Fallout 3 Previewed

MyArcadePlanet has a piece up called “Fallout 3 Previewed“, which seems more like an editorial on Fallout 3 than a Fallout 3 preview.

With the forced change over of development from Black Isles to Bethesda, a lot of people have been worried about whether the spirit of the original two games is going to be maintained. The fact that it is Bethesda that is developing Fallout 3 is an indication that we can expect a game in which graphics play a very important part if Oblivion is any indication. The problem is that so far Bethesda’s best work has been in environments that are substantially different to those that the Fallout series have been based in thus far.

For most people, it is the sense of continuity that is most at risk, because the essence of the game is truly derived from those who develop it. This essence is impossible to pass from one company to another, even if all staff involved also move across. On paper the proposition appears good, giving an award winning games franchise to a studio that is award winning in its own right. Unfortunately, situations like that which have occurred recently have shown that the reality often falls grossly short of what is expected (naming no names of course).

The fact that the game is available on multiple platforms merely enlarges the circle of people to whom the game is likely to appeal to, but there are genuine complaints that layers of complexity in the games is likely to be lost in the quest to ensure that it can be played on 360, PS3 and PC. Widespread appeal is essential for any game wanting to be seen as a major success, but those people who played the previous games on PC may find something missing if they play this one on a console, although the improved graphics are likely to counter balance this issue for many people.

Spotted on Fallout 3: A Post Nuclear Blog.