Fallout 3

There's something about the Fallout franchise that's managed to spark an almost primal wanderlust within me time and again. From its vast expanse of desolate wasteland that lies patiently waiting to be scavenged, to a myriad of sporadic human settlements that beckon the adventurer within, Fallout has always boasted of a post-apocalyptic world that's both dark and grungy, and brimming with hope and life at the same time. This play of contrasts in both – the plot of all the Fallout games, and their world/setting in its entirety – has been the most alluring device at the franchise's proposal.

Basking in the glory of its accomplished lineage, Fallout 3 (FO3) hasn't strayed too far from its roots in most areas. But the areas in which they've veered have undoubtedly played out in favor of the game. The most salient change in this iteration is that from the isometric view (which used to be customary to RPGs back in the day) to the more action-oriented first (and third) person view that accommodates the relatively pacier gameplay of FO3 much better. While purists may be displeased with this paradigm shift from the turn-based focus of the original games to the robust action-oriented ways of FO3, I could not be more delighted at the outcome of such a fundamental change in the combat system.

You see, the combat in the first two Fallout games took a turn-based approach that was based completely on its Action Points (APs) system. Every time your character entered combat the game would freeze, giving you a chance to perform many actions such as shooting an enemy or moving in your character, each of which would use up your APs. Once you ended your turn or ran out of APs, the enemy AI would follow up with their moves and this would go on much like a game of chess, until one side bit the dust.

Then Fallout Tactics: Brotherhood of Steel was released, which offered a real-time approach to its gameplay, which I admit was hard to get used to, but was equally fantastic. As part of the continued evolution of the combat system, FO3 uses the best of both worlds to formulate a system that offers both a fast-paced combat system, as well as some of the strategic value that's always been a part of the Fallout franchise.

How is this possible? For one, they've done away with the turn-based system altogether. In its place is a highly unique hybrid of real-time first person combat system, where you aim and shoot in real time just like any other FPS out there, and the new and upgraded VATS, or Vault-Tek Assisted Targeting System. Pressing the VATS key during combat brings you to a screen similar to the older Fallout games, where you can pick a body part you wish to attack on any of the enemies around you, and the game will show you how likely you are to hit the body part with your weapon.