Fallout 3 Impressions PC Edition: now with more 8-Bit JRPG!

[Daehawk]

sorry daehawk, that's the art book, not the manual.  that one's inside (but still good imo)

DOH. You're right of course. I kept thinking art book and ce manual together and forgot the lunchbox had it's own.

[Jeff]

Steam download has started...just need to hope that I continue to get >350KB speed.

I just came home for lunch and started the download. Amazingly, I'm getting 1.3 MB/sec.

edit: now at 1.6MB/sec. Kudos to Valve for improving their hardware or whatever it is they've done lately. The game should be ready to play when I get home from work later. Woot!

[kathode]

i totally missed the lockpicking tuturial...  hope it's in the manual or guide. 

There are a long series of help pages in the menus (hit escape) that should have this info if you missed it.

[Orgull]

Only played a bit, but so far, despite being patently different from the first two games, it FEELS like Fallout. I'm impressed so far.

[Caine]

i totally missed the lockpicking tuturial...  hope it's in the manual or guide. 

There are a long series of help pages in the menus (hit escape) that should have this info if you missed it.

thanks kathode.  i read through the page in the manual, but i got a feeling this is one of those "learn by doing it" kind of things.  at least it isn't entirely up to your stat.  reminds me a bit of thief's style, actually.

[jersoc]

Well escaped the vault and wandering around megaton right. I'm able to run everything max and it runs like a dream. Game even defaulted to the max settings, woot.

Doing small weapons and energy weapons right now. So far it's pretty fun. The atmosphere is great.

[Daehawk]

Hamlet3145 over @ OO says the following...might help some on the Steam downloads....

Steam download tip from their Fallout 3 forum:

Exit Steam then delete (or just rename if you are nervous) the file clientregistry.blob from the Steam root folder. Apparently it resets some cache and that speeds things up.

I swear to Baby Jesus that doing this shot my DL speed up from 60k to 350k - 450k.

[Scraper]

Well escaped the vault and wandering around megaton right. I'm able to run everything max and it runs like a dream. Game even defaulted to the max settings, woot.

Doing small weapons and energy weapons right now. So far it's pretty fun. The atmosphere is great.

What are your specs?

[Blackadar]

Ok, for those who have it, some of us with motion sickness issues have a very important question:

Is Fallout 3 playable in all areas (exploration, combat) in a 3rd person view?  And, if so, is that an over-the-shoulder 3rd person view or a zoomed-out BG2 3rd person view?

If it's 1st person, then I'm out...puke chunks don't go well with a keyboard.

[Turtle]

Still waiting to play it, but I know that they specifically worked on the 3rd person view to make it fully playable in that mode.

[Arnir]

I may be missing something, but it says that you have to sign into Games for Windows - Live to use the autosave.  I don't understand this - what am I missing?  I have a Windows live profile but apparently I need a Games for Windows live account.  The software won't seem to let me create one.  I go to the website and it says it is "down for maintenance."  I'm assuming that means so many people got Fallout 3 that the system is swamped?

I did get it finally to set up a new account for me - it was my fault because I didn't complete it.  I didn't want to join XBox live as I don't have an XBox, but apparently you do need that even if it is Windows live.  Whatever the case is, it works, or at least it appears to.  I also learned to escape out of the dialog box to get back to the menu or else you log out of Live.  I don't know if I have selected a storage device or not as it isn't asking me yet.  This crappy Xbox interface doesn't make me feel good about what is ahead.  Hopefully I'm just wrong!

[Moliere]

Steam download has started...just need to hope that I continue to get >350KB speed.

Still downloading...

[warning]

80% now.  Hurry plz.  Thx.

[Kevin Grey]

Somebody PLEASE tell me that this game has gamepad support and I just can't find the option.  I bought the PC version planning on playing it on my HDTV so I would get the best of both worlds- better load times and graphics on a much bigger TV.  But using a mouse and keyboard on the couch gives me carpal tunnel.  But I figured since it's pretty much identical to the 360/PS3 version and is GFW certified and all then surely it would support the 360 gamepad.  Right?  Please?  I'm just missing a really obvious option? 

[Sarkus]

Ok, for those who have it, some of us with motion sickness issues have a very important question:

Is Fallout 3 playable in all areas (exploration, combat) in a 3rd person view?  And, if so, is that an over-the-shoulder 3rd person view or a zoomed-out BG2 3rd person view?

If it's 1st person, then I'm out...puke chunks don't go well with a keyboard.

It's more or less playable in 3rd person IMHO.  I kind of like it, to be honest.  It's basically the over the shoulder version (specifically over the right shoulder) and you can adjust the zoom to an extent.  That said, it can be hard to fight because the character may get in the way of your targeting reticule when shooting.  Enemies to the left of the character are hard to see sometimes.  Not a problem in VATS, of course, but it is in real time, where the combat tends to be quick.

The biggest issue, however, is that the animations aren't all that great and the camera can get weird.  Outside in the wasteland it isn't as noticeable, but in the vault at the start you notice the "ice skater" effect when moving around and the camera will adjust its zoom if you rotate it into a well or under something.  Plus, even in third person the game shows glimpses of first-person.  If you pull up the Pip-boy, that's in first person.  Conversations are in first person.  When you put down your pip-boy you get a moment of first person before it switches back to third.  So, I would say it's workable but not polished and kind of clunky.  Kind of like Oblivion.

[Sarkus]

Somebody PLEASE tell me that this game has gamepad support and I just can't find the option.  I bought the PC version planning on playing it on my HDTV so I would get the best of both worlds- better load times and graphics on a much bigger TV.  But using a mouse and keyboard on the couch gives me carpal tunnel.  But I figured since it's pretty much identical to the 360/PS3 version and is GFW certified and all then surely it would support the 360 gamepad.  Right?  Please?  I'm just missing a really obvious option? 

Yes, it supports the 360 gamepad.  Just plug it in to your PC.

[Kevin Grey]

Somebody PLEASE tell me that this game has gamepad support and I just can't find the option.  I bought the PC version planning on playing it on my HDTV so I would get the best of both worlds- better load times and graphics on a much bigger TV.  But using a mouse and keyboard on the couch gives me carpal tunnel.  But I figured since it's pretty much identical to the 360/PS3 version and is GFW certified and all then surely it would support the 360 gamepad.  Right?  Please?  I'm just missing a really obvious option? 

Yes, it supports the 360 gamepad.  Just plug it in to your PC.

I did but it's not working (though my windows control panel detects the gamepad just fine).  Or at least it won't control the main menu.  Guess I'll try getting into gameplay and seeing if it becomes active then. 

[StriderGG]

Quick impressions after 9 hours - the game is AWESOME!

[Sarkus]

Somebody PLEASE tell me that this game has gamepad support and I just can't find the option.  I bought the PC version planning on playing it on my HDTV so I would get the best of both worlds- better load times and graphics on a much bigger TV.  But using a mouse and keyboard on the couch gives me carpal tunnel.  But I figured since it's pretty much identical to the 360/PS3 version and is GFW certified and all then surely it would support the 360 gamepad.  Right?  Please?  I'm just missing a really obvious option? 

Yes, it supports the 360 gamepad.  Just plug it in to your PC.

I did but it's not working (though my windows control panel detects the gamepad just fine).  Or at least it won't control the main menu.  Guess I'll try getting into gameplay and seeing if it becomes active then. 

I don't know what to tell you . . . the logo is on the packaging and it says it supports it.  Maybe a visit Bethesda tech support is in order?

[Kevin Grey]

I don't know what to tell you . . . the logo is on the packaging and it says it supports it.  Maybe a visit Bethesda tech support is in order?

Looks like my gamepad drivers became hosed for some reason.  Reinstalling the drivers fixed the problem!

[Jeff]

Steam download has started...just need to hope that I continue to get >350KB speed.

Still downloading...

Yikes. I got lucky and got a good server I guess. I had mine in under 2 hrs. Came home from work, and it was "100% Ready".

Did yours ever finish?

Been playing for the past couple of hours, and very impressed so far. There are definitely some tough decisions to make.

Is the overseer's voice the same guy who was the bad guy in Half-Life 2? It sounds a lot like him.

[jersoc]

so like wtf. the mobs ramp up so freakin fast, seriously. my guns barely do any damage and half of them have automatics that make killing them damn near impossible. not only that but it takes almost a full clip to kill enemies at times. am i missing here or what? i barely have cash to afford anything right now. basically sorta getting screwed here.

[Moliere]

Yikes. I got lucky and got a good server I guess. I had mine in under 2 hrs. Came home from work, and it was "100% Ready".

Did yours ever finish?

No. Sitting at 71%. I tried deleting the file "clientregistry.blob" and it seemed to help for a few minutes then went back to sub 100KB download.

[Turtle]

I started playing this on my laptop at school  It still looked great despite the crappy mobile GPU.

I also have to say VATS is one of the best ideas ever for any RPG that wants to get away from the overhead RTS style control.  It works great.  Theoretically, it works so well that I could probably play the game without the classic WASD shooter controls, and instead use tank-like controls were left and right turned my character instead of strafing, and that's important for bringing a lot of new people into this new style of RPG.

[jersoc]

I only ever use VATS. Q up a few torso shots and if you crit they drop fast.

[kratz]

Cool.

I like it.

I like the collector's extras, too.

Graphically/design wise it really is kind of jaw dropping. 

I was nervous about Oblivion w/ guns, but it really has a much different feel.  I'm not too far yet, but what I've seen has been cool, and the quests seem to have more depth than the average RPG.

I think I over-murdered on my way out of the vault.  Someone is *pissed*.

[Orgull]

I just shot a guy's face off in close quarters combat to the chorus of America the Beautiful. It was the best gaming moment of my year so far. Classic.

I love VATS. I use it on all challenging targets and save free shooting for easy targets. Haven't died yet.

[Lordnine]

You can tip over cows! That made my night!

[Turtle]

I went all roid rage on radscorpions when I ran out of ammo for all my guns.  Pumped myself full of drugs and went at it with a combat knife, fun times.

Also, a tip:  Use water to heal yourself if not in a fight and use rad away to deal with the radiation, conserve your stims for important times and critical injuries.  Don't be afraid to just Fast Travel back to a place where you can sleep safely once out of harm's way.

I'm getting crash to desktops though, not often, but once a long play session.  Thankfully the game's auto saves work well, as does the quick save.

[ROTC1983]

You can tip over cows! That made my night!

No....way....I am going to have to try that now. 

[jersoc]

cant stop playing. man i really need to find a better weapon or something. those super mutants are a bitch to kill. level 7 now.

[Daehawk]

In case you cant find enough ammo or something.. CHEAT CODES!

Its a forum post with cheat codes on the Bethesda page. Says they are mostly the same ones as in Oblivion.

[warning]

I played a bit last night and am loving it.  I just got to Megaton.  The Sputnik robot probe-thing scared me at first.  I steered clear of it but it came over to check me out.  I kept waiting for it to go hostile on me.

I originally started the game right up and then later after about 5 minutes checked out the LIVE thing.  I then realized I could play with my Xbox Live account and now I'm getting achievements on my PC!  That's a weird thing.  I did have to restart the game with my Live account.

And I'm playing with the 360 controller which works amazingly well.  I just need to figure out how to switch weapons or holster a weapon.

I'm playing on a E8400 CPU, 3 gigs of RAM and a HD4850 and it's gorgeous at 1680x1050.  I had everything on Ultra while inside but once I got outside it stuttered just a bit so I dropped it all down to High and it flies now.  Lovely game.

[Daehawk]

Hold down R for a moment to holster your wep...unless you remapped hat key.

Page 29 of the manual, bottom of page under 'yielding'

[Kevin Grey]

And I'm playing with the 360 controller which works amazingly well.  I just need to figure out how to switch weapons or holster a weapon.

I'm having a weird stutter using the 360 controller when I pan horizontally.  It's not framerate since I'm getting a consistent 60 fps and it seems to go away when I go over to mouse control.  I suppose it might be the 360 controller itself- I'll need to try using a different controller and see if it resolves the issue. 

[jersoc]

holy crap, i cant believe its 8am rofl. this game is so freakin addicting. the hunter's rifle totally destroys super mutants btw. if you're lucky you can 1 shot them in the head. hold r mouse and crouch to increase your aim, helps a lot with those head shots. man im so strapped for cash. 3 of my weapons are broke and i cant afford to fix them. hopefully jsut find a replacement soon.

oh yeah i like how bethesda just can't get away

Spoiler for Hiden:

putting vampires in their games. seriously? a vampire cult in fallout 3. i couldnt help but laugh a bit.

[Jeff]

I think I over-murdered on my way out of the vault.  Someone is *pissed*.

I think I know precisely what you mean here. I felt bad and loaded a quicksave instead. Now I'm at that point and trying to decide how to handle that situation.

I went ahead and ordered that 500 page hardcover strat guide for the game.

Anyone else with the steam version find a pdf manual anywhere? I checked both the steam folder and the My Documents folder, and didn't find one.

[StriderGG]

holy crap, i cant believe its 8am rofl. this game is so freakin addicting. the hunter's rifle totally destroys super mutants btw. if you're lucky you can 1 shot them in the head. hold r mouse and crouch to increase your aim, helps a lot with those head shots. man im so strapped for cash. 3 of my weapons are broke and i cant afford to fix them. hopefully jsut find a replacement soon.

oh yeah i like how bethesda just can't get away

Spoiler for Hiden:

putting vampires in their games. seriously? a vampire cult in fallout 3. i couldnt help but laugh a bit.

You played all night?!! You, sir, are my hero!

I am also loving the game so far, totally awesome atmosphere. I actually feel sad seeing all that destroyed world.

Yes, hunting rifle is great... sometimes. Other times (like when killing those stinky radscorpions in the underground cave) I prefer an assault rifle or a shotgun. It's actually great that different weapons are better in different situations.

[Shkspr]

Let the record show that I always suspected that sort of thing was rampant in Annandale.

[lex]

If anyone with an older PC (Athlon 64 3500+) gets this I'd love to know how it runs.

I've got an Athlon64 3200+/7600GT/2 gigs RAM and running the game at 1024/786 with medium settings (shadows off)

It runs pretty smoothly and looks fine for what I'm used to.  There is a little bit of slow down when there are a lot of characters on the screen, but nothing too jarring