Fallout 2

Genre: 3-D RPG
Platform(s): PC
Allegiance: Interplay
Vintage: 1998
Rating: NA
Intelligence Agency Report by: Dave K
In the past, a nuclear war was started and the world turned into a wasteland. A few people found shelter in underground vaults. One vault, Vault 13, sent out a brave soul, the Vault Dweller, to try and contact the outside world. The Vault Dweller did many great things and saved a great number of lives, but he was cast out from Vault 13. He ventured north and founded a village called Arroyo. Your village Arroyo is dying and the only thing that can save it is the Garden of Eden Creation Kit (G.E.C.K.). As one of the descendants of the Vault Dweller, you have been chosen to find Vault 13 and one of their G.E.C.K.’s.

Weapons Expert Report by: Dave K 
Story/Premise
Gameplay
Impact
Visual
Audio
9.75
8.50
9.50
7.25
7.25
Overall 8.75
(not an average)
Version Reviewed: SNES, DeJap Translation

Not all that often does a sequel video game have a more compelling plot then the original. Fallout 2 however manages to outdo its predecessor, a tough feat since Fallout was quite the story-driven game. But what makes Fallout 2 stand well above just about anything else there is, is how complete freedom is given to the player. Within the limits of the controls you are able to do anything you want to in the Fallout world. Eventually you need to find the G.E.C.K. and return to Arroyo, but in the meantime you are able to go out there and visit the other towns and do whatever you want. What is even more interesting is how your actions can alter the ending of the game. 

Fallout 2 uses a system called the SPECIAL system (Strength, Perception, Endurance, Charisma, Intelligence, Agility, and Luck). Originally the SPECIAL system was designed to compete with D&D’s six stat system. However, the complexity of it led for poor performance as a PnP system. But when it was first put to use with Fallout, the results were fantastic. The only thing to complain about is the poor “dice rolls” that come up incredibly frequently in the game “thanks to” a random number generator. 

Visually, Fallout 2 is only average. There are some brief cut scenes and a few cool death sequences, but the game fails to do anything spectacular. The monster designs for the game are rather interesting, but for the most part the game is average and has a sort of Sim City 2000 feel to it. The voice acting in Fallout 2 is well done, however they didn’t match up at all to Fallout. The background music helps create a scary mood but it’s hard to notice any sort of difference and it can get a bit irritating after a while. 

Fallout 2 is definitely one of the most underrated games of all time and it’s unfortunate that it has not gotten the acclaim it deserves for its innovation. However Fallout 2 definitely stands out as an RPG for anyone who truly loves the role playing genre. With the freedom of choice you are allowed it adds up to a whole lot of fun and replay value.