Just got Fallout collection on steam, anything I should know.

[Nomanslander]

I loved FO3, but since I've heard so much praise over the first two. Considering I have a bit of retro gamer in me I decided to get the first two and check it out myself.

I thought FO3 had some dark humor and sense of freedom to do anything, but I've heard the original two put FO3 to shame.

Plus I've heard the first two are way harder and I'm looking forward to that since beating FO3 half a dozen times didn't exactly come across as the most challenging game even the first time around.

So anything I should know, pretty excited about playing these games.

 

[SimuLord]

The first two are insanely difficult, especially if you're not used to older PC RPG genre conventions. Wasn't really until Morrowind that the WRPG as we now know it really started to become what it is.

Expect a lot of thinking like a tabletop gamer, just with the computer as DM and throwing the dice. It's frustrating, but eminently satisfying.

 

[Altorin]

they're really fucking hard, and really fucking slow.

you also have to read a lot, which I don't care for most of the times in games.

 

[Jekken6]

Fallout 1 and 2 have tediously boring turn based combat, and, to quote Yahtzee (because it is relevant) 'The stats are like managing an excel spreadsheet'.

Great story, atmosphere and music, but if you're doing a direct comparison, Fallout 3 is the overall better game, IMO.

 

[Axolotl]

Save often and in multiple slots.
Don't gimp any one stat they're all important and reducing any of them can have dangerous consequences.
Avoid combat unless you have a distinct advantage.

That's the best advice I can give. Also don't be put of by the interface it takes some getting used to but when you get the hang of it you're in for one of the deepest and most free-form games ever made.

 

[Altorin]

Fallout 1 and 2 have tediously boring turn based combat, and, to quote Yahtzee (because it is relevant) 'The stats are like managing an excel spreadsheet'.

Great story, atmosphere and music, but if you're doing a direct comparison, Fallout 3 is the overall better game, IMO.

a badly labelled and badly managed spreadsheet.

and really it's nothing like a spreadsheet, I used to work with excel spreadsheets for a living, and inputting 10,000 phone numbers is funner then trying to deal with either of the first 2 fallout games.

Far fewer Radscorpians.

 

[The Madman]

a badly labelled and badly managed spreadsheet.

and really it's nothing like a spreadsheet, I used to work with excel spreadsheets for a living, and inputting 10,000 phone numbers is funner then trying to deal with either of the first 2 fallout games.

Far fewer Radscorpians.

Oh please, rather than acting like the games are the incarnations of boredom given form you could just say "I don't like em!" as you implied with your initial post. We get it!

Me? I like some reading in my games and am willing to put aside some frustrations in the name of a good rpg experience and so Fallout 1 and 2 are perfect for me. Some of the best rpg ever made I'd even say, although not without their flaws (Yeah... I don't like the combat either. It's crap, there's no getting around that.).

Tips? Take it slow and stick with it. It might take a few characters before you feel comfortable with the one you've got, but it's worth it. Also keep in mind this isn't like Fallout 3 where you can essentially become a 'master of all' stat and skill wise. In Fallout 1 and 2 you *will* be forced to specialize unless you want your character to be rather poor all around, so choose your stats wisely depending on how you want to play. Putting points into Charisma and Intelligence can have a huge impact on your experience dialogue-wise, moreso than in Fallout 3, but trying to master them will leave you vulnerable combat wise so random encounters will be extremely difficult and things like Deathclaw all but unkillable. Fortunately many if not most plot situations can be solved without violence... but ultimately that's up to you.

I tend to lean towards the smooth-talking pistol wielding lady-lovin rogue types myself, my last Fallout 2 character having developed an unfortunate addiction to drugs to compensate for his poor combat abilities which left him useless when he wasn't high, suffering withdrawal... funny that! Made for a unique experience however as I constantly had to keep looking for the next fix.

 

[CmdrGoob]

The combat is excruciatingly dull and the start of each game is incredibly boring. I've never managed to get very far in either of them without losing interest, even though I've loved many classic RPGs.

Set expectations to low.

 

[Axeli]

You should set the combat speed a bit higher... And the difficulty is extreme only for some time in beginning, before you get a decent weapon and armor.

 

[number2301]

I tried FO1 a while back before I got FO3, but I just couldn't get on with the turn based combat. There's nothing more frustrating than shooting at a rat 2 paces away and missing every time. Maybe I'll give it another go.

 

[Shanecooper]

Its easier to run from a fight in the first two. There is alot more reading involved. Because combat is turn based, you use less ammo (in my experience anyway). and the "VATS" thing works much better.

Oh, also, you wont have a radio, so sadly, no Three Dog.

 

[Axolotl]

Oh, also, you wont have a radio, so sadly, no Three Dog.

The lack of Three Dog is a bad thing how exactly?

Oh and the other posters raise a good point if you have ADD or a crippling fear of reading then Fallout isn't for you. If on the other hand you're capable of reading a light novel then it's one of the best RPGs of all time.

 

[Shanecooper]

Oh, also, you wont have a radio, so sadly, no Three Dog.

The lack of Three Dog is a bad thing how exactly?

Oh and the other posters raise a good point if you have ADD or a crippling fear of reading then Fallout isn't for you. If on the other hand you're capable of reading a light novel then it's one of the best RPGs of all time.

I liked Three Dog. besides, it was either listen to him, enclave radio or silence.

 

[Nomanslander]

Hmmm, I've heard there's a divide between those that like the first two, and those that prefer the last one, guess I'm seeing that come out here a little.

Like the idea that you can solve anything with conversations.

Anyways, what's a good beginners spec?

 

[1nsignia]

all you need to know is

a) your a legend for getting the old fallout games
and
b) the force will be with you.. always

 

[Andy_Panthro]

The divide between the two main camps (for there are many different ones, it's definitely a broken base [http://tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pmwiki.php/Main/BrokenBase]) tends to be because of the slower and more tactical approach to the first two games, and the rather more action-focused third one.

Having played all three, I'd say I'm definitely in the FO1/2 camp, since I actually enjoy turn-based combat far more than FPS stuff. Each to their own though, eh?

For a beginner in Fallout 1, I'd always recommend "Small Guns" and "Perception". If you want to shoot things with pistols, rifles etc., it's the way forward. Having good Strength and Endurance will also help. When you get more familiar with it (requires a bit of reading on each skill/stat - if you click on a skill it will say which stats are required for it) you can create all sorts of characters.

 

[Axolotl]

Anyways, what's a good beginners spec?

Small guns definitely, especially for the second game. Steal is also very broken (if you save). And a high Int, or at least don't go with less than 5 or the dialog becomes difficult.

 

[Nivag the Owl]

The one and only thing you need to know: You made an awesome decision.