Everyone might have heard of this lovable post-apocalyptic RPG from Bethesda Studios when it came out a year ago. It got a ton of awards, including several RPG of the Year and some Game of the Year awards (but then, so did a few others). Now, Fallout 3 Game of the Year Edition has released. I feel this game is deserving of that title for many reasons.
I got the PS3 Collector's Edition originally, along with special items contained in the launch kit (such as a Pip-Boy 3000 t shirt buried somewhere in my dresser, even weathered to give it a textured look;a Pip Boy decal, a Survivalist Handbook...) On top of that, I got a preorder bonus of a music CD and Mini Poster alongside the CE stuff (artbook, DVD, Pip-Boy bobblehead, steel lunchbox with plastic sleeve over it). But the game itself, although good...it just missed consistency in some points. The worst of it was unlike Bethesda's last major works, Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion, the game ended right at the main story. But no more!
The experience is COMPLETE! I waited patiently for 3 months, got my game the day it came out in the mail, opened it, installed it, and I went all orgasmic (but nothing sticky ensued, so keep your perverse thoughts in check). For 60 bucks, you get the original game (which retails for 40 bucks brand new), along with all 5 expansions for the game (which would cost around 50+ bucks separately). But the major convenience is its all on the same disc. Albeit a 6 GB install onto my hard drive, I finally have the complete game. Or better yet, the virtual ultimate collector's edition.
The base game itself had over 70-80 hours of gameplay to it to do everything humanly possible in the Capitol Wasteland. Worried about the little catch in the earlier paragraph about the game ending? No more. Broken Steel, which is an essential Fallout 3 expansion for any owner, allows you to shoot past that barrier at the end and play the game indefinitely. About 4-5 hours worth of extra gameplay, an increased level cap to 30, and the profound sense you will not have to stop playing. And the other 4 expansions are just gravy on the mashed potatoes. They add to the taste the platter delivers, making it that much more good.
Go to Pittsburgh and infiltrate a Slaver colony to either become a prominent Slaver or a Hero to the Slaves in the Pitt. Want to live in the time of Chinese Communist attacks on the US from way back when (in Fallout 3 timeline, of course)? Play out Operation Anchorage and experience a vast and ancient battle. Point Lookout thrusts you into a swampy wasteland that could be called similar to the Deep South, with accompanying wildlife and inhabitants (pending major radiation). And believe that aliens exist and are out for blood fresh out of Independence Day with Mothership Zeta when you show 'em that humans can be dangerous mo-fo's to mess with. And that promises what, an extra 20-30 hours of gameplay? Also...Trophies. Hah. That's gonna put you through the ringer a couple of times, so take the total amount of gametime for a single playthrough and double, even triple it.
Overall, the game finally earns what it deserves from me. A 9.75/10. Not as graphically sharp as its 360 counterpart, but it is just perfect enough with everything it's got to make it deserving of Game of the Year from a lot of people, including me.