Fallout 3 is quite possibly the most anticipated game release of the year and for good reason.  The combination of a cult classic RPG series and one of the most talented RPG developers in the business seems like a match made in heaven.  Best of all, the massive, free roaming adventure aspect of Bethesda’s former titles fits the Fallout series like a comfortable glove.

It is extremely impressive that Bethesda manages to create a game that plays like an Elder Scrolls title while still feeling like a Fallout game.  All of the Fallout staples are here and very well implemented.  The Karma System is particularly well done.  Depending on the choices your character makes, you will either be treated like a savior, or a criminal or anything in between.  This system seemingly has no limits, as your reputation is spread through the entire game world and consequences or rewards are often given for your actions.  For example, a noble character will be hunted by mercenaries due to his “goody two shoes” reputation but will also often receive free gifts for townspeople.  Another Fallout characteristic that makes a triumphant return is the idea of perks.  Every time you level up your character, along with the typical stat upgrades you also get to choose a new perk.  These perks range from useful like the “Solar Powered” perk which increases your strength and causes you to regenerate health while in the sunlight, to entertaining, the “Bloody Mess” perk increases the game’s gore level substantially.  The higher your level, the more useful the perks that you will have access to.  Lastly like in the other Fallout titles the player can recruit NPCs to join their party.  The most significant of these is Dogmeat, a descendant of the dog in the original Fallout who can scavenge for food, ammo and weapons.  Just a warning, when Dogmeat (or any NPC for that matter) dies, they will not come back.  

While Fallout 3 is very much a Fallout game it still maintains numerous aspects from the Elder Scrolls titles (specifically Oblivion).  Like Oblivion, the game world is massive, so the player must rely on fast traveling to locations by using their map.  Also like Oblivion the player is allowed to switch between a first person and third person view at will.  Sadly the third person view remains virtually useless.  The skills, weapon repairing system and the aspect of looting also remain unaltered from Oblivion.