WelcometoExtremeGamer

Reviewed by Tinnanski - March 11th 2004

Introduction
If you where a fan of PC gaming in the mid-1990's then you should know about Fallout Series. Fallout is a game that has established a cult following with its post-apocalyptic setting and mature overtones. It was a great time for turn-based roleplaying games and maybe the last. Now, in 2004, the Fallout series has been reincarnated for this generation of gamers, and another tale is woven out of the vast Fallout universe.


The Game
Fallout: Brotherhood of Steel blends roleplaying elements with your basic hack n' slash action orientated gameplay. Even with the other elements this game mixed in, Brotherhood is mainly straight hack em' up. Trouble strikes when you have a hack em' up with no blocking! This time you will have to roll with the punches and deliver you own punishment. Thus battles can a little crazy, and it sure doesn't help that you will be hugely outnumbered at the same time. It's not bad giving the nature of the game, but overall it might be a little lacking for some.

Another problem with Fallout: BHOS is the lack of variation among the enemies in each level. This makes the levels seem longer then they are because of the monotonous waves of beetles or raiders etc. Although, you wont have to worry not having variation in the weapons. The weapon selection is rather larger and they range from blunt weapons (bats, torches) to ranged weapons (desert eagle, shotguns) with an assortment of demolitions (pipe bomb). It's never felt so good wearing a pair of spiked gloves! and ripping into a giant insect.

You have three choices of characters in Fallout: BHOS each have their own set of abilities and attributes. The three characters pick from is the barbarian Cyrus, the babe Nadia, and the mutant Cain. Since there is a pinch of RPG in Fallout: BHOS you can level-up your characters and customize there traits however you wish. This extends the life of the game if you where so inclined to march into the post-apocalyptic world one more time.

Overall Fallout's gameplay is a little flawed, and the use of the 'Baulders Gate' engine could have used a little more tweaking. Engine troubles aside, Brotherhood is fun and the setting of being in a mutant infested wasteland never grows old.

Graphics & Sound
The graphics in BHOS are average. The perspective of the camera is fixed top-down restricted to only rotating left or right. Also, there is no option of zooming which is a little behind the times. For the good some of the levels are creatively crafty, which makes for some interesting objectives you normally wouldn't see. For colours, Brotherhood matches the depressing bleak colours of the world, accomplishing its goal. It doesn't have to purdy, to work.

Fallout: BHOS is a mature game, with this in mind the characters do indulge in some, well lots of profane language. Being a dirt farmer can do that to you, I assume. BHOS is the most edgy dialog in a console game I have played yet. It's great to see everything isn't marketed towards the younger pre-teen crowd. Although if you're against all that you will be instantly turned off by this game, but in retrospect the violence is more brutal then a few R-Rated words.

Crudeness aside the voice over work is done quite well in Fallout and the music and sound effects snuggle right into the wastelands burly overtones. Interplay went for the background music of metal bands like Slipknot, which fits like a glove. When the gameplay starts to get intense they brilliantly start to the madness metal of the fallout soundtrack which helps put you over the edge into the postal rage. Great stuff, nice audio.

Innovation
BHOS could be called innovative, if you are comparing it to the other Fallout games. Almost everything has changed about the way you play the game but they kept all the same content. This is different and refreshing, but most of its fan base would of love to see another turn-based adventure and not this rampaged up edition. Without referencing the original Fallout, BHOS is not that innovative, its more like a re-packaged game. There isn't much new and considering they just slapped on the 'Baulder Gate' gaming engine with minimal tweaks. 'Dark Alliance' and Fallout: BHOS are too similar for my tastes.

Mojo
It's a good time in the Fallout Universe, as it always has been. If you're not chattin it up in some dirty infested town, you'll be blowing apart anything that moves-- with an abundance of wasteland zombies this is always entertaining. Mojo! Mojo! Damn right, Fallout brings it like no other!


Lowdown
Fallout: Brotherhood of Steel might not be Fallout 3, but that's OK. If you're a Fallout fan then you will enjoy this wasteland romp enough to look past the shallow action and checkpoint-to-checkpoint gameplay. Brotherhood of Steel will appeal to any gamer who likes violent hack em' up games filled with harsh M-rated language, beer, women, and mutants. Ah, isn't the wasteland fun. Now go shoot something!


Gameplay: 6.5, Graphics/Sound: 7, Innovation: 6, Mojo: 8.5 . Final: 7

FEATURES:
  • Based on the world of Fallout, a successful series of PC games set in a grim post-apocalyptic universe inspired by classic '50's sci-fi films.
  • Single and multi-player cooperative play.
  • Three customizable playable characters, each with their own unique traits, strengths and attributes to develop over the course of the game.
  • Unleash over 50 ranged, melee and explosive weapons on hoards of radioactive and mutant creatures and bosses.
  • Auto-Targeting ability to quickly cycle through enemies.


Fallout:
Brotherhood Of Steel

 
Publisher
Interplay
 
Developer
Interplay
 
Genre
Action
 
Released
Jan. 2004
 
ESRB
Mature


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