[9.5/10] Fallout 3 combines the best elements for an RPG game including weapons, looting system and good story.
-- Story -- 90/100 --
The main quest begins after the player escapes Vault 101 at age 19. The search for James, the player's father, takes the character on a journey through the Wasteland, first to the nearby town of Megaton, named for the undetonated atomic bomb at its center, then the Galaxy News Radio station. The player then travels to Rivet City, a derelict aircraft carrier now serving as a fortified human settlement. Here the player meets Doctor Li, a scientist who worked alongside the player's father. Doctor Li informs the player of Project Purity, a plan to remove the radiation from the water of the Tidal Basin as a means of restoring the environment and improving the lives of those inhabiting the Wasteland.
-- Visuals -- 90/100 --
Beautifully imagined wastelands and an impressive draw distance are marred by poor textures, making this game look more dated than it should. Some areas are also poorly lit and difficult to see in, even with the Pip-Boy's light on. Overall graphics are good but not that great.
-- Audio -- 100/100 --
Fallout 3 provides exceptional voice acting, along with appropriately atmospheric music, and spot-on sound effects. I can't imagine the audio getting better than this. Listening to the Galaxy News Radios all day long is really fun, too bad the main hero dont talk.
-- Gameplay -- 95/100 --
This game plays beautifully, with responsive, excellent controls. Only the lack of some additional sorting options for the inventory keep this from perfection. The Fallout 3 world is fantastically well realized, and incredibly immersive. Sarcastic and dark humor works well in the dialogue options, and the overall theme of the game. You'll feel like you're living a unique life in the wastelands of DC. VATS system is also unique and amazing, great job Bethesda.
-- Final Verdict -- 9.5/10 --
Fallout 3 masterfully creates a parallel universe for players to explore and lose dozens of hours in. No other game of this console generation comes close to offering the amount of content, freedom of choice, and level of immersion that can be found here.