Giving NV another chance after rage quitting two years ago because it kept crashing at the worst possible moments (losing 20-30 minutes of gaming... much of it bartering/crafting time or after traveling a long distance; in the middle of a loading screen corrupting my save; after a loooooonnnngggg bit of dialogue) and quests glitched out, ruining a rather well-thought story.

So far I haven't experienced a single crash in 16 hours of gameplay, which is much better than previously. So far, so good. Now I believe I can discuss what I like/dislike about the game.

Likes:

1) hardcoe mode - Brilliant idea and carried out well I thought. It's always there (hunger, thirst, fatigue) but it's never overbearing, you know that you can explore several hours before checking your stats. I love what it did for health regeneration and limb injuries as well. It really makes you regret not being more careful when scavenging in that abandon shack littered with mines. I like that you have to visit a doctor or have a doctor's bag handy to heal those said limbs. Great idea, very well executed, I thought.

2) Crafting - NV takes crafting to the next level. Is it perfect? Probably not. I admittedly wing it when crafting ammunition, but I still like doing it. Though the meals that you can make are pretty much redundant (and the ingredients are so forgettable and not always easy to find), it was a brilliant addition. I think that Skyrim's food crafting is a bit better in the sense that you don't literally have to become a chef to make the items (the ingredients and their locations are easier to remember). Skyrim's cooking also *feels* better to me with respect to role playing. "The Courier" seems a little bit nonchalant about wandering around the wasteland killing people to be concerned with actually surviving the wilds by making himself dinner... not when he can find an abundance of squirrels and iguanas on sticks to eat. But, so what? The option is in there.

3) Weapon upgrades - Keeps weapons fresh and makes them more *fun* to use and collect.

4) Truth or Consequences - I love the fact that you can make some factions/civilians happy and some really pissed off at you based on your decision making. Though some of the dialogue is a bit lengthy, it makes it important to listen to it and make your choices appropriately. Something Skyrim lacks... big time.

5) Caravan - I simply love it. Great way to make caps.

Dislikes:

1) The Wasteland - I actually preferred FO3's DC wasteland a whole hell of a lot more. Not only is the Mojave as rendered by Beth/Obsidian so drab, but it also isn't as scary. I don't feel threatened *as much* as I did in DC where I was literally rotating my camera view in constant anxiety. I'm only level 7 in NV and I'm not afraid at all... ants? smash... radscorpions? backpedal and shoot... wild dogs? pick your preferred method of expungement... those crazy bipedal lizards? easy peasy. By the time you're actually facing thugs in the wild, you have enough of a stockpile of dynamite to blow their limbs off before they even get within 10 feet of you. I just feel absolutely no sense of anxiety at all in NV. Before anyone says 'Deathclaw', yeah, FO3 had them too. I avoid them much the same. Edit: Also, because the wasteland isn't threatening, going to the doctor for limb repairs is more tedious than it is a long, desperate haul for healing. I know I'm gonna make it without dying, so the trip is what's excruciating. It would be much better to think, "Oh crap! I could die on the way!".

2) The quest-based XP - If it levelled something like Speech or some other relevant skill, I wouldn't mind so much. I realise that it's the same for FO3, but I didn't like it that much there either. TES has a better levelling system because it's based on skill, which makes more sense.

3) Though the factions/questlines are generally more interesting and may involve choices that change the world's disposition to you, they are seriously corny. I know that comes with the Fallout territory and that's what sort of *makes* Fallout, but it would have been nice to have something a bit darker (I have the same complaint with GTA IV... too much parody and satire can make it too silly). In combination with a wasteland that just isn't that threatening, it almost makes the experience a joke.

Neutral:

Graphics - it is a *major* disappointment that there was no effort to make NV look better than FO3. I think that was just lazy. However, this gripe gets a pass from me because I believe that "graphics don't always make the game", and I'd play NV over a better looking Assassin's Creed or Batman any day.

I am trying hardcoe, and I still hate it. The whole watching your starvation, dehydration, and sleep deprivation is annoying.

Lol, is this for real?

This is so up it's own butt I can't believe you actually said it.... idea: instead of following the roads, how about going north of goodsprings? Challenge yourself. Or... maybe give Quarry Junction a taste? And that's just the wasteland 'animals', try Vault 34 or Black Mountain for more human threats.

It's why I have never played with it. It's more or less babysitter mode. I'm content in normal mode.

See my quote "... before someone says 'Deathclaw'". Thanks for addressing the rest of the subject matter.

Same here, but I was convinced to try it for my tribal character.

The "subject matter" are your likes and dislikes.

I addressed one that I disagree with.

And ha yeah, difference between Deathclaws in FO3 and NV is in 3 you need a lot of stimpaks and weaponry but... all things considered they're pretty easy to take on (I took them on about Level 10).

Deathclaws FNV? Just reload.

And.... I mentioned Deathclaws of 1 of 4. So no, thank you for addressing the rest of the subject matter.

Sheesh. Here is what I meant by "... before anyone says 'Deathclaw'": Everything *besides* the Deathclaws are not threatening at all. So, in other words, you didn't address the rest of my opinion, you addressed what I so clearly defined as the exception. It's cool to totally love a game, but seriously...

So you've been north of goodsprings low level? Vault 34? Black Mountain?

Oh, I'll throw in Bitter Springs too for good measure.

And yep I am so obsessed with this game :D:DD:D:D::D:D:D:D

Ok, I'll clarify. I want to crap my pants without having to *look* for trouble. That happened all of the time in FO3. There's an obvious sense of "you asked for it" in your suggestion, and that doesn't address the point I'm making... at all. When there is a sure fire way that I can walk from Goodsprings to Novac to New Vegas without any fear of death (yes, on the roads...) then the game has lost any sense of danger and survival. In FO3, I remember always having to be prepared just to cross short distances. There was seemingly no *safe road*. Now, obviously, if I dive headfirst blinfolded into a pit of vipers... yeah, that's dangerous. But it's also stupid and the exact opposite of post-apocalyptic survival that I'm looking for. I want more of "The Road" feel (it's a great book/movie if you get a chance).

Eh fair enough.

For me (except in exclusive areas) there was no real danger in FO3, whereas I personally find exploring in NV to be a lot more scary.

(Sorry, it was just the way you went '...ants?')

But anyway, when you get higher level and you aren't just walking in the 'set' direction to go to NV, it does get a lot more dangerous around and about.

P.s you should walk north of goodsprings... lots of fun

Oh I plan to!

But I know it's not a good idea until I'm fully prepared.

No.. I mean when you first start

I mean, if you've already restarted the game again and haven't then don't make a new one. But on your next game (should you play a new character at some point in the future) you should definitely walk up the I-45

Maybe for experimental purposes. But it kills survivalist roleplay to commit suicide... and that's my problem.

It's not a suicide mission, if you do it right.