My issues with Fallout 3

This screenshot is an example of the poor attention to detail in Fallout 3. Doctor Li has just informed the three of us that someone needs to go inside the irradiated chamber and activate the water filtration pump. I know what you’re thinking: “Isn’t that super-mutant standing behind Lyons immune to radiation?” Why yes, yes he is. Unfortunately Lyons seems dead set on insisting that either she or I go in. Ugh.

The first hour or two of Fallout 3′s gameplay is brilliantly engrossing, to the point that I found myself emotionally invested in the game. It’s unfortunate that the illusion was broken in the finer details (sloppy NPC pathfinding, diversionary side-quests, incorrect gender pronouns). I went from being my character in another world to controlling a faceless digital puppet in a series of traditional CRPG mechanics. Shame, that. I had just started getting into the game too.

As a follow-up, I went back to try the game again. I figured I could make the game playable by avoiding the elements that eroded my suspension of disbelief. I intended on avoiding NPCs and the primary plot, y’know, trying to just fend for myself. Unfortunately, the game shows its frayed edges all the more at that point. I suppose the magic’s lost.