So, why can't you return there, I mean you walked back to the Mojave by yourself, concious, probably with you're eyes open, did I miss an explanation for this somewhere in the DLC?

Oh and sorry for the strange way that I titled this, I'm tired so I wasn't really thinking when I asked this.

So you can't get the gold.

I didn't mean the casino itself, I meant the villa.

Because your character knows it smells and he ain't going back even by your forceful hand

The whole point of the DLC was to "Know when to let go," so going back would ultimately defeat this intent.

Make's sense I guess, I did have a hard time letting go.

On the other hand, that quote was primarily directed towards "letting go" of the gold and treasures in the Sierre Madre itself, not really the Villa.

Personally I think the villa should've remain accessible. I rather like the scenery.

I think they decided to make it inaccessable after you beat it because the DLC made it so you were a prisoner there and once your free your character doesn't want to go back.

Doesn't mean I agree though, there should've been an option to go back.

Ehh, the Villa was not one of my favorite locations. Of course the first time I did Dead Money, I was doing a hardcoe play through, so that may explain my bitter taste towards the Villa.

I feel the same.
While DMs story is amazing, the gameplay was very repetitive and got very dull very fast.
I like the way it ends(best ending slides ever IMO) and I don't think I would feel the same if I could waltz in any time I please, nor do I believe I would return if I could.

I could also see returning to the villa interfering with certain ending slides(Christine's primarily), but I believe the main reason is the whole "letting go" thing.

i had a mod that let me return.......absolutely nothing to do.....havnt been back since

Ghosts! Commie ghosts what don't know there dead!
Don't you laugh at me! I know a spell to reveal your true form. Cave rat taught it to me.

I roleplayed that it was a personal choice by the courier to never return, less someone follow him and become yet another victim to the greed for gold.

I took all the gold and found all dispenser holo-tapes. Why would I ever go back! Lol

I'd like to just chill in the casino and whatnot....
But yeah just as stated- 'let go'
Though you don't have to, rather simple to take it all....

I feel there are two major reasons.
1. As many others have explained...The " Letting Go" theme..
2. For better or worse: The Sierra Madre... is one of the few major arrea's in the wastes.. which is truly and utterly dead..
All that remains are holograms and (feral) ghostpeople.... one might even argue (positive ending) that even Christine is dead... (figuratively) She makes the conscious choice to stay as its warden.. Why? Because there is nothing in the mojave for her.. She was killed by Elijah and the big Empty. You on the other hand.. have lots to live for in the mojave.
So the fact that you can't/ aren't able to return is as symbolic as nr. 1... and can be seen as an extension to that theme..

What is a good level to start Dead Money? I know it says level 20 but is it reasonable to start it at like level 15?

I honestly didn't want to go back after dying over 100 times in the span of 8 hours. I couldn't deal with the frustration anymore.

There are some fairly high skill checks in it so I'd suggest starting at least at level 20.

I managed at 16 my first time through, but the skills with high checks were ones I was raising anyway for the character's RP. More generally, 20-25 is probably a good range to aim for, since you'll have enough SPs with even low-INT characters to have the necessary skills high enough.