Fallout: New Vegas - Fall 2010

Rat Boy wrote:

Put me down in the camp of "FO:NV deathclaws are tougher than FO3 deathclaws."

That's because Deathclaws in FO3 were reskinned Bandits. They level scaled with everything else. New Vegas Deathclaws are the terrors of the wastes that they were meant to be.

Also no dart gun.

Vector wrote:
Rat Boy wrote:

Put me down in the camp of "FO:NV deathclaws are tougher than FO3 deathclaws."

I'm in this camp. I died. A lot. Then I snuck by them. Then Boone triggered them. And I died again.

I bought the anti-materiel rifle. Deathclaw problem solved.

Well, as long as they come one at a time anyway.

C4 works nicely too

Mark me down as another in the rainbow and gumdrops camp. In about 30 hours of play I've had 2 lockups and lost my auto/quick saves once. I've had one or two oddities like a radscorpion under the ground and a guy walking around about 3 feet in the air.

Of course, I haven't even made it to New Vegas yet. I'm having too much fun just exploring the wasteland, which is the main fun of the game to me. Linear scripted stories like Dragon Age or Mass Effect are fine, but I like being able to wander around in what feels like a real world.

Picked up the Q-35 Matter Manipulator from Repconn last night. Now that's a fun little toy.

Still planning on getting back to it, just haven't had the time yet. I spent last night learning BloodBowl, and now that I'm starting to understand the rules it's getting interesting.

Put me down in the happy camp, but I am getting a little sick of Obsidian's apparent lack of a Q/A department. After KoTOR2, NWN2, and Alpha Protocol, I pretty much knew what to expect with New Vegas. I've enjoyed every game of theirs that I've bought, despite the problems. I guess I'm of the mindset that I'll put up with bugs if there's a great game underneath. I usually don't have the major problems others get, so maybe I've just been lucky.

On the deathclaw note - I looked up a picture of them on Google Images and was promply subjected to multiple fan created Deathclaw porn images. Rule 34 indeed, the sick bastards.

Well, i finished the game yesterday. Overall I found it to be very enjoyable. The first 80% of the game (before I hit the strip) was far and away the best of it. Vault 11 stands out as the best part of the game for me, by far.

Once I made it to Vegas, things got very confusing from a quest line perspective. All of a sudden I had quests to do work for 5 or 6 different factions, and factions that I had ruthlessly and savagely mowed down in the past were suddenly offering forgiveness. I got the impression that the game was basically throwing away everything I'd done up to that point and offering me a chance to change my previous decisions. For me, that was a huge immersion breaker. I felt like this character that I'd built over 15+ hours of gameplay out in the wilderness was suddenly gone because what he'd done no longer mattered.

The rest of the game from that point had some interesting moments, but felt like a shadow of what came before.

Spoiler:

During the pre-Vegas game, I'd also built some very close ties with both the BoS and NCR. It really bothered me in the end that, in order to progress to the final battle via the NCR storyline, I was forced to wipe out the BoS. I was idolized by both factions so to suddenly have to betray them to finish the game seemed like being forced to make a choice that my character would not have made.

Reading some spoilers on the F:NV forums, it seems that I could have kept both factions alive if I'd left the original BoS leader in control, but that was hours ago in-game, so I guess what's done is done.

All things said though, even with the issues the game has, it's still one of the best I've played this year. I'm going to shelve it now for a while until they release a patch or two and then I plan to replay it from the beginning with a very different character.

I love how the RPGness actually matters in terms of skills and picking perks. It looks like I could go through the game as a high intelligence scientist who use energy weapons and not miss a beat.

Second time around, I went through the game as a high intelligence science/medicine/energy weapons character, and it went reasonably well -- aside from picking Meltdown with little fallback for close combat, that is.

Serengeti wrote:
Spoiler:

During the pre-Vegas game, I'd also built some very close ties with both the BoS and NCR. It really bothered me in the end that, in order to progress to the final battle via the NCR storyline, I was forced to wipe out the BoS. I was idolized by both factions so to suddenly have to betray them to finish the game seemed like being forced to make a choice that my character would not have made.

Reading some spoilers on the F:NV forums, it seems that I could have kept both factions alive if I'd left the original BoS leader in control, but that was hours ago in-game, so I guess what's done is done.

Spoiler:

I actually liked that the NCR asked you to straight up murder the Brotherhood of Steel. It does a lot to turn the choice between the Legion and the NCR from a simple white hat-black hat choice to a case of black and gray morality.

Alien Love Gardener wrote:
Serengeti wrote:
Spoiler:

During the pre-Vegas game, I'd also built some very close ties with both the BoS and NCR. It really bothered me in the end that, in order to progress to the final battle via the NCR storyline, I was forced to wipe out the BoS. I was idolized by both factions so to suddenly have to betray them to finish the game seemed like being forced to make a choice that my character would not have made.

Reading some spoilers on the F:NV forums, it seems that I could have kept both factions alive if I'd left the original BoS leader in control, but that was hours ago in-game, so I guess what's done is done.

Spoiler:

I actually liked that the NCR asked you to straight up murder the Brotherhood of Steel. It does a lot to turn the choice between the Legion and the NCR from a simple white hat-black hat choice to a case of black and gray morality.

Spoiler:

I can definitely see that, but my characters choice in the matter would have been to walk away and say "do your own dirty work", in my mind. The main problem I had was that there was no way for me to resolve the storyline from there. I know I can't expect the game to cover every possible storyline, but... dammit, they should! :-)

Serengeti wrote:
Alien Love Gardener wrote:
Serengeti wrote:
Spoiler:

During the pre-Vegas game, I'd also built some very close ties with both the BoS and NCR. It really bothered me in the end that, in order to progress to the final battle via the NCR storyline, I was forced to wipe out the BoS. I was idolized by both factions so to suddenly have to betray them to finish the game seemed like being forced to make a choice that my character would not have made.

Reading some spoilers on the F:NV forums, it seems that I could have kept both factions alive if I'd left the original BoS leader in control, but that was hours ago in-game, so I guess what's done is done.

Spoiler:

I actually liked that the NCR asked you to straight up murder the Brotherhood of Steel. It does a lot to turn the choice between the Legion and the NCR from a simple white hat-black hat choice to a case of black and gray morality.

Spoiler:

I can definitely see that, but my characters choice in the matter would have been to walk away and say "do your own dirty work", in my mind. The main problem I had was that there was no way for me to resolve the storyline from there. I know I can't expect the game to cover every possible storyline, but... dammit, they should! :-)

Spoiler:

Couldn't you work with Yes Man at that point? I think it makes sense that you wouldn't get an NCR-friendly ending if you simply tell off the NCR. That said, by the time they asked me to do that, I had already blown up their bunker, so...

Yay spoiler cascade!

Grubber788 wrote:
Spoiler:

Couldn't you work with Yes Man at that point? I think it makes sense that you wouldn't get an NCR-friendly ending if you simply tell off the NCR. That said, by the time they asked me to do that, I had already blown up their bunker, so...

Spoiler:

Hmm, hadn't thought of that. I suppose if I told Yes Man to ignore the NCR and BoS, then technically I wouldn't be betraying either one... I'll load up my save from before the decision point and give that a shot. Thanks!

Serengeti wrote:
Grubber788 wrote:
Spoiler:

Couldn't you work with Yes Man at that point? I think it makes sense that you wouldn't get an NCR-friendly ending if you simply tell off the NCR. That said, by the time they asked me to do that, I had already blown up their bunker, so...

Spoiler:

Hmm, hadn't thought of that. I suppose if I told Yes Man to ignore the NCR and BoS, then technically I wouldn't be betraying either one... I'll load up my save from before the decision point and give that a shot. Thanks!

Spoiler:

Err, technically, the NCR will see it as a betrayal, but you can be civil about it :/

Spoiler:

You guys gotta be kidding me with all these spoilers :)

I think it might be time for a spoiler thread.

Boy, the Xander root (when dropped from inventory) really reminds me of a model/item from System Shock 2, but I can't put my finger on which one.

So you've finished Vault 34...

Spoiler:

Did you save the remaining Vault dwellers or shut down the reactor. I can't seem to find any signs of life and have one door that I can't open because it requires a key. I could also swear that there was a computer somewhere that needed a 100 skill, but I can't find that anymore either. I found several key cards so maybe that's why. I'd just like to know how to get that door on the lower level open.

Sensical wrote:
Spoiler:

You guys gotta be kidding me with all these spoilers :)

Well some folks, including myself, get really annoyed when you give away too much info.

There is a lot of white space on this page.

To go a bit back on the DR/DT thing, DR is calculated AFTER DT. DT is a flat reduction and DR is a percentage reduction after the DT reduction.
Example: Baddie is going to deal 50 damage. You have 10 DT and 10 DR. 40 damage would be dealt after DT check and that is further reduced by 10% dealing 36 damage.

Interestingly (as DT was taken out of Fallout 3) DR is very rare in New Vegas, only making an appearance through Slasher (25), Med-X (25), and the re-breather mask (3). So enemies shouldn't ever have a DR rating (presumingly) though I HAVE seen them pop stimpacks so it's possible they could actually USE chems. And it's also possible that some guys may have a natural DR rating (like fiends or khans) to fit with their lore based chem usage... I'll have to load up the GECK and check that out later.

Edit: well, it seems there is no 'natural' DT OR DR stat for anything. Instead things like radscorpions or deathclaws have effects on them that give them increased DT. Same thing goes for humans except they have the effect of whatever armor/clothing they are wearing. This seems strange as I'm sure I've encountered human enemies that have more DT than what their armor SHOULD give. I could be wrong there though.

Also, some interesting stuff in the GECK. A whole bunch of Fallout 3 data is in there (behemoths, Flak and Shrapnel, bobblehead effects, and what seems like most of the old weapons). And most of the NPCs have fairly high rad resist ratings (I assume this is to prevent them from wandering into some goop and dieing).

[quote=Ballotechnic]So you've finished Vault 34...

Spoiler:

Did you save the remaining Vault dwellers or shut down the reactor. I can't seem to find any signs of life and have one door that I can't open because it requires a key. I could also swear that there was a computer somewhere that needed a 100 skill, but I can't find that anymore either. I found several key cards so maybe that's why. I'd just like to know how to get that door on the lower level open.

Spoiler:

You would have picked up passwords in the flooded areas that let you log into the terminal, which other door are you talking about?

Is there a robot, or any other NPC telling nerd jokes?

oMonarca wrote:

Is there a robot, or any other NPC telling nerd jokes?

I've not found any so far, but some of the dialog has been hilarious; I love No-Bark Noonan and the scientist in the power plant.

Ah ha! I remembered what the xander root reminded me of; the good ol' Annelid psi organ from System Shock 2. Sadly, this was the biggest image I could find:
IMAGE(http://shrines.rpgclassics.com/pc/sysshock2/pictures/psiorgan.gif)

So far my first story/adventure mod for New Vegas is coming along swimmingly; I'm hoping to have it done within a week. Here's a small teaser shot:
IMAGE(http://www.pucemoose.com/pics/gearl.jpg)

i38warhawk wrote:

So you've finished Vault 34...

After double checking some things it turns out I just overlooked a switch. I'm really torn between

Spoiler:

leaving the power on so the folks can get out and closing the reactor to clean up the water. I chose to clean up the water but I honestly feel kind of terrible about it. Good of the many kind of scenario.

Ballotechnic wrote:

So you've finished Vault 34...

Spoiler:

I went the same way, might have been a harder choice if you could see or interact with the people that were trapped.

i38warhawk wrote:
Ballotechnic wrote:

So you've finished Vault 34...

Spoiler:

I went the same way, might have been a harder choice if you could see or interact with the people that were trapped.

True that... I went with the few and was disappointed by your spoiler when no one gave me any props.

Puce Moose wrote:
oMonarca wrote:

Is there a robot, or any other NPC telling nerd jokes?

I've not found any so far, but some of the dialog has been hilarious; I love No-Bark Noonan and the scientist in the power plant.

Ah ha! I remembered what the xander root reminded me of; the good ol' Annelid psi organ from System Shock 2. Sadly, this was the biggest image I could find:
IMAGE(http://shrines.rpgclassics.com/pc/sysshock2/pictures/psiorgan.gif)

So far my first story/adventure mod for New Vegas is coming along swimmingly; I'm hoping to have it done within a week. Here's a small teaser shot:
IMAGE(http://www.pucemoose.com/pics/gearl.jpg)

Looking forward to it!

Puce Moose wrote:

So far my first story/adventure mod for New Vegas is coming along swimmingly; I'm hoping to have it done within a week. Here's a small teaser shot:
IMAGE(http://www.pucemoose.com/pics/gearl.jpg)

What, no Manchester Mine or Tiger Manufacturing? I feel robbed!

Love your work, Puce. Looking forward to the mods, and probably bugging you for hints...again.

It was mentioned much further up thread, and trying not to be too spoiler-y, but if you pursue ED-E's quest don't leave anything valuable in him until it's completed. I bears repeating.

Really getting into the game. Once I dropped Boone as my primary companion (he was engaging before I could assess the situation) and picked up Raul things combat/exploration clicked a lot more. This coincided with me buying a Hunting Rifle + scope. I'm a machine.

I like that, due to being a sniper character, I don't have to wear the best possible armour. I'm going with stylish over substance (Desparado Cowboy Hat, Shades, and Reinforced Leather Armour).

I've pretty evenly used all the NPCs I've come across (Raul, Boone, Cass, Veronica, and ED-E). Raul is my default but I'm rolling with Cass to do some work on her questline. Actually finding them useful to have around. In F3 beyond Charon I didn't think any of the NPCs were fun. So far all of the companions kick ass.

Vastly prefer the use of skills, SPECIAL, and Perks in this to F3. Much better RPG experience.

The more I play the more I realize how much better thought out of a world this is than F3. It actual feels like Humans have made progress in rebuilding while in the Capital Wasteland other than 2 cities there's not much in the way of settlements. It helps that each settlement references each other and you have characters talking about trading and their own movement between them.

I'm glad these guys got a chance to explore the NCR. They were touched on in Fallout 2 but weren't a factor.

Had my first CTD. I save often so I lost maybe 2 minutes. Autosave is working great for me too.

There are so many weapons available I feel a bit overwhelmed. I'll stick to my various pistols and rifles for the time being.