Fallout 1 and 2 (and Tactics) require a bit more patience than Fallout 3, which is why most of the kids today don't like them. They're turn-based and combat is far more strategic than F3's shooter fest. They're also not as hard as some would have you believe, they're just not ridiculously easy like F3 is. That means you've gotta be careful sometimes, and even *gasp* think about what you do instead of running into every situation guns blazing. And yes, it doesn't hurt if you have a basic understanding of how the S.P.E.C.I.A.L. system works.
For a new player, the most (I'd even say only) important thing to know is how to make the character you want to play. If you don't want to bother with that you can take any of the pre-generated characters (all of them can finish the game without too much trouble, in both games), and all of them will give you a different gameplay experience. But to me, making your own character is so much more fun.
Females are slightly easier to play because they don't go down as fast from a kick in the crotch, and there are several other minor (mostly dialogue-related) differences between males and females, but in general it doesn't matter too much which one you pick.
The stats... I'm not going to go into those since they depend a lot on your playstyle. I suggest looking up a guide or FAQ or something if you really want to know. They're pretty obvious. I'll just say two things: One, agility is the most important stat in the game, bar none. Yes it depends on playstyle, but sooner or later you will have to fight no matter what your playstyle is, and agility is the god-stat when it comes to fights. Two, playing with minimum intelligence is hilarious, but not recommended for a first playthrough.
Gifted is the best trait in the game, bar none. Get it. Finesse is my personal 2nd favourite, but your mileage may vary. Never pick Skilled. Ever. Jinxed might be worth it, but it will annoy you to death.
For perks, just take stuff that compliments your playstyle. Never pick perks that raise your level or give you more XP, because they suck badly (perks are more important than levels, so wasting a perk to get more levels is stupid). Perks that give you more criticals or enhance your critical hits are always good, since a critical to the head or eyes (later on when you get more accurate you'll be making eye-shots A LOT, unless you picked up the Fast Shot trait) are often an insta-kill even against tough enemies. Also, perks that give you more action points or make your actions cost less points are very good as well. In late-game, close-combat characters should try to get Slayer and ranged characters Sniper. They're the endgame combat perks.
Skills... Only pick one combat skill to focus on, maybe two (taking melee early on helps when weapons and ammo are still scarce). Small guns is probably the best overall combat skill. Speech is very good, but far less so if you don't have good INT and CHA, (making those two pretty important stats, unlike F3 where speech was all that mattered and your stats had little to no influence). First aid is very useful as well.
For a new player, the most (I'd even say only) important thing to know is how to make the character you want to play. If you don't want to bother with that you can take any of the pre-generated characters (all of them can finish the game without too much trouble, in both games), and all of them will give you a different gameplay experience. But to me, making your own character is so much more fun.
Females are slightly easier to play because they don't go down as fast from a kick in the crotch, and there are several other minor (mostly dialogue-related) differences between males and females, but in general it doesn't matter too much which one you pick.
The stats... I'm not going to go into those since they depend a lot on your playstyle. I suggest looking up a guide or FAQ or something if you really want to know. They're pretty obvious. I'll just say two things: One, agility is the most important stat in the game, bar none. Yes it depends on playstyle, but sooner or later you will have to fight no matter what your playstyle is, and agility is the god-stat when it comes to fights. Two, playing with minimum intelligence is hilarious, but not recommended for a first playthrough.
Gifted is the best trait in the game, bar none. Get it. Finesse is my personal 2nd favourite, but your mileage may vary. Never pick Skilled. Ever. Jinxed might be worth it, but it will annoy you to death.
For perks, just take stuff that compliments your playstyle. Never pick perks that raise your level or give you more XP, because they suck badly (perks are more important than levels, so wasting a perk to get more levels is stupid). Perks that give you more criticals or enhance your critical hits are always good, since a critical to the head or eyes (later on when you get more accurate you'll be making eye-shots A LOT, unless you picked up the Fast Shot trait) are often an insta-kill even against tough enemies. Also, perks that give you more action points or make your actions cost less points are very good as well. In late-game, close-combat characters should try to get Slayer and ranged characters Sniper. They're the endgame combat perks.
Skills... Only pick one combat skill to focus on, maybe two (taking melee early on helps when weapons and ammo are still scarce). Small guns is probably the best overall combat skill. Speech is very good, but far less so if you don't have good INT and CHA, (making those two pretty important stats, unlike F3 where speech was all that mattered and your stats had little to no influence). First aid is very useful as well.
