pretty dire writing that approaches its subject matter in a really odd way which ultimately falls flat. I'm sure it's well intentioned but it's a little toothless and it feels like a YA story in game form.

Most of the characters are just kind of annoying and the performances aren't that great. I really wanted to like this game since I loved the idea of a procedural road trip and, to its credit, that element of the game is at least some fun. The reactive changes at the border as you play are neat too, but the rest of the game just doesn't meet the mark unfortunately.

It's the only Fallout game I've currently completed and it's easily my favorite as of writing. Despite the technical issues that come with its age playing through this was one of the more unique experiences I've had with a game. Exploring the mostly empty map sells you on the desolation of the wasteland in a very natural way, and the limited interaction it offers between you and your companions confounds the loneliness that comes with that.

Its harshness also leaves a lasting impression, whether that's the chaotic crawl through the game's climax or the potentially game-ending way it handles radiation (if you're not careful with your saves this can flat out doom your run; thankfully I was enamoured enough by the game for this to stop me from dropping it when this happened to me).

Compared to the other Fallout games I've played (New Vegas and 4) it has my favorite tone by far, as it feels a lot more grounded than it's successors even when it's being silly, though this might just be a result of the crusty isometric visuals. That isn't a knock against the visuals either; I truly love this game's art style, including all the clay talking heads. As someone who's otherwise not that into Fallout as a series it's absolutely worth giving a shot.