The Classic Flashback 10.28.08 - Fallout 2
Posted by Ty Huston on 10.28.2008
After taking a look at the original game, we look back at the first sequel as the release of the third is a breath away.
Hello and welcome once again to the Classic Flashback. This being my second one of these, I still have no swank logo. I'll get around to it. Anyway, we're here this week to continue what I started with last week's column on the original Fallout.
A Classic Flashback is a return to older games that I personally have enjoyed and have shaped the way I play games. This month is the release of the highly anticipated Fallout 3 from Bethesda Softworks, and to coincide with its release I have decided that my first two columns will be about the game's direct predecessors – Fallout and Fallout 2. While there are games in the series such as 2001's Fallout Tactics: Brotherhood of Steel for the PC and Fallout: Brotherhood of Steel for the consoles, I have chosen to talk only about the original two games as they are directly related to the new game being released on October 28th.
Game: Fallout 2
System: PC, Mac
Developer: Black Isle
Publisher: Interplay
Original Release Date: September 30, 1998
The Story
Fallout 2, which takes place 80 years after the original, follows the adventures of a descendant of the original player character in Fallout. At the end of the original Fallout, Vault 13's Overseer exiles the Vault Dweller, who in return builds a congregation of followers and travel North and found a small village they call Arroyo. In the time since the original, a new government known as the New California Republic, or NCR, are unifying the Southern towns and is slowly making its way North towards Arroyo. As well, another organization known only as "the Enclave" has begun to appear wielding technology that far surpasses even the Brotherhood of Steel.
In 2241, the town of Arroyo suffers a debilitating drought which sparks the elders of the village to enlist the direct descendant of the original Vault Dweller to go forth into the world and acquire the Garden of Eden Creation Kit, or G.E.C.K., an item which is capable of producing thriving communities in the post-apocalyptic world. Armed with only the Vault Dweller's jump suit, PIPBoy 2000, a Vault 13 water flask and a little cash – the new character is thrust into the world in hopes of completing the task and saving his village from their destined destruction.
Gameplay
Like the original, Fallout 2 uses the S.P.E.C.I.A.L. role-playing system as well as the V.A.T.S. combat system. Just as in the original, the game also features the same 18 skills which determine your ability in different things from using weaponry to picking locks, stealing and survival. The traits and perks also returned, providing even more enhancement for characters.
Fallout 2 featured many more items than the original, but retained many of the same items. A lot of variety came with the type of weaponry, where you would have had a single choice for a type of weapon like the minigun and in the sequel you'd have a handful of different miniguns to choose from. A lot of weapons were upgraded from those in the original Fallout and most items had a much higher price range leading to the need to scavenge for items more important.
Also, the karma system was developed further and the actions of both good and evil would open or close both dialogue and questing options throughout the game to provide you with a very customizable gaming experience. Reputation also plays an important factor in Fallout 2 as it, along with your karma, will effect how each town views your character.
The recruitable NPCs grew immensely in Fallout 2, up to 14. Each had their own personality, skills, and advantages. Karma and reputation had a big factor on these as well, with certain NPCs refusing to go with you based on your actions.
Fallout 2's quests would branch out further from its predecessor, involving you to complete quests for the towns in locations outside of that town. To aid with travel, the game featured a vehicle – known as the Chrysalis Motors Highwayman, or Highwayman for short - that ran on the same nuclear cells that some of the weapons utilized.
Interestingly enough, the game also featured a much more adult theme due to the game featuring subjects such as drugs (like the original) and including prostitution, pornography and slavery.
Audio
Unfortunately, Fallout 2 didn't have nearly the quality voice talent that the original did. While Ron Perlman was retained as the narrator, the rest of the game's cast was really just a mish mash of voice actors and bit players who really aren't worth a major notice. Their work was fine, but lacked the star power of the original.
The music in the game was pretty top decent, however. The opening sequence features Louis Armstrong's "A Kiss to Build a Dream On."
Development
The game was designed by Black Isle Studios for Interplay, with Feargus Urquhart and Matt Norton heading up the project. Feargus would also work on Icewind Dale, Planescape: Torment and Castles 2: Siege. When Black Isle Studios went up on the chopping block by Interplay, Feargus would team with other players in the industry to found Obsidian Entertainment, where he is the current CEO.
Pop Culture
While the original Fallout had some pop culture references here and there, the sequel is literally bursting at the seams with them. The Princess Bride, Monty Python and the Holy Grail, Doctor Who and even Pinky and The Brain and South Park were referenced in the game. I don't want to give much away because they are all worth a considerable laugh once found, but the game is is simply loaded with pop culture references and Easter eggs.
Conclusion
Fallout 2 was an excellent follow up to the original. Although not as lauded as its predecessor, the game has its merits and is an enjoyable sequel that will keep you occupied for quite some time. It is larger, longer and more difficult but the game is a lot of fun to play. I'd recommend it to anyone who enjoyed the original.
Fallout 3 is being released today, and it will be interesting to see how a new studio with a different engine and different people developing it will hold up to the two original games.
That's it for the two original Fallout games. Be sure to check in with me next time as we take a look at a five game series that I played until my eyes bled as a kid – Sierra's Quest for Glory.
