Fallout 3 E3 Preview

AtomicGamer has filed their own hands-on preview of Bethesda's Fallout 3 based on what's being shown of the game at this year's E3.
Howard's demonstration showed the use of a rocket launcher, shotgun, laser rifle, a couple of grenade types, and the mini-nuke-firing Fatboy missile. All of these weapons looked and sounded authentic - just because it's been well over a decade since Bethesda made their last shooter (and for its time, it was excellent), it doesn't mean they forgot how. This combat-oriented demo showed off both V.A.T.S. and fully action-based killing, as well as the amusing Bloody Mess talent that caused downed enemies to literally fall apart in a pile of body parts and blood.

And for those who are wondering with all of this FPS stuff whether this can even be considered RPG at all anymore, I'd have to say that over their history, Bethesda has always broadened the gameplay scope with their games. Here, they've broadened both the RPG and FPS sides pretty well. Your ability to use a wide range of uniquely amusing skills as well as deal with the friendly NPCs at a more detailed level adds new depth to the RPG side, while being able to play the game like a fully-featured shooter will satisfy the action fans. This just adds a new dimension to the genre (one that I would dare say I haven't seen realized so well since the first Deus Ex) of RPG and FPS fusion that's so tough for developers to capture and make enjoyable.