Probably one of the best RPG games out there, and I like how so much of this game's storytelling puts you right into this headspace where you make a bunch of really murky moral decisions. It's really challenging in a way, also where it refuses to hold your hand, and you kind of have to figure out things yourself through reading notes, interacting with NPCs and scrolling through a list of really dynamic speech options - where things can really go badly if you're not careful. It's very easy to say something wrong and either have people disowning you or turning hostile and attacking you, and also the fact that anyone can be killed (even if it kind of screws up your progress if you do so.)
I wound up becoming really immersed in this game, and it's pretty atypical when you compare it to modern Fallout titles like Fallout 3 and New Vegas - where this game has an isometric view and a turn-based combat system. Speaking of which, something I thought a lot about when playing this game was just how brutal and unfair it was - with a lot of the underlying gameplay depending heavily on random chance (they literally encourage you to save often, which is highly recommending considering how brutal this game can be.), so the crux of the gameplay goes with combining tactics with dice rolls where things can either go badly wrong or miraculous based off of essentially random chance.
Felt it was really interesting, because a lot of modern RPG games (like Fallout 3 and Skyrim) have it so that you hit whatever you're pointing at - and where some people refer to this game as having an "antiquated combat system." which is definitely true. It has its own unique charm, but it has a lot of stuff you really wouldn't be able to get away with today in terms of its gameplay mechanics. Not that I'm saying its a bad thing, but it is one of those games you'd probably start off with being frustrated at the fact you can't murder a giant rat. Companions are absolutely essential for the early portions of the game (one of which can be found in Shady Sands very early in the game, and two of which can be found in Junktown just a bit later), because of the level of firepower they bring into combat, making it much easier. Although, it's also advised to be careful because the AI can often mean they run into combat and get killed or they can block your path and cause you to be stuck - where there's (to my knowledge) no real way to circumvent that other than reloading a save.
Aside from that, there's also a lot of texture and nuance that goes into everything else from the environments to the characters - and just the variety of ways you can solve problems in this game. It does kind of force you into combat and killing quite a lot of the time, but it does also favour talking, stealth and peacefully resolving issues at some points - although definitely within reason of the situations you encounter. I got through this game with a character with a lot of charisma and intelligence, before investing heavily in heavy weapons towards the end of the game - but still often favouring not getting into fights if I could.
Just a really good game all around. Definitely has its flaws, but there's also a lot to this game that feels unique and fresh - even when comparing it to subsequent Fallout titles.
P.S. Also, get the power armor when you can. There are virtually zero drawbacks to it, providing tonnes of damage resistance and is essential for being able to combat the super mutants towards the end of the game.
I wound up becoming really immersed in this game, and it's pretty atypical when you compare it to modern Fallout titles like Fallout 3 and New Vegas - where this game has an isometric view and a turn-based combat system. Speaking of which, something I thought a lot about when playing this game was just how brutal and unfair it was - with a lot of the underlying gameplay depending heavily on random chance (they literally encourage you to save often, which is highly recommending considering how brutal this game can be.), so the crux of the gameplay goes with combining tactics with dice rolls where things can either go badly wrong or miraculous based off of essentially random chance.
Felt it was really interesting, because a lot of modern RPG games (like Fallout 3 and Skyrim) have it so that you hit whatever you're pointing at - and where some people refer to this game as having an "antiquated combat system." which is definitely true. It has its own unique charm, but it has a lot of stuff you really wouldn't be able to get away with today in terms of its gameplay mechanics. Not that I'm saying its a bad thing, but it is one of those games you'd probably start off with being frustrated at the fact you can't murder a giant rat. Companions are absolutely essential for the early portions of the game (one of which can be found in Shady Sands very early in the game, and two of which can be found in Junktown just a bit later), because of the level of firepower they bring into combat, making it much easier. Although, it's also advised to be careful because the AI can often mean they run into combat and get killed or they can block your path and cause you to be stuck - where there's (to my knowledge) no real way to circumvent that other than reloading a save.
Aside from that, there's also a lot of texture and nuance that goes into everything else from the environments to the characters - and just the variety of ways you can solve problems in this game. It does kind of force you into combat and killing quite a lot of the time, but it does also favour talking, stealth and peacefully resolving issues at some points - although definitely within reason of the situations you encounter. I got through this game with a character with a lot of charisma and intelligence, before investing heavily in heavy weapons towards the end of the game - but still often favouring not getting into fights if I could.
Just a really good game all around. Definitely has its flaws, but there's also a lot to this game that feels unique and fresh - even when comparing it to subsequent Fallout titles.
P.S. Also, get the power armor when you can. There are virtually zero drawbacks to it, providing tonnes of damage resistance and is essential for being able to combat the super mutants towards the end of the game.