Amazon.com Review
Black Isle’s original Fallout RPG is a bona fide classic, and the post-apocalyptic gameworld used for that game series is one that’s sorely missed by plenty of gamers. While some of them would prefer another straight up RPG set in that world, most will be content with Brotherhood of Steel, a co-operative beat ‘em up action RPG that bears more than a passing resemblance to the fan favorite fantasy game Baldur’s Gate: Dark Alliance.
Fallout: BOS uses the same game engine as Dark Alliance, so fans know they’re getting sharp graphics, an isometric action perspective, and an easy to use inventory. Instead of kobolds and giants, Fallout pits your characters against mutated ghouls, giant bugs, mice of extraordinary size, and much worse, all set against the backdrop of nuclear devastated cities and wastelands. The goal of the game is to find the Brotherhood of Steel, self appointed guardians of the wastes.
Prostitutes, two headed cattle, and regular folks dish out quests that have you killing monsters and finding lost items in no time, and the combat is as cool and responsive as the environments are weird and refreshing after all the fantasy themed D&D-like games in the genre. You can use guns, lasers, and nasty melee weapons and, as always, you must loot the bodies of your foes for better weapons, ammo, and the credits you need to buy more weapons. Characters level up and gain new skills and abilities, to better face the challenges to come.
Unlike most action RPGs of this type Fallout BOS features branching conversations that alter some of the quests ahead. This makes the replay value higher than normal and makes the game feel all the more refreshing. Parents should note that this Fallout is similar to the earlier games in that the subject matter tends to be more "adult" but Fallout fans should also be warned that this isn’t the Fallout III they’re pining for. It’s satisfying enough as an action RPG, but that’s all it is.--Andrew S. Bub
Pros:
Gauntlet with guns
Quests are affected by dialog choices
Cons:
Where is Fallout 3?
Game Informer Review
What we're witnessing here, people, is the merging of two separate groups of people: Fallout fans who will slit the throats of those who betray their franchise, and action/role-playing fans who would rather slay radioactive spiders than dragons (at least once in a while).
I have good news for both camps. Fallout devotees can breathe again, knowing that the transition to top-down action preserved some of the most noteworthy aspects of the franchise. Like the strategy entries in the series, Brotherhood of Steel features hysterical, well-done voice acting and post-apocalyptic humor of that very particular breed popularized by the earlier games.
What the rest of us should know is that this is an entirely adequate action game, with a touch of role-playing about a post-apocalyptic Earth. During your journey, you'll hack n' slash your way through an army of foes, defeat a few interesting bosses, and allocate points towards customizing your hero. Other notable features include a two-player mode and the nice implementation of having your equipped armor and weapons appear clearly on your character.
Using the Baldur's Gate: Dark Alliance engine, Brotherhood of Steel is certainly a respectable entry into this genre, and is funny enough to bring a few holdouts into its fold.
Concept:
Bring the Fallout of yore into an overhead action game
Graphics:
I have a sneaking suspicion that they're fabulous, but the top-down view doesn't really let you get in there for a good look
Sound:
No soundtrack to speak of, but great voice acting and useful enemy sounds
Playability:
The controls are easy and straightforward
Entertainment:
Brotherhood of Steel is strangely engrossing despite its merely average show in many regards
Replay:
Moderate
Rated: 8 out of 10
Editor: Lisa Mason
Issue: February 2004
2nd Opinion:
It's nice to see a sci-fi themed dungeon crawler every once and a while. This style of game typically has a fantasy setting, so the change in motif instantly sets Fallout apart from the rest of the genre. But does that mean it's one of the best titles of its type? Well, no; but it ain't bad, either. With its tongue-in-cheek humor and sharp graphics, Fallout has a great mood to it, and the gameplay is sound, if a little shallow. Ranged combat is a tad painful until you level up your shooting skills. The quest is a bit too linear to have much replay value, but the three playable characters each develop uniquely later in the game, adding a bit more reason to pick it up a second time. Much like the ‘50s sci-fi films on which it is based, Fallout will only appeal to a specific audience, but those who pick it up will enjoy its camp appeal.
Rated: 8 out of 10
Editor: Jeremy Zoss |
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