[disappeared]

I just always aimed at their heads with whatever weapon I was using. Explore a lot and you'll rarely run out of ammo or money to get ammo and you'll usually find better guns too. The game is insanely easy on the default difficulty since it's hard to run into enemies you're "not supposed" to meet due to Bethesda's....lovely...scaling

VATS is pretty much "shoot for the head" all the time, but sometimes it pays to try and cripple an appendage to render an enemy's weapon useless. It also works on Deathclaws and crippling their legs so they can't fucking chase your sorry ass.

[Hydrogen Bluebird]

Game gets easier once you get to wear power armor and use energy weapons. This is after the project purity story quest and you get to visit the citadel for the first time. Prior to this part, game is a little hard even in normal difficulty. Enemies usually have stronger equipment and you get low on ammo and supplies.

[scytheavatar]

I just started playing this game, its fun, but i hate the combat. I have to waste a lot of ammo on just 1 guy with my pistol with 5 dmg or a rifle with 15 in the normal difficulty, even the VATS doesn't seem to help me killing them faster. I also end up losing a lot of my health if i happen to cross 2 enemies at once. What am i missing? It feels like im playing on hard. Also sucks how everytime i tab out of the game from Steam, i can't go back without restarting the damn game! I dont want to play in windowed mode.

Are your weapons fully repaired? Your weapons will do shit damage if their condition isn't good. Early on it's best for you to stay away from guns and rely on Spiked/Brass Knuckles, which will destroy those raiders a lot quicker than guns and conserve your ammo. Use guns only when your Small Guns/Repair skills are high enough, and you should put points in them only after putting points into Lockpick and Science (I usually bring Lockpick up to 75 ASAP and get Science up to 50).

[CrazyDude]

I generally used melee weapons for most of the game.

[Lancehead]

I haven't played Fallout 3 on Very Hard, but did so with New Vegas, and VATS is very useful. Aiming for the legs of a Deathclaw is much more difficult in real-time than in VATS. I targeted heads only to finish off enemies, before crippling their arms or legs.

[Bisnic]

Game froze twice today... Is this common on the Steam version?

[Hydrogen Bluebird]

Game freeze is common across all versions i think, and most frequent on the PS3.

[NBtoaster]

Game froze twice today... Is this common on the Steam version?

If you have more than 2 cores, do this:

In fallout.ini (in your documents folder) change:
bUseThreadedAI=1

And add this line to [General]:
iNumHWThreads=2

Fixes most crashes.

[Thrakier]

Game has great potential but is pretty flawed. The combat is a mix beteen a pretty bad ego-shooter and a bad tactical combat system. The back pedalling is a joke, a relic from Oblivion (where it wasn't a big problem because of melee gameplay) which just wasn't fixed. So it's not fish and not flesh, something inbetween and it lacks a great execution as well.

The engine is old ass. I know, gameplay > graphics and blabla, but in an RPG atmosphere and immersion is a huge part of the overall enjoyment, at least for me. So the game doesn't need to be super pretty with latest technology, but it needs an convincig art style which is executed well on the technical side. Both is missing in Fallout, the game is way too sterile, characters are horrible in every way (faces, animation, KI, the way they just stand around as they don't give a shit).

Overall it's a 6-7 / 10 because the content is definitly there, but it's far from great imo. I would've much more prefered a Fallout more like 2 and 1 and an engine which goes all out regarind graphical detail, love put into the small thinks and an amazing and deep combat system. Would've sold much worse though because average joe wants his shooter action.

[Bisnic]

I grew tired of the game pretty fast... i think the fugly environment of brown and grey was too much for me. At some point, i also was tired of seeing those same metro stations again and again. VATS accuracy sucks unless you're very close, which means i'll probably lose half my health if there is more than one enemy. Plus finding my way around a Washington in ruins is a pain in the ass.

I loved Skyrim enough to play for nearly 100 hours, even with all those look alike caves and towers, but Fallout 3... i just cant do it. I guess Skyrim's world was much more interesting and beautiful to look at.

[NaturalHigh]

I grew tired of the game pretty fast... i think the fugly environment of brown and grey was too much for me. At some point, i also was tired of seeing those same metro stations again and again. VATS accuracy sucks unless you're very close, which means i'll probably lose half my health if there is more than one enemy. Plus finding my way around a Washington in ruins is a pain in the ass. I loved Skyrim enough to play for nearly 100 hours, even with all those look alike caves and towers, but Fallout 3... i just cant do it. I guess Skyrim's world was much more interesting and beautiful to look at.

I beat FO 3 once. I feel the same way. Vegas is infinitely better. Skyrim is just short.

[Dachande]

Ba-bump. I've started playing this again out of boredom - I've played FO3 when it came out, but finished it before any of the expansions came out and never tried them.

I got the GOTY edition at one point and I'm about to hit level 9 in the main world pretty soon, and I reckon I'm about ready to hit up the new areas.

Which order do people recommend I go for them in? I gather they're pretty meaty and have lots to do, but which first?!

[Fjordson]

Ba-bump. I've started playing this again out of boredom - I've played FO3 when it came out, but finished it before any of the expansions came out and never tried them. I got the GOTY edition at one point and I'm about to hit level 9 in the main world pretty soon, and I reckon I'm about ready to hit up the new areas. Which order do people recommend I go for them in? I gather they're pretty meaty and have lots to do, but which first?!

By new areas, do you mean the DLC's?

[Tex117]

Loved the atmosphere, but the better writing of the two goes to New Vegas.

Still loved it though.

[HP_Wuvcraft]

Simple RPG elements: I think many people will agree in that the first time one plays an rpg, they should not immediately have a full understanding of how everything works.

Why not?

The leveling up system is dramatically simple.

You kill something, you explore, your skill gets through, you get EXP. What's the problem with that?

Although, and Bethesda always does this, the end-level perks (especially for the DLC) make you basically God. That's no fun.

[Dachande]

By new areas, do you mean the DLC's?

Yeah.

[hemtae]

Yeah.

Don't go to Point Lockout. The stuff there is pretty high level. The Anchorage thing is pretty easy so I would go there first. I don't remember Mothership Zeta or the Pitt being all that hard but I did it after Point Lookout.

[Raptomex]

I prefer New Vegas although this is a great game from what I played. Is it just me or does anyone else have a crashing problem with this game? I can't go an hour without it crashing at least 3 times. I mean NV has it's share of problems but not this. Also, I'm going to say this, I'm assuming a heavily modified FO3 must be amazing, at least it is with NV.

[hemtae]

I prefer New Vegas although this is a great game from what I played. Is it just me or does anyone else have a crashing problem with this game? I can't go an hour without it crashing at least 3 times. I mean NV has it's share of problems but not this. Also, I'm going to say this, I'm assuming a heavily modified FO3 must be amazing, at least it is with NV.

Many people have had that problem. I'm pretty sure you can change a value in the .ini file to get it to be more stable.

Also I can never return to vanilla Bethesda games after having them modded.

[Fjordson]

Yeah.

Check out Operation Anchorage first. It's not too hard, can be done at low levels, and you get some sweet loot. I've always been of the opinion that getting to play through a lot of the main game with the loot you get from DLC is more fun than just saving all of it until the end when you have nothing left to do.

Mothership Zeta also has some good loot and can be done early on.

After that, I'd say The Pitt. I remember doing that one when I was like...level 15 or 16?

Point Lookout is my favourite of the DLC's, but it can be pretty tough. I'd suggest waiting until you're at least level 18 or so.

And Broken Steel can only be done after the main quest.

[Raptomex]

Many people have had that problem. I'm pretty sure you can change a value in the .ini file to get it to be more stable. Also I can never return to vanilla Bethesda games after having them modded.

A value you say? This is news to me. And yeah, that sounds right. I will never, EVER play a console Bethesda game ever again either.

[Dachande]

Alright, cheers guys. I'm gonna do Operation Anchorage about now, and then probably raid that place where the vendor who carries the Terrible Shotgun hangs out... want that back so badly.

[hemtae]

A value you say? This is news to me. And yeah, that sounds right. I will never, EVER play a console Bethesda game ever again either.

It's like iNumThreads. Change from 1 to 2

[Horse Detective]

I can't tell you how happy I am that this was bumped by someone other than me.

*Cracks knuckles*

Lets talk Fallout kids.

[derwalde]

couldnt get into it. oblivion with guns, and i hated oblivion. as soon as i saw the faces....

[Horse Detective]

couldnt get into it. oblivion with guns, and i hated oblivion. as soon as i saw the faces....

But it is so much more!

[-BLITZ-]

If you have more than 2 cores, do this: In fallout.ini (in your documents folder) change: bUseThreadedAI=1 And add this line to [General]: iNumHWThreads=2 Fixes most crashes.

Ouh, I was reading this. I have those freezes on fast travel. I might try this out. Mine was is set to 0. I will see tonight if I still get this issue that I can't find its fix. 2 Cores here as well.

[Horse Detective]

No please! Not 2nd page already!

[maniac-kun]

Never played a Fallout game before.

So i got the GOTY Edition and just wanted to start the game:

What character builds are good? What is a good choice for a stealth char?

[Horse Detective]

Never played a Fallout game before. So i got the GOTY Edition and just wanted to start the game: What character builds are good? What is a good choice for a stealth char?

9 Intelligence, 6 luck.

This has always been my favorite build since speech options and rewards happen very often in the game.

Also, maximum experience and skill points.

[maniac-kun]

9 Intelligence, 6 luck. This has always been my favorite build since speech options and rewards happen very often in the game. Also, maximum experience and skill points.

Thanks

Also found this youtube video about stealth with an item / skill list:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YcqTDHSIY3k&feature=g-wl

Just showing how effective stealth can be in Fallout 3 if it's done correctly. If you want to play stealth, i recommend these items/stats; -Recon Armor/Chineese Stealth armor (Anchorage DLC) -Silenced 10mm Pistol/ Inflintrator (Pitt DLC)/ Preforator (Pitt DLC, bring 90 steel ingots to Everette) Combat Knife/Trench Knife (Anchorage DLC) Stats used; Sneak 100 Small Guns 100 Melee Weapons 47 Helpful Perks; Silent Running Grim Reaper's Sprint (not exactly stealth, but it still helps a lot) Mister Sandman Fineese Better Criticals (Not used in this vid) (50% improved critical strikes, so imagine a sneak attack critical with this perk and the stats above)

[Atruvius]

Thanks Also found this youtube video about stealth with an item / skill list: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YcqTDHSIY3k&feature=g-wl

You can also safely put Charisma to 1. It's useless in Fallout 3.

[Horse Detective]

I made a mistake in my response...

Speech skill is increased by charisma, not intelligence, though having intelligence at 9 is still recommended for maximum skill points.

I always tag speech, repair, and small guns, though energy weapons is also a good tag.

My first and favourite Fallout game. Never got to play the DLCs. :(

Broken Steel is pretty much the only one that I think is worth paying for.

[Canis lupus]

My first and favourite Fallout game. Never got to play the DLCs. :(

[spirity]

Broken Steel is pretty much the only one that I think is worth paying for.

Point Lookout was my favourite dlc.

[Horse Detective]

Point Lookout was my favourite dlc.

I definitely prefer it over MZ, Pitt, and Anchorage. Oh god, Anchorage.

[szaromir]

Broken Steel is pretty much the only one that I think is worth paying for.

What if you paid €5 for F3 GOTY edition?

[Horse Detective]

What if you paid €5 for F3 GOTY edition?

If you haven't played any of the DLCs yet, then that amount for a new experience is surely worth it...

[Monkeylord]

Thanks Also found this youtube video about stealth with an item / skill list: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YcqTDHSIY3k&feature=g-wl

I've been wanting to fire this up again and get my last few remaining achievements, and stealth is my fav way of playing. I may give these stats a try.

[SixFourMike]

F3 (PS3, GOTY) is one of the only games I've ever basically 100%'d twice (and come close before that, but not by trying).

I'll probably buy it on PC, mod it, and play it for another 30 hours at some point.

I've just realised that I never played Anchorage without doing the Gary 23 glitch that allows you to take the infinite durability items with you from the simulation back into the main game. Not that anything outside of the Gauss rifle is really useful.

[gblues]

Picked up the GOTY edition last night for $4.99. Feels goodman. No crashes so far (except for one related to alt-tab).

Tweaking the INI file helps a lot. It's gamebryo, and so if you've messed with Oblivion or Skyrim you have a pretty good idea of what you can do.

NOTE: The copy you need to edit will be in My Documents\My Games\Fallout3\. The file won't exist until you've launched the game at least once. When applying the edits below, make sure you comment out the original version of the line (if applicable) rather than just editing it; that way it's easier to revert. For example, the uGridsToLoad would end up looking like this:

;uGridsToLoad=5
uGridsToLoad=9

My tweaks are below:

[General]
iNumHWThreads=2; this will help prevent crashing on >2-core systems
bUseThreadedAI=1; also helps on >2-core systems
uGridsToLoad=9; must be odd #, don't recommend going higher due to 2GB memory cap
uExterior Cell Buffer=100; this should always be [uGridsToLoad+1] ^2

The uGridsToLoad has the same effect as skyrim--the "detailed world" bubble around your character is bigger, so LOD issues are much less apparent.