brand new heights

taking things nuclear

a dark sky has never been so blinding. the first moments outside of vault 101 proved to be the most striking parts of Fallout 3, but also, a more familiar feel. 2 years since The Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion, Bethesda have seemed to improve upon the "single hope of mankind" formula with Fallout 3, but the aging similarities get in the way of innovation. V.A.T.S., the weapons, and the setting were all great contributions to the action RPG world, but adding those aspects to muddy textures (and yes, i know its a wasteland), dated animations, and stiff conversations doesn't help bring out those features. nevertheless, my time with Fallout 3 was not as dystopian as the landscape. the setting of Fallout was by far the best part of this journey. over every hill or valley was something untraversed and mysterious that i just had to take a minute (or hour) to explore and know all the in's and out's of every fort, power plant, or house. its sense of abandonment gives such a thirst for more knowledge on what happened, who was here, and how much more can i carry? Oblivion had the whole exploration aspect as well, but Fallout has the pull and the sense of mystery that Oblivion did not convey as much. as dilapidated as the landscape is, i can't help but to want to know more... and loot it. though there are many titles to be played, exploration of the wasteland will not be hindered.