Fallout 3: Point Lookout
Point Lookout is Fallout 3’s fourth piece of downloadable content. Set in Point Lookout, Maryland, Point Lookout takes players to a new location, adds new enemies to fight, new items to discover, and of course, new quests. Point Lookout is a forgotten marshland, not affected directly by the nuclear war that devastated most of the United States. Instead it’s been (mostly) abandoned, allowing the buildings to be worn down, and swallowed by the overgrowing plant life. Inbred ‘swampfolk’ roam the marshlands, and mirelurks (the crab monsters from the main game) roam the shores, providing plenty of dangers for players to overcome. The game adds a new main quest in five segments, and five new side quests. Overall, playing through everything Point Lookout has to offer will take about 6-8 hours, depending on how much you explore.
Story
The story in Point Lookout starts with a woman on a pier in the Capitol Wasteland looking for her missing daughter, who ran off to Point Lookout seeking adventure. She is worried, and asks you to make sure that her daughter is safe. After a boat ride from a shady boatman, you find yourself in the swampy new area. In your search for the girl, your adventure gets you mixed up with a man being harassed by a tribe of spiritual warriors, a Chinese spy, and an old man seeking a mysterious family heirloom.
Although your stay in Point Lookout is short, the characters are very well developed, and drive the story forward with well written dialogue. I found myself genuinely interested in who these people were, what they were doing in such a run down, forgotten place, and where their story would take me. The story takes a turn in the main quest, and something very bad happens to you. This was very effective at giving me a sense of anger and vengeance toward the people (or person) that had committed this heinous act against my character, and I was out for blood. The story builds and you find yourself at the end of a few revelations, leading to a dramatic conclusion that makes you feel like you are actually accomplishing a change in the swamp.
In the end, the story is very good at motivating you to explore Point Lookout, and interact with the interesting characters. The dialogue is well written and believable. My only complaint is that, even in the forgotten marshland, the story’s subject matter still feels a bit like what you would find in the main game. At the same time, however, I liked that there are neat little touches here and there that remind you that you are still in the world of Fallout 3 (Like the quest involving the Chinese Spy, for example). But overall, the characters push you on, and you really feel like you are making an impact in their lives, and Point Lookout itself.
Score: 8/10
Gameplay
The gameplay in Point Lookout is very much the same as in Fallout 3, which is no problem at all. The solid gameplay still holds up, weather you are a fan of running and gunning, or a V.A.T.S. junkie like me. However, there is a minor change in the way the game plays with Point Lookout. The game engine now can modify the environment in real-time. This leads to collapsing buildings, ‘swampfolk’ busting through walls when you least expect it, and things blowing up with impressive graphical effects. This new element really adds a lot to the game experience, causing you to rethink a lot of your combat strategies.
Point Lookout itself, unlike the other three Fallout 3 add-ons, actually adds entire new world map, complete with new places to explore and fast travel (Thankfully, because like the Capitol Wasteland, it’s very large). I spent the first two hours playing just wandering around, seeing what I can find. And believe me, there is a lot to find out there. There are thirty new locations which vary in houses, caves, ships, and larger buildings. True to the Fallout 3 style, they keep a lot of variety, and make sure your freedom to explore is very rewarding.
Point Lookout adds a new enemy type in the form of the ‘swampfolk.’ These inbred hillbillies come in three varieties, and are usually found wandering the area. They are basically re-modeled human enemies from Fallout 3, but the change is welcome, further immersing you in the world. Other enemies in Point Lookout are just re-colored Mirelurks and Ghouls (I’m sorry, Swamplurks and Swamp Ghouls).
The add-on adds on a few new weapons as well. There is a new double barreled shotgun, a lever-action rifle, and a natural gas grenade. There is also a new melee weapon type, the axe. The double barreled shotgun is nice, except you only get one shot before you have to reload. The grenade was hit or miss with me, seeming no different than any other grenade. The lever-action rifle was my favorite, having a great range and great damage. The new weapons fit in with the rural style of Point Lookout. However, due to the scaling, the new weapons are all more powerful than weapons from Fallout 3’s main game. It’s odd to have a lever-action rifle do more damage than a laser rifle, but it would also be weird to have an expansion add weapons that weren’t as powerful as you progress.
Point Lookout continues Fallout 3’s amazing gameplay, adding even more to an already vast and rewarding game. The enemies are hard providing a challenge, but not too hard that you feel frustrated. The developers were smart in knowing that by the time Point Lookout was released, most people’s characters would be the maximum level, and stocked up on ammunition and healing stimpacks. Through exploration, combat, and the new weapons, Point Lookout only adds to the amazing gameplay of Fallout 3.
Score: 10/10
Presentation
And it’s this new creepy vibe that adds the most to the presentation in Point Lookout. Fallout 3 was creepy on its own, but not on the level of Point Lookout. Wandering through the swamps you’ll find little touches that made the hairs on the back of my neck stand up. Dolls impaled on spikes, toys scattered here and there, the sound of something crying off in the distance, all provide an atmosphere that makes the dark marshland all the more creepy. Even the mumbling and screaming of the swampfolk will give you goosebumps as you fire franticly at them. I’ll never forget the first time one came running at me full speed with an ax, giggling like a child. And be sure to explore the mine for a very scary haunted house experience.
The graphics and sound are on par with the quality of Fallout 3. The wonderful modeling and realistic textures really put you there in Point Lookout, creating a world that seems real. The sound is fantastic, from the sounds of the swampfolk and the ambient sounds, they really add to the world. Additionally, the voice acting is believable and emotional, creating a greater sense of attachment to the characters.
Point Lookout is on quality with Fallout 3, adding a great deal to the already amazing presentation. The developers did a fantastic job making Point Lookout seem totally real and alive.
Score: 9/10
The gameplay in Point Lookout is very much the same as in Fallout 3, which is no problem at all. The solid gameplay still holds up, weather you are a fan of running and gunning, or a V.A.T.S. junkie like me. However, there is a minor change in the way the game plays with Point Lookout. The game engine now can modify the environment in real-time. This leads to collapsing buildings, ‘swampfolk’ busting through walls when you least expect it, and things blowing up with impressive graphical effects. This new element really adds a lot to the game experience, causing you to rethink a lot of your combat strategies.
Point Lookout itself, unlike the other three Fallout 3 add-ons, actually adds entire new world map, complete with new places to explore and fast travel (Thankfully, because like the Capitol Wasteland, it’s very large). I spent the first two hours playing just wandering around, seeing what I can find. And believe me, there is a lot to find out there. There are thirty new locations which vary in houses, caves, ships, and larger buildings. True to the Fallout 3 style, they keep a lot of variety, and make sure your freedom to explore is very rewarding.
Point Lookout adds a new enemy type in the form of the ‘swampfolk.’ These inbred hillbillies come in three varieties, and are usually found wandering the area. They are basically re-modeled human enemies from Fallout 3, but the change is welcome, further immersing you in the world. Other enemies in Point Lookout are just re-colored Mirelurks and Ghouls (I’m sorry, Swamplurks and Swamp Ghouls).
The add-on adds on a few new weapons as well. There is a new double barreled shotgun, a lever-action rifle, and a natural gas grenade. There is also a new melee weapon type, the axe. The double barreled shotgun is nice, except you only get one shot before you have to reload. The grenade was hit or miss with me, seeming no different than any other grenade. The lever-action rifle was my favorite, having a great range and great damage. The new weapons fit in with the rural style of Point Lookout. However, due to the scaling, the new weapons are all more powerful than weapons from Fallout 3’s main game. It’s odd to have a lever-action rifle do more damage than a laser rifle, but it would also be weird to have an expansion add weapons that weren’t as powerful as you progress.
Point Lookout continues Fallout 3’s amazing gameplay, adding even more to an already vast and rewarding game. The enemies are hard providing a challenge, but not too hard that you feel frustrated. The developers were smart in knowing that by the time Point Lookout was released, most people’s characters would be the maximum level, and stocked up on ammunition and healing stimpacks. Through exploration, combat, and the new weapons, Point Lookout only adds to the amazing gameplay of Fallout 3.
Score: 10/10
Presentation
Point Lookout takes a new turn with Fallout 3, swapping wastelands and industry settings for a more natural swamp setting. This is a welcome change in contrast. However, it isn’t overdone. You still feel like you are part of Fallout 3’s world, be it through little details in the environment, the characters, or even bits of story. The new graphical assets are completely different than anything in Fallout 3 with lush trees, rundown and overgrown buildings (as opposed to bombed out buildings), and lots of water everywhere. The lighting and sound really add to this, creating a very creepy vibe.
And it’s this new creepy vibe that adds the most to the presentation in Point Lookout. Fallout 3 was creepy on its own, but not on the level of Point Lookout. Wandering through the swamps you’ll find little touches that made the hairs on the back of my neck stand up. Dolls impaled on spikes, toys scattered here and there, the sound of something crying off in the distance, all provide an atmosphere that makes the dark marshland all the more creepy. Even the mumbling and screaming of the swampfolk will give you goosebumps as you fire franticly at them. I’ll never forget the first time one came running at me full speed with an ax, giggling like a child. And be sure to explore the mine for a very scary haunted house experience.
The graphics and sound are on par with the quality of Fallout 3. The wonderful modeling and realistic textures really put you there in Point Lookout, creating a world that seems real. The sound is fantastic, from the sounds of the swampfolk and the ambient sounds, they really add to the world. Additionally, the voice acting is believable and emotional, creating a greater sense of attachment to the characters.
Point Lookout is on quality with Fallout 3, adding a great deal to the already amazing presentation. The developers did a fantastic job making Point Lookout seem totally real and alive.
Score: 9/10
Overview
Point Lookout is a great addition to Fallout 3. The story is engaging and well written. The new elements and items added to the gameplay keep it fun and engaging, and keep it fresh. The swamp and natural setting is a welcome one, and the creepiness really adds to the experience. If you already have Fallout 3, this is a must buy. If not, you should probably pick up Fallout 3. Point Lookout’s 8 hours of gameplay for $10 (or 800 MS Points) is a great value, and should not be missed.
Final Score: 9/10(Average of Story, Gameplay, and Presentation)
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