User Rating: 9.2 | Fallout 2 PC
Fallout 2 is a definite classic in the annals of gaming, just like its predecessor. An editorial by Greg K recently revealed that Fallout is his favorite game of all time, and Fallout 2 was built on the exact same game, universe, and engine. A few things about Fallout 2 are not as great as 1, such as the fact that there are less ways to complete missions, and a bit less variety in the gameplay - but most of the people reading this will not have even played one, much less find a maachine it will run on. Fallout 2 is an absolute perfect example of a great Western-style RPG from the 90s. The wit and humor in this game is unparalleled. The atmosphere and environment in the game are nothing we've seen in gaming before or since. The best way I can describe this game is a more intelligent version of Diablo 2 mixed with the movie Mad Max. The game features fun and outrageous turn-based combat, mostly based on guns. The game's perk system for character development is among one of the most unique in a game I've seen. The music and atmosphere really contribute to the wasteland environment. The soundtrack is somewhere between cool and haunting...kind of like Prodigy mixed with the Diablo soundtrack mixed with ambient noises. The game supports many different ways to complete a solution, and will scale itself around the way you play your character. The game is completely open-ended, and you can go anywhere and do whatever you feel. Some of the dialogue in the game is beyond hilarious. For a great laugh, make a character with an intelligence of 3 or lower. The game's first spoken dialogue of "Go to Klamath, reach Vault 13 and find the Gek" becomes "Go Klamath, Find shiny Thing", etc. This game's sarcastic humor is everywhere, and unfortunately, we don't see much of this type today. It's really a testament to older games that even though they don't have the graphics or special effects they have today, they are sometimes more captivating because of the ideas and environment behind them. The effort was put on the "mental" end, rather than making pretty waterfalls or big guns. The graphics aren't bad. Considering the game was made in 1998, the graphics are still cool to this day, and still hold up, even though sometimes they remind me of a Sega or an early Playstation game. Wow, this review is very rambling, and didn't really make sense or follow a pattern. I'm tired. Anyways, if you're an RPG fan, and you're lucky enough to find a copy of Fallout 2...buy it and play it. 
