallout.wikia.com/wiki/Dart_gun

Cripple both legs, and run away!Power fist or the like seem to do good harm as well, especially for a melee character. I watched a video of one guy completely owning DC with all melee and strategic defense tactics such as circle strafing rocks and stuff. Was amazing.

Yup. I was gonna say, "grab a dart gun". Turns Deathclaws into pansies in one shot. ;) Are the schematic based weapons in NV at all? I don't have it (yet) and asked my friend and he isn't sure.

Make a dart gun as fast as possible if you plan on heading into Deathclaw country. Cripple both legs, and run away!

Exactly what I did in FO3. Dart Gun -> Plasma Rifle to the head -> bye bye DC. Saved my a$$ many times around Old Olney and the DC sanctuary.

Okay..I take my word back saying the main quest was too short.

Spoiler:
After I had killed Benny, I thought the game was pretty much done but after meeting with Mr House, I found Benny was just one part of the puzzle. I've put in another 5 hours since Benny's murder (hehe) and finally have the option to start the last main quest (taking over the dam and fighting both NCR and Caesar's Army).

Talk about double-cross! After doing everything for Mr House and wiping clean most clans (no spoilers), I double-crossed him and went back to 'Yes Man' and revealed Mr House's grand plan to him. Now I'm doing the clan quests for 'Yes Man' and I think this is what Benny had intended too....double-cross Mr House at the last min and kill him, re-program the grid and take over the dam and Vegas for himself (well..I guess that will be me). Wiping out the Brotherhood of Steel netted me some serious firepower ....laser gattling gun, laser sniper rifle, powered armor (gotta get training first). I can safely stray off the roads now and wipe anything that moves. I'm L14 now and have both 'guns' and 'energy weapons' at 90/100.

I think the whole post qualifies as a spoiler.

some people haven't even heard of Benny and Mr. House

^ Thanks...Edited my post :-).

I had not heard of the dart gun:eek: I will have to try and find one.

I was just running around and saw a pack of about 6 DC's. Needless to say I tucked my tail in and hauled butt.

James

Exo, I'm assuming you're playing New Vegas, yeah? So far (without owning the game) that there is no schematic based custom weapons in NV. This was from FO3. The dart gun was easily one of the most overpowered weapons in the game. Turns pretty much anything other than scorps into a pack a wussies. It one-shot cripples both legs and makes anything move like molasses. Easy fodder at that point. This was THE weapon of choice for taking on DC's. At least, in FO3 anyway...

I'll have to try that exo. I usually just go straight for head and torso shots depending on the percentages. Probably why I die a lot in firefights.

On another note. I'm regretting choosing energy weapons as one of my strengths. There just aren't enough of them lying around to be really useful. I've pretty much stop putting points into it altogether.

Wow again it shows how different this game can be from person to person. I am loaded down with laser and plasma (pistols, rifles, everything). I regret NOT putting points in energy weapons. I am at level 13 as of last night.

Exo, I'm assuming you're playing New Vegas, yeah? So far (without owning the game) that there is no schematic based custom weapons in NV. This was from FO3. The dart gun was easily one of the most overpowered weapons in the game. Turns pretty much anything other than scorps into a pack a wussies. It one-shot cripples both legs and makes anything move like molasses. Easy fodder at that point. This was THE weapon of choice for taking on DC's. At least, in FO3 anyway...

Scott,

I am talking about NV. I do not even remember the dart gun from FO3. Then again I do not remember last week.

James

Exo, I'm assuming you're playing New Vegas, yeah? So far (without owning the game) that there is no schematic based custom weapons in NV. This was from FO3. The dart gun was easily one of the most overpowered weapons in the game. Turns pretty much anything other than scorps into a pack a wussies. It one-shot cripples both legs and makes anything move like molasses. Easy fodder at that point. This was THE weapon of choice for taking on DC's. At least, in FO3 anyway...

Thats my bad, you're right. I was going by the fallout vegas wiki, and they incorrectly listed it as a weapon. Figured you could build it at one of the tables or something.

Guess we'll have to ind another critical hit weapon to take out deathclaw legs...

I have found only one schematic
I think it was at the NCRCF, it was a schematic for the Powder Charge

Wow again it shows how different this game can be from person to person. I am loaded down with laser and plasma (pistols, rifles, everything). I regret NOT putting points in energy weapons. I am at level 13 as of last night.

Could be that you are just farther into the game. I haven't had a lot of time to devote to it. Haven't made it to New Vegas yet, but I've been doing all of the quests that I find along the way.

I am at level (11 or 12) and I am putting my points in guns, repair, lock picking thing and speech. For the next two levels everything is going in lock picking since I have found some spots where I need them to access. I have not put any points (that I recall) in energy weapons.

I also have not been in New Vegas as of yet. I am just doing some side stuff and trying to level up a bit more to get something from a pain in the butt vault.

James

Fragster:
Did you kill Benny when first meeting him in the casino? If you don't, it leads into him being captured by the Legion, though I haven't gone there yet

got three freezes post patch (i'm on the PS3 version), where I only had two in hours and hours of play before.

I also sent ED-E home because I didn't want him fighting CQC with mutants. Just went to Primm and he's Fraking not there. WTF...

Word is I lost him, and might not be able to get the gang's all there trophy too.

Fraking unbelievable.

I don't think your companions can die, they simply become unconscious for a bit. At least, that's what I've encountered. I never worry about ED-E. He's become unconscious numerous times but always wakes up in a minute.

I'm also have about 20 hours logged in and so far very few hiccups to report. I haven't had a single freeze yet.

I don't think your companions can die, they simply become unconscious for a bit. At least, that's what I've encountered. I never worry about ED-E. He's become unconscious numerous times but always wakes up in a minute.
Oh, they can die. At least, they can in hardcore.

I don't think your companions can die, they simply become unconscious for a bit. At least, that's what I've encountered. I never worry about ED-E. He's become unconscious numerous times but always wakes up in a minute.

I'm also have about 20 hours logged in and so far very few hiccups to report. I haven't had a single freeze yet.Yeah, one convenience with NV is not wasting time being concerned about your companions life. They always come back. No more watching them get carried way to their death and searching for a body to recover your loot when a companion goes awol in unfamiliar territory. I've still got mental scars from that in FO3.

And no freezes here either. Whatever everyone else is going thru, I can't relate. Smooth game, so much fun, what a timesink.

I haven't had any issues, but I suppose you could turn ED-E to be less aggressive.

Looks like I jinxed myself by something something. No freeze ups, but I lost a whole row of pixels on my plasma while playing New Vegas. :(

Yeah, one convenience with NV is not wasting time being concerned about your companions life. They always come back. No more watching them get carried way to their death and searching for a body to recover your loot when a companion goes awol in unfamiliar territory. I've still got mental scars from that in FO3.

And no freezes here either. Whatever everyone else is going thru, I can't relate. Smooth game, so much fun, what a timesink.

I haven't had any issues, but I suppose you could turn ED-E to be less aggressive.

I've had it freeze only twice in 30+ hours. Agreed about the "unconscious" aspect. I have had Boone hammered by 5 deathclaws. I used him as bait and killed them...waited a few minutes and he was miraculously alive and full of health...

I really do wonder if they can die (someone mentioned hardcore mode they do...that would make sense).

Oh yeah, in hardcore they die. Boone has died on me a few times which means I have to reload a previous save since I need his help.

James

In Hardcore do you have to worry about their food and water levels as well as your own?

Something I just realized the other day - Novac is named such because that's the only part of the motel sign that lights up.

Was on YouTube and saw this and thought of you guys...

For those unfamiliar with the Dart Gun, this is a great video showcasing it. Skip to 3:30 in to see it's effect on a Deathclaw.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r4aW8l63Jq8&feature=grec_index

Was on YouTube and saw this and thought of you guys...

For those unfamiliar with the Dart Gun, this is a great video showcasing it. Skip to 3:30 in to see it's effect on a Deathclaw.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r4aW8l63Jq8&feature=grec_index

Definitely will be building a dart gun later tonight.

Definitely will be building a dart gun later tonight.

Just FYI, that is a video from Fallout 3 and not New Vegas. I sure hope they have the dart gun in NV. :o

In Hardcore do you have to worry about their food and water levels as well as your own?

Something I just realized the other day - Novac is named such because that's the only part of the motel sign that lights up.

I never had to as of yet and Boone has been running with me for a bit now. You do get the option to give them a stimpak thing though.

Yeah, that "novac" sign is funny.

James

Got a glitch in the system. Can't complete the HELIOS 1 mission the way I want to because the NPC's are glitching and i'm unable to talk to them to finish it. Killling one works, but it'll give me bad karma with either the FOA or NCR.

Games wearing thin on me the past few days.

I've got a glitch too. Anyone know if the following will still be able to be completed? In the Ed-E my love quest...

you are supposed to talk to the old lady in the junk yard to get Ed to start "remembering" things. Problem is, I had already talked to her before I got Ed, so now she won't say the lines that she is supposed to. I skipped her and went to the guy in Helios 1 and he triggered a memory and my quest moved on to the next part. Think I'll still be able to complete the quest?

I've got a glitch too. Anyone know if the following will still be able to be completed? In the Ed-E my love quest...

you are supposed to talk to the old lady in the junk yard to get Ed to start "remembering" things. Problem is, I had already talked to her before I got Ed, so now she won't say the lines that she is supposed to. I skipped her and went to the guy in Helios 1 and he triggered a memory and my quest moved on to the next part. Think I'll still be able to complete the quest?

Should be able to. Just keep him along.

DON'T ever send him back to Primm. If you do so, you risk glitching him and him getting lost for the rest of the game. I did so before I knew about it and now he's gone forever this playthrough.

:mad:

Fragster:
Did you kill Benny when first meeting him in the casino? If you don't, it leads into him being captured by the Legion, though I haven't gone there yet

Spoiler:
I didn't kill him at the Casino...I actually fell for his sneaky talk again and his thugs cornered me (good thing I had taken the silenced gun inside which helped). I then started working for Caesar who caught Benny for me and then it was fun taking him out in a mutually agreed dual:D. Wondering around NV in 3 piece Benny's suit was priceless. Then sold it for a decent price.

I finally have saved the game at 2 major points which should lead to different endings. One where I'm totally working for Mr House and letting him take over NV. Other where I've double-crossed him and planning the take-over myself and since I have complete control over Yes Man (who has 100% control over the computer grid and robots now, etc), I can determine the future for NV :cool:.

Haven't touched the 360 for the last 2 days since I've been slammed at work but tonite, plan to get the main quest completed (one where I decide NV's fate). Then will go back, load up the older save and do the ending with Mr House in control.

Okay guys...

It's done (at least with one ending anyway). Last 'boss' battles were a bytch since you can't fast travel in the final quest. Ran out of all stimpaks, stealth boy, etc. Took me at least 10 reloads before I killed all 'bosses'.

Ending was a little disappointing...no cinematics whatsoever..just a narration with a pic slideshow which talks about what happens after the war....what happens to the other factions...what happens to the cities (some blossomed but others went to ruins). Little depressing.

I'm exhausted with this right now so may take a little break for now and then load up my older save and play the last quest to get the other ending.

http://img695.imageshack.us/img695/748/enfi.jpg (http://img695.imageshack.us/i/enfi.jpg/)

Got a glitch in the system. Can't complete the HELIOS 1 mission the way I want to because the NPC's are glitching and i'm unable to talk to them to finish it. Killling one works, but it'll give me bad karma with either the FOA or NCR.

Games wearing thin on me the past few days.

Are you sure it's glitched or did you not go to the observation level and activate the system? You don't just select your choice in the mainframe computer, you also have to go outside on the platform above the arrays and start it up. If I remember correctly, this is when the mission completes, NOT through a dialog choice.

Are you sure it's glitched or did you not go to the observation level and activate the system? You don't just select your choice in the mainframe computer, you also have to go outside on the platform above the arrays and start it up. If I remember correctly, this is when the mission completes, NOT through a dialog choice.

It's glitched. Arming then activating the security goes through the function, but then there's no mission complete. Talk to the two guys and you don't get any dialogue options. Kill the FOA guy and you get mission complete.

I figured out a way around it, only armed the weapon. Finished the mission, then went back and activated security. Fast traveled out, and now I have no group karma hits.

But I can't get close to the power plant, less they come after me at that specific location now. No biggy since there's nothing else there.

Frag,

How many hours did you log? I think I have close to ten and I am no where near done. I have ow even got into New Vegas as of yet.

James

I'd say around 18 hours or so. I didn't really spend a lot of time on exploration/side-quests though :-(.. well not till I got some decent firepower (gattling gun, heavy armor, tri-laser rifle).

Before this, if I wandered off the main roads, I'd die pretty easily from those fox like creatures.

Now that I've completed the game, I agree with the 8.5/10 reviews on the net. NV did have new content, weapons, brighter game world but a lot of times, it did feel like I was playing an expansion pack. IMO of course.

On the positive side, one more week before BO comes out and I can spend the next 6-12 months online!

Just got the game, but can't bring myself to start it.
Played FO3 before and it's tough to put the game down once you start playing
What kind of perks / skills would you say is the most important/interesting in the game?

I'm not as far along as these other guys, but speech seems a lot more important than it was in FO3. It seems like quests are much more flexible in how they can play out, and speech plays a big role in how things go down.

This game is flatout BROKEN! :mad:

Wouldn't be surprized to see Bethesda design the next Xbox 360 console. :rolleyes:

Here's the Achievements they should have included:

http://i112.photobucket.com/albums/n172/spyderswebphotos/Achievement.jpg

http://i112.photobucket.com/albums/n172/spyderswebphotos/Achievement2.jpg

http://i112.photobucket.com/albums/n172/spyderswebphotos/Achievement3.jpg

http://i112.photobucket.com/albums/n172/spyderswebphotos/Achievement4.jpg

I'm 100+ hours in, and feel like I'm ready to kill someone!

Prime example is the Talent Pool quest:

Talk to talent agent guy
LOADING
Walk 10 feet
LOAD
Walk 20 feet
LOAD
Door
LOAD
Fast travel
LOAD
Talk to entertainment
LOAD
LOAD
LOAD
LOAD
LOAD
...Repeat 4 times (assuming you don't glitch out and start all over again!)

Weak. Would it have been so utterly difficult to just let me go get all the talent at once?!?!? :confused:

Such a complete disappointment after FO3...one the best games of all time. :(

I find New Vegas to be a far better experience than Fallout 3 was, and I really enjoyed that one. 31 hours in and I have no glitches to report. I'm almost level 20 as well.

And for the record, the game is not BROKEN. People love throwing hyperbolic statements around here.

I already finished the game with one ending and to be exact, I ran into glitches/weirdness twice...that's it. Yes, the loading times pop up every time u leave an area/building/house but that's exactly how it was in FO and Oblivion.

Spaming9: When it comes to perk distribution, etc, I found it's better to specialize in one aspect and you build your character around it. I wasted some points earlier on in perks that I never maxed out and never used.

So you decide whether you wanna be Rambo (that's how I ended up anyway and put everything in 'guns' and 'laser weapons') OR be more of a leader and focus on 'speech'. Either way has its rewards. You can either use brute force to break in clan grounds or use your 'high speech' to help the negotiations.

Or focus on 'hacking' and 'sneaking' and utilize the robots, turrets to your heart's content.

But like I said, decide on what type of approach you'd like and specialize in that. From my experience, a "man of all trades but master of none' approach does not work/reward well in this game.

I went the Rambo route and maxed out my 'guns' and 'laser weapons' so with laser/sniper rifles/gattling gun, it was a one shot kill for most enemies by the time I reached the end of the game.

Of course, YMMV ;-).

Those about to start the final quest.....MAX OUT STIMPACKS, DOC BAGS, WATER, STEALTH BOY, ARMOR. While there'll be plenty of weapons/ammo/nades, etc from fallen enemies, health packs don't come easy and fast travel is disabled so load up on the necessities (especially doctor bags for limb damage) BEFORE you dive in the final quest.

I find New Vegas to be a far better experience than Fallout 3 was, and I really enjoyed that one. 31 hours in and I have no glitches to report. I'm almost level 20 as well.

And for the record, the game is not BROKEN. People love throwing hyperbolic statements around here.

Yeah I am enjoying it more too. But then I think its easier than the last one (I know I could play on hardcore but that doesnt sound like fun ;)).

I have had a couple of freezes but nothing else I think is broke yet. I thought the ED-E quest was broken but then I read what it was about online. I think they could have made the wait requirement a little more obvious somehow but otherwise it seems fine.

Just finished the final ending I had left to do, which was the NCR alignment. Only froze twice, both requiring a complete restart of the console, so that was a HUGE improvement from the previous final battles at Hoover Dam. Among the many other glitches/freezes, were a few "hilarious" times when a quest was completely finished (Beyond the Beef was one), yet never could be turned in. Thankfully, the game still progressed and I was able to move on and end the game each time.

Overall, I found this to be much easier (and boring) than FO3. I would have preferred FAR less fetch-quest monotony and more chances to go in and completely clear out an area in a glorious and magnificent killing spree, ala the DLC packs from the previous game, but it was what it was. This one also never delivered the "impending doom" or "fright factor" that the first one didm, at least for me. All in all, I doubt I'll replay this one again. :( (Played through FO3 three full times, including ALL DLC packs...which took about the same amount of time as I spent waiting in loading screens in this one.)

In regard to the skills, I had 100 in each of the following;
Science
Lockpick
Speech
Barter
Repair
Worked out incredibly well for me. My Gun skill was a paltry 45, yet I was getting one shot-one kill hits on everything, including Deathclaws. (With the Anti-Materiel Gun, of course!) :D

The one thing that I will say is that the soundtrack is THE BEST!
Nice to see Marty Robbins getting the respect he deserves. :)

"Talent Pool" Yeah that quest is a test to patience. It took me awhile to realize I couldn't hit all the locations at once, so I probably wasted 2X time going thru loading screens.

Being inside New Vegas in general, I find to be a letdown. I prefer the open wasteland. No loading screens out there!

I'd have to say I like FO3 a lil (just a fraction) better. Just felt more open, less restrictive. I enjoyed taking out occasional bands of Raiders while plowing thru to destinations, and feeling free to do so. In NV I feel like I'm not supposed to kill anyone because everyone's factioned and connected to some ultimate ending that I'm apparently already aware of.

Damn, got my first broken quest.

If you meet a Great Khan named Melissa DO NOT do her little sidequest if you want to be able to complete the quest Oh My Papa. It doesn't make the quest fail, but it makes her disappear and break the quest.

I had the powerfist equipped and it glitched a sniper rifle upside down on my wrist. Pretty cool to melee with the sniper rifle- Heres a a pic-http://i985.photobucket.com/albums/ae337/ajslick/DSC00928.jpg

Stop posting "lies" about glitches. Big Brad's head is going to explode. :D

http://www.toplessrobot.com/scanners-headexplode.jpg :D

No doubt that glitches exist. I guess I've been lucky enough to not experience as many as some people. But I still wouldn't call New Vegas broken, and I would still rather play it than any other game at this point (I'm look at you, Fable III).

I'm almost level 24 with over 40 hours in and I think I've done one or two quests in The Strip. I've been sticking to sidequests mostly. But I did experience my first freeze the other day when exploring a cave.

http://www.toplessrobot.com/scanners-headexplode.jpg :D

No doubt that glitches exist. I guess I've been lucky enough to not experience as many as some people. But I still wouldn't call New Vegas broken, and I would still rather play it than any other game at this point (I'm look at you, Fable III).

I'm almost level 24 with over 40 hours in and I think I've done one or two quests in The Strip. I've been sticking to sidequests mostly. But I did experience my first freeze the other day when exploring a cave.

LOL. Is that from the movie, Scanners? :)

For what it's worth, I had 3 quests in a row fail on Fable III today. One made me lose my "hand-held" guest when I entered a new area, one led me to a door that wouldn't open, and the other had my glowing mission trail lead me to a cliff with nothing there. :(

Time to go back to L4D/2 for a while, I guess.

so on the come fly with me quest if my speech and barter aren't good enough how to i complete it...(when getting the rocket parts)...

so on the come fly with me quest if my speech and barter aren't good enough how to i complete it...(when getting the rocket parts)...

How close are the skills? You may be able to use a barter or speech skill magazine to get you there. They raise the respected skill by 20.

How close are the skills? You may be able to use a barter or speech skill magazine to get you there. They raise the respected skill by 20.

They raise it by 10, 20 with the comprehension perk. You can also use chems or even apparel for a point or two. Lastly, you can wait until you level up and put enough points into the skills.

Here's a nitpick - you can only make recipes at those damn campfires. Seems really stupid that you can't make them in a kitchen, particularly a fully functional one like in Lucky 38. Would be a lot easier too.

Here's a nitpick - you can only make recipes at those damn campfires. Seems really stupid that you can't make them in a kitchen, particularly a fully functional one like in Lucky 38. Would be a lot easier too.

Take Veronica with you. She can make them anytime by talking to her.

so on the come fly with me quest if my speech and barter aren't good enough how to i complete it...(when getting the rocket parts)...

You can steal them, if needed. However, at a measly 500 caps, that shouldn't be necessary.

They raise it by 10, 20 with the comprehension perk. You can also use chems or even apparel for a point or two. Lastly, you can wait until you level up and put enough points into the skills.

Good call. I had completely forgotten about the Comprehension perk. I think I activated it at level 4 or 6, which is probably why I didn't even think of it. Too much Fallout New Vegas apparently affects my memory.

Well I am at level 18 (I believe) with about 40 hours in and still have not stepped into the strip. I am enjoying just running around and finding places. I have seen some glitches and only one freeze up. The one glitch that cracks me up is in a train tunnel. When you try and go into a doorway, you drop through the map and land in another location, almost just like the Portal game (lol). Still having a lot of fun and figure I will get close to 80 hours in it before I finish which is about what I got out of FO3.

James

I am having trouble. I haven't started any "Strip" quests yet, but I gained access first via the monorail.

After completing G.I. Blues, I have recieved the Kings favor. I would like to use it to diplomatically end the dispute between NCR and the Boomers in King's Gabmit. Problem is that I haven't completed "Things that Go Boom" even though I am idolized by the Boomers (and completed Volare!)...

http://fallout.wikia.com/wiki/Kings%27_Gambit

When I went to the embassy in the Strip, the ambassador had nothing specific for me, no quest...nothing. How do I activate "things that go boom". Not even Colonel Moore at Hoover or Colonel Hsu at McCarran has anything to say.

Do I need to start any of the Strip quests to begin the "main" NCR quests??? I haven't done ALL of the companion quests yet...is that holding me back for these other ones? Is the fact that I am very negative with Caesar's legion the reason why I can't start these quests?

I've already done everything for Jacobstown, Black Mountain, Nipton, Goodsprings, (I think for all of the forts [including McCarran]), Novac (minus "Come Fly With Me"), Boulder City, The Great Kahns, and Freeside. According to my quest list, all I have left are Strip quests, "Come Fly With Me", Vault 22 (for both FOA and BOS)...

I haven't done "Ring-A-Ding-Ding" at all yet. I that what is holding me up?

Also, 2nd thing....how the heck did Caesar's Legion take over Helios One??? I took the arming option (where I can use Eucilides C-Finder...I am a "Good Natured Rascal" with the NCR since then, when I left the NCR was still there...but coming back 15-20 days later Legions are there (flags too!). Any tips...and they aren't hostile...even though I am totally against them in infamy)....help...

I'm guessing because you armed and fired it, killing all the NCR there.

Talk to King to end the dispute with NCR. The dispute is between them, the Boomers aren't involved.

I'm guessing because you armed and fired it, killing all the NCR there.

Talk to King to end the dispute with NCR. The dispute is between them, the Boomers aren't involved.

He won't even talk about that...everything is already "greyed" out...I guess I need to finish the last main quest before I choose a faction for the final...

I'll try again and see what happens.

There is a dialog option like "about that favor..." Also, check your quests, it should tell you the next step to take to finish it.

There is a dialog option like "about that favor..." Also, check your quests, it should tell you the next step to take to finish it.

Oh...i had that...didn't want to be "forced" into choosing a favor so never clicked it.

Yeah, using the favor to finish it is the easiest way. The wiki also lists some longer ways to do it, if you want to pick something else for the favor.

Yeah, using the favor to finish it is the easiest way. The wiki also lists some longer ways to do it, if you want to pick something else for the favor.

I went ahead and finished Ring-a-Ding-Ding:

When I went into the tops, I immediately went to 13th floor, spoke to Yes Man and went through a bunch of dialogue and picked up like 3-4 "Wildcard" quests. This was also after I had talked to Mr. House in "The House always wins"...(I didn't tell him whether I would help him or not...).

Saved it after talking to Yes Man and then killed Benny.

As soon as I left Tops I was greeted and given passage to Caesar's Legion.

Saved. Now I can finish all 4 endings without doing an entire game all over again. I can do Yes Man, then Mr. House, then NCR and finally Legion.

After he gave me the pass, I went to the embassy and the front gate guy started "Things that Go Boom".

I guess you have to finish Ring-a-Ding-Ding to really start any of the final quests.

Luckily I can now use my favor at a later date from "the King" in "For the Republic, Pt. 2" instead of wasting it on money or something.

Heck, those dang bee things are kicking my butt!

James

The 9 or 10mm sub machinegun works nice on these.

Finally broke down and bought this yesterday. I wanted to wait for some more patches to come down the pipeline, but my impatience got the better of me.

I'm glad I didn't wait because the real annoyances aren't the bugs, it's the overall performance issues (which I don't expect would ever be fixed by a patch). I've been replaying Fallout 3 in preparation for this release, so the dramatic drop in all around performance in Fallout New Vegas is painfully evident. The framerate is far lower and more prone to dips. The occasional hitches are really obnoxious. And the overall attention to environmental detail and objects is disappointingly low. I didn't expect a technical masterpiece, but I thought that it would perform at least as well as its predecessor--especially considering that Fallout 3 was released two years ago.

There's no doubt a great game buried beneath its issues, but I hate to constantly think to myself, "I can see the game this should have been." A real shame.

Well knock on wood, but I'm 20 hours in and I've yet to have one major issue. No crashes or broken game bugs. I have seen some clipping and framerate but I can deal with those.

Well knock on wood, but I'm 20 hours in and I've yet to have one major issue. No crashes or broken game bugs. I have seen some clipping and framerate but I can deal with those.Like I said, bugs aren't the issue for me either (yet). The bigger issue is the general performance drop between Fallout 3 and this (framerate, load stuttering, fewer environmental objects/details, etc).

I'm really enjoying the experience, but it is truly heartbreaking to watch it suffer like this. It makes it even worse knowing that even if all the major bugs get patched, this is as good as it will ever perform. :(

Like I said, bugs aren't the issue for me either (yet). The bigger issue is the general performance drop between Fallout 3 and this (framerate, load stuttering, fewer environmental objects/details, etc).

I'm really enjoying the experience, but it is truly heartbreaking to watch it suffer like this. It makes it even worse knowing that even if all the major bugs get patched, this is as good as it will ever perform. :(

Try installing to your HD, that helped mine a lot. Also, when starting up Fallout New Vegas hold the right bumber and left bumber and X at the same time until the title screen shows press start. This defrags the Fallout game only (as noted by the developers on their own website) and was also used in Fallout 3. It helps a lot for my game, to the point I don't notice hardly any problems.

do we know when the first DLC will be available for F:NV? what it'll be about ? price ?

Try installing to your HD, that helped mine a lot. Also, when starting up Fallout New Vegas hold the right bumber and left bumber and X at the same time until the title screen shows press start. This defrags the Fallout game only (as noted by the developers on their own website) and was also used in Fallout 3. It helps a lot for my game, to the point I don't notice hardly any problems.

Very cool tip. I will give this a go tonight.

James

Try installing to your HD, that helped mine a lot. Also, when starting up Fallout New Vegas hold the right bumber and left bumber and X at the same time until the title screen shows press start. This defrags the Fallout game only (as noted by the developers on their own website) and was also used in Fallout 3. It helps a lot for my game, to the point I don't notice hardly any problems.Whoa. Never heard of such a thing. I'll give it a go. Thanks.

Whoa. Never heard of such a thing. I'll give it a go. Thanks.

The more you save your game and the more save slots, the more this helps. The developers posted it on their web site for people having problems with framerate and slow downs.

do we know when the first DLC will be available for F:NV? what it'll be about ? price ?

1st Dead Money DLC comes out on Dec.21 for $10. Looks like FV DLC pricing is like F3, $10 for DLC.
http://exophase.com/19726/fallout-new-vegas-dlc-dead-money-hits-xbl-exclusively-in-december/#more-19726

What I'm curious is if you already completed the main story quest which prevents you from continuing the side quests, does Dead Money DLC unlock the game again? Or the DLC requires you to backtrack to the pre-completed main quest saved game assuming you kept one around.

More RPG games now return the player to the playable state after completed the main quest story, but not F3 and FV. The publisher's idea is sell you a DLC later that reopens the game to let you continue.

do we know when the first DLC will be available for F:NV? what it'll be about ? price ?

I posted too soon, here's the answer to my own question: Dec 21st

http://www.joystiq.com/2010/11/17/fallout-new-vegas-dead-money-dlc-drops-dec-21-on-xbox-live/

What I'm curious is if you already completed the main story quest which prevents you from continuing the side quests, does Dead Money DLC unlock the game again? Or the DLC requires you to backtrack to the pre-completed main quest saved game assuming you kept one around...

In a nutshell, I'd say neither. The DLC is likely a completely seperate quest that exists in and of itself. You'll probably see your character's level retained, but lose your acquired equipment and items; making the DLC challenging for those that had lots of goodies, yet easy enough for those that haven't progressed as far. (Sort of like Operation Anchorage.)

Just my best guess.