You've just inhaled a potentially deadly swamp fruit as part of a bizarre tribal ritual. A stranger cracks your skull open and rips a piece of your brain out with their hand -- the piece holding you back from embracing spiritual enlighten, they tell you. After awakening, sadistic and distorted memories of your past dance in front of you, the ground has become the sky and there's a never-ending bombardment of Coca-Cola bottles exploding into nuclear bombs. Actually, correction: Nuka-Cola bottles.
I was up until the wee hours of the morning this week diving swamp-first into Point Lookout, the fourth, latest and largest downloadable expansion for Fallout 3. Point Lookout is not only the most open-ended add-on Bethesda Softworks has released for its post-apocalyptic epic since it was released last October, it's also the best content the company has produced post-release, rivaling some of Fallout 3's best moments.
The moment Fallout 3 ended, I wanted more -- we all wanted more. Bethesda was ready to answer that call with downloadable content, though the studio has fumbled along the way. A raised level cap and continued exploration of the wastelands was pushed until the third expansion, Broken Steel, and while Operation Anchorage took the series into a welcomed new arctic environment, it was a bizarrely action-focused, linear adventure. The Pitt…well, moral ambiguity aside, it felt more like a rad weapons expansion.
Point Lookout has taken development lessons and fan criticism from Operation Anchorage, The Pitt and Broken Steel into account, successfully eliminating almost all of their problems, resulting in the Fallout 3 expansion we've all been waiting for. Point Lookout takes place away from the wastelands, but rather than dumping players into a small, contained new environment, Point Lookout is its own new zone. There's plenty to explore, with many new adventure triangles tugging at you in the corner of the screen. I'd tried to keep myself on the main quest path in order to finish Point Lookout as soon as possible, but failed more than a few times -- I just had to see what was hidden away.
These exploratory moments are what made Fallout 3 so special. I didn't care for the main storyline in Fallout 3, but it also didn't matter. The side quests, the missions that fleshed out the world and how a people would adapt to a post-nuclear, government-less society is what has kept me playing for now almost 80 hours (just under, as of last night). Those moments were largely missing from the other expansions, despite fleshing out the mythology. The smaller stories were forgotten -- Point Lookout remembers them.
These moments are supposed to be a happy accident. That's what makes them so personal. While aimlessly walking through the swamps, I came across the location of my next objective, but the game teased an undiscovered location just a tiny ways way. I hesitantly went off the trail and discovered a tiny crashed plane. Next to it, a black box recorder. As I continued to slag through the mist, the audio log played, telling me how the pilot crashed on the swamp. The voice acting felt real, his words depressed me. It only takes a moment like that to remind me why I'm so invested in this world.
I could get into the nitty gritty of Point Lookout, but it's not necessary. If you're reading this, you played Fallout 3. This is more of the best parts of Fallout 3 ahead of Fallout: New Vegas and long before Bethesda can deliver the inevitable Fallout 4. Sold, right?
Oh, and even though Fallout 3 has more powerful shotguns can Point Lookout's double-barreled option, during my hike, it just felt natural to be stomping about the swamplands, fighting off the assaulting populace of mutated, mumbling inbreeds with something straight out of an Evil Dead movie. If only it was a sawed-off shotgun…
I did encounter some minor glitches, which I've seen reported by other gamers, as well. Occasionally, Point Lookout would seemingly freeze up. The music would keep playing, but all control over the game came to a standstill. About a minute later, however, everything returned to normal, no harm done. This happened to me twice.
Is Point Lookout worth your $10? No question. The main quest took me a little under four hours to complete, but that involved rushing from point A to B to C. That's not how I played Fallout 3 -- back then, I was purposely casual because the last thing I wanted to do was rush to the finish line. Sadly, a review necessitates speed. But whereas the other expansions offered little to players after finishing the main quest line, seemingly half of Point Lookout remains explored by me right now. I can't wait to jump back in.
Comments
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krowsnest618
I loved blowing up the submarine in the Chinese-Spy mission and that trippy punga-plant scene was....well the funniest thing I'ver ever seen.
DreamingDarklyRobin
Yeah, the punga plant hallucination is awesome especially when you find out that a guy was cutting out a piece of your brain and the images in the hallucination reflect that like the bonesaw.
ral1121
I havent dowloaded a DLC yet, ut im planning on getting Broken Steel. After this i will begin with Operation: annchorage and so on, but will the 30 raised cap level be implemented to everysingle DLC? because it will be impossible for me to get to Level 30 without the other DLC.
xpctsthexpctd
Yeah, the Chinese-Spy Mission was a blast, and killing hicks never gets old. Gotta avenge those pups, damn brain blew up the mansion hahahaha, this DLC kicks ass. Double-Barrel Shotty FTW.
L33tcakes
when all this DLC come out for ps3 Ill probably get this one based on your recommendation and broken steel for the raised level cap. Which is coming out next and how big is the new area compared to the original area?
Shadowskill11
#1 Broken Steel
#2 The Pitt
#3 Point Lookout
#4 Operation: Anchorage
This is my opinion of the ratings of the Fallout 3 DLC. Point Lookout was an interesting environment but they left you very underpowered. My Level 30 guy in Ashurs Power Armor, Tesla Cannon, special power axe, Heavy Incenerator, etc. should have been a God fighting inbred hillbillies in a swamp. Those bastards took way more hits than Enclave Troops and robots. Leaving me wondering, WTF?
crackingcody
i think that point lookout was the best dlc yet, next to the pitt. im sorry for all of the ps3 users and the sony fanboys because they have to wait until next month to atleast get the first dlc. hahahaha, XBOX 360!
vismortis
i havent goten a chance to play it but It sounds like they got a helping hand from oblivions own Mad God.
StrongestSaiyan
Wow, I can't believe that once again somebody had to turn this into a flamewar instead of sticking to the article. Oh wait, yes I can. Who cares if we have to wait. In fact if we wait long enough we can get the GOTY and skip downloading. Seriously, if waiting for something is the best you can come up with then it's time to find a new hobby.
KingOfOldSkool
I got to agree with StongestSaiyan.. stick to the damn article.. the content will be on the PS3 soon enough(better late than never) and is "also" on the PC. I'm so tired of all articles discussing games that are meant to be enjoyed devolving into childish flame wars. Anyways.. the only downer about Point lookout is that its one step closer to probable end of Fallout'3 DLC. If Bethesda pumped out more DLC at the level Point Lookout I would more than happy playing and spending money on these damn games for years to come, lol.
KingOfOldSkool
I got to agree with StongestSaiyan.. stick to the damn article.. the content will be on the PS3 soon enough(better late than never) and is "also" on the PC. I'm so tired of all articles discussing games that are meant to be enjoyed devolving into childish flame wars. Anyways.. the only downer about Point lookout is that its one step closer to probable end of Fallout'3 DLC. If Bethesda pumped out more DLC at the level Point Lookout I would more than happy playing and spending money on these damn games for years to come, lol.
DoubleLeo
I added this DLC yesterday. I do like how open ended it is but overall I like this one the least. I have to agree with shadowskill11 on this one, im level 30 with dominant stats and equipment from the capital wasteland and i get to point lookout and the run of the mill enemies are absorbing 2-3 clips from an assault rifle while taking about 1/4 of my 600hp per lever action rifle shot. its all good though. i enjoy the challenge. one glitch that is really frustrating me is my map markers. the markers on the map that relate to the current quest are totally misplaced. either they are in the wrong locations or they are in the correct locations on the pip-boy but point the player in the wrong dirrection on the in game compass. all in all, still a great dlc. thanks bethesda.
DoubleLeo
One other thing i noticed a lot of is choice. almost every quest has two npc's competing for your support. the problem i had with this though was that either both npc's were jerks or neither had much compelling arguments as far as why i should help them. maybe thats what bethesda was going for. the problem was that more often then not, i just didnt want to get involved with the npc's at all. not even the rewards earned from helping one or the other helped define the path i wanted to take because the reward is never clear. again, i think this is intentional on the side of bethesda.
Completist
This DLC ties with The Pitt for me. It's just so freaking awesome. My one gripe is I have the Ghoul Mask from the Tenpenny Tower and it doesn't matter if I put it on, the damned things STILL attack. :/
kylemc16
I have to say this DLC was good but broken steel was the best due to many side missions as well as awesome main missions, plus the 30 level cap. Point Lookout was okay, but the enemies and how much damage they take could be taken down a notch. I don't know if anyone else came across this but those feral ghoul reavers take a helluva lot of time to be taken down, it took me hundreds of gatling laser bullets to take the thing down. But anyway PS3 owners when you get all the fallout 3 content you're gonna have to clear your schedules because there are loads of things to do.
FaggotBizzaro
To all the people mad that their was one xbox fanboy in here maybe you should get your head out of your as# and realize their that every 360 thread is ruined by sony fanboys
crackingcody
@ FBizzaro, that is y i said what i did because on the Halo 3 ODST achievement topic, the first 10 or so people were sony fangirls saying that Halo 3 sucks and is dead so i decided to get even and anger some whiners.
BONERJAM
I love this dlc, the best so far. Everything about it is great, new skins for familar weapons and enemies as well as new weapons and enemies. The whole look of the swampy wasteland is awesome. When I first started I just kinda wandered out into the swamp, later on I started doing some missions. anyway, I cant wait to get home and play so more.
Jaym
Great review i totally agree Point Lookout is worth it, but Klepek you say "If only it was a sawed-off shotgun…" You do know theres a sawed-off shotgun in the wastelands right? either way the double-barrel is awesome... Does anyone else think the DLC is expensive?
jerenateer
this DLC kicks ass but i experienced a glitch where my weapon shoots itself and i have no control over it what do you think guyz?
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