1. A Review by Matthew Sable CIS 487 9/24/07
Fallout 2:
A Review by Matthew Sable
CIS 487
9/24/07

2. What is Fallout 2? Created by Interplay & Black Isle Studios
Turn-based RPG
Post-Apocolyptic with retro theme.
Emphasis not on “flashy” graphics

3. Minimum System Requirements
Windows 95 Environment
Pentium 90
16 MB of RAM
SVGA Video Card capable of utilizing DirectX 5.0
4x CD-ROM drive
30 MB hard drive space MB full install

4. Story of Fallout 2
In the 21rst century, non-renewable resources still reign supreme.
2077: Nuclear World War 3
2161: Vault 13 & the water chip
Founding of the village of Arroyo by ancestor
2241: Descendant of the “Vault Dweller” searches for the G.E.C.K.

6. Gameplay Turn-based combat with “Action Points.”
Movement of a character through clicking on area, similar to “Diablo”
Standard tabletop RPG-style character sheet with bonus traits.
Drag & drop inventory & equipment changes.
Multiple NPC’s with both vocal and nonvocal dialogue.
Cursor used for “Skilldex” operation & area searching
Map movement facilitated by classic car.

7. Combat Based on hit percentage and use of “Action Points.”
Color coded target system
“Aimed shots” cause critical damage

9. Character Creation Distribution of 7 base stats. 2 tag skills
2 optional “traits” which influence the later choice of “perks”

10. Look & Feel
Derived from corny sci-fi & nuclear paranoia of the 1950’s.
“Retro-tech:” giant computers, old-fashioned electronics.
Rusty, worn-out menu system
Pipboy 2000
Music is atmospheric noise
Strong emphasis on pop-culture references & dry humor

11. Fallout 2 Imagery

13. What makes the game fun? Easy learning curve
Involved, plausible, dynamic plot
Interesting sub-quests & random encounters
Relevant, witty humor & jabs at pop-culture
Excellent use of ambient effects

15. Fallout 2 Pitfalls
LOTS of unfixed bugs that cause random crashes, unfinished quests & manipulated characters
Character movement in cramped spaces
Inability to see some treasure clearly, pixel hunting
The ability to make “Super characters”
Poor NPC AI

16. Conclusion Comparible to prequel in many ways.
Rated “M” for subject matter.
$15.00 rerelease DVD-ROM with other 2 Fallout titles, bonus features & original manuals in pdf format.
Fallout 3 due for release in Fall 2008