Fallout and Fallout 2 retro-viewed

[Saint_Proverbius]

<strong>[ -> Review]</strong>

<A href="http://www.groovgames.com/">GroovGames</a> has posted a <A href="http://www.groovgames.com/display.cfm?id=255">retro review</A> of the original <A href="Http://www.interplay.com/fallout">Fallout</a> and <A href="http://www.interplay.com/fallout2">Fallout 2</A>. It focuses a little more on the sequel, but most applies to both and both are what the thing is intended to cover. Here's a clip:
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<br><blockquote>When you do get interrupted, or get into any kind of confrontations, Fallout uses a very well done turn-based combat engine. Based on your Agility and some other modifiers (buffs and drugs!), you will get a certain number of action points to spend in every round. Every action you take costs points, from moving and attacking to accessing your inventory and using items. Obviously, more action points means you can do more in a round, so Agility is a very useful statistic, and may allow you to get in an extra attack, or give you enough movement points to flee a fight in which you are hopelessly outmatched (though you may still be gunned down at range). While not as detailed as something like Jagged Alliance, Fallout's combat engine still allows for a lot of tactics: given enough action points you could hide behind a tree, pop out and take a shot, and duck back for cover; you can close with a foe and make a targeted head shot; you can switch weapons in your inventory (though you have two available "hands", and switching here costs no points). Combat is generally satisfying and can be very visceral, particularly if you get that spectacular critical with the chaingun that literally turns your opponent into hamburger. Bodies can be looted for items, weapons and ammo as well, so make sure to check every corpse. However, the AI of both your party members (should you have any) and the enemies is a bit lacking. They will attempt to attack whoever attacked them first, regardless of the current situation. This means that a party member may use all of his round's action points closing on an enemy when there was a suitable target standing right next to him. They also may attack an unconscious foe, even when there is a lively and dangerous alternate currently pummelling you into dust.</blockquote>
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<br>My favorite tactics is moving from cover to cover, then wacking someone with a sledgehammer.
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<br>Thanks, <b>LlamaGod</b>!