Title: Fallout 3
Platform: PC, PS3, Xbox 360 (reviewed)
Studio: Bethesda
Rated: M for Mature
Score: 10 of 10

THE REVIEW:

Gameplay: Washington, D.C., is a city full of iconic symbols that don't define just a city but a nation. Monuments to past U.S. presidents such as Washington and Lincoln are instantly recognizable, apparently, even after the end of the world.

"Fallout 3" begins (without any need for exposure to the previous two games) inside Vault 101, far away from the radiation that has destroyed most of civilization and the mutant humans and creatures that terrorize what is left of it. Living a sheltered life in the vault prepares players for the great outdoors in such a clever yet functional way that it seems unlikely the rest of the game can live up to the standard. It does.

Most storytelling (film, theater, literature, even jokes) relies on a distinct beginning, middle and end. Fallout lets the players customize the structured beginning and then kicks them out into the wide-open world to make their own middle and end. Like the ultra-popular "Grand Theft Auto" series, and developer Bethesda's previous "Elder Scrolls" games, the world is at the players' feet.

But that world is full of deadly things like dog-sized cockroaches, hungry mongrels and irradiated, mindless survivors and pockets of deadly, slimey radiation. There are a variety of ways to die and plenty of methods to live. With highly customizable characters, players can choose to get by on their skills with computers, stealth, firearms, other character interaction or even just running a lot.

Even the most peace-loving player will eventually rely on violence to survive, and the game features an innovative combat system that gives players options on how to attack. The in-game world freezes while players can choose which weapon to attack with and which limb or extremity of the bad-guy to go after. Legs or a head might display a lower percentage chance to hit but may blind an opponent or render him lame.

Combat results are graphic, and the severed limbs or blood splatters alone would earn the game its mature rating. Adult curse words are present as well, and the leftovers of world devastation are horrific as well. Pains were taken not to display nudity of any kind, and there are some subtle instances of sexuality but not sex. In other words, its a pretty easy setting to be heroic in.