Fallout 2

[Carnagath]

Only one advice, patch it and, depending on the version that you have, install a children patch. The developers removed children from the game on some versions because, well, you can kill them, but they did not remove certain quest chains and other interactions that involve children NPC's, so those are just dead ends.

Other than that, just enjoy and explore it, FO2 strikes a perfect balance between a scripted story and a player-defined outcome on pretty much everything. It's gonna be whatever game you make out of it. I still remember the massive, Godfather-like showdown that I orchestrated in New Reno by playing everyone against everyone else as one of my gaming highlights, but I could have just walked in and done jobs for only one family and then gone somewhere else, the game never restricts you and there is never only one solution to a problem. You can read up a bit on most walkthroughs that include some tips on character setup and which stats are more useful than others etc, but read no further than that.

I played this game on release and without internet or guides and to this day it is my second favorite game of all time.

 

[Starke]

When you get to Klamoth, and even in Aroyo, do EVERYTHING in the hubs before moving out, you need the experience. If you're careful you should be level 3 before you head for Klamoth.

Also, Intelligence and Agility are critical. Finally low attributes (attributes>4) are crippling unless you're going for a specific min-maxed build.

Finally, TAG SMALL GUNS.

 

[cheese_wizington]

Funny story. Back in 1999, I played this game on a friend's computer, and the loading times between screens could be long enough to make a snack or go to the bathroom. Or wash the dishes, which I always ended up doing, because I was the only girl and none of my guy friends cared. But I didn't stop playing. I just made sure I explored every inch of every screen before I moved on. And I still play games this way, even though now I can play Dragon Age: Origins and the longest loading time is only long enough for me to think,"hm, this one's taking a minute."

Holy shit this game will make you bark with surprised laughter.

I about pissed myself at the Cafe of Broken Dreams.

 

[Booze Zombie]

Make sure you end combat! I heard some guy saying "the whole game is turn-based, this sucks" and he didn't realise you had to press the button to end combat mode.

Also, read the manual.

The best tip I can give for any game, really.

 

[iamthehorde]

tag the blood mess perk! steal everything, even out of graves! be careful to not run out of money it can be hard to obtain if you stole already everything. if you want discounts on weapons, try to get good karma. when you travel and meet a merchant in the area where you have good karma they won´t attack but try to sell you stuff for cheap. loot everything! try to strategically cripple your enemies in fights. if you make a real dumb character, the game is even funnier, because then the dialogue choices are truly ridiculous!

 

[mrx19869]

quick save often

 

[skyfire_freckles]

Funny story. Back in 1999, I played this game on a friend's computer, and the loading times between screens could be long enough to make a snack or go to the bathroom. Or wash the dishes, which I always ended up doing, because I was the only girl and none of my guy friends cared. But I didn't stop playing. I just made sure I explored every inch of every screen before I moved on. And I still play games this way, even though now I can play Dragon Age: Origins and the longest loading time is only long enough for me to think,"hm, this one's taking a minute."

Holy shit this game will make you bark with surprised laughter.

I about pissed myself at the Cafe of Broken Dreams.

Lol! Dirt. Nap. Dirtnap! Can you believe I remember that after all this time?

EDIT: Oh, the bitter ache of nostalgia! I just looked at some screen shots for this and my other favorite RPG of all time, Arcanum: of Steamworks and Magick Obscura. I spent so much of my young adulthood in these other realms. Sigh.