Fallout New Vegas

[Zanz L. Barre The 3rd]

I usually play through once, do a little exploring and focus on the story, but on my second play through I'll use the guide and hunt for weapons and skill books.

When I start a new game in NV, my priority is to determine what perks I'll want, what their requirements are, and from there decide how SPECIAL points can be maximized. Usually I'll prioritize 6 Endurance (Intense training @lv2 to make it 7) and 9 Intelligence, leave Goodsprings at lv1, circle the world map and acquire skill books until I reach New Vegas. Then I'll gamble up a storm, obtain enough caps for 1 Intelligence, quick travel back to Goodsprings, and be on my way. I'm sure to not surpass any skill by 70 points until I've gotten all the skill books and calculated how many points I can save if gear is incorporated (ie stop at 80 science and save a science book + the lab coat which grants an additional 10 science).

I've generally prioritized Science, Lockpick, and Speech for events, but how's Barter? Never really tried it since I rarely buy from shops, but if it allows for interesting conversation I'd check it out.

Also, I'll be making a character with scarce offensive advantages in terms of perks and focusing on random shit (terrifying presence, etc.) since your character is generally over-powered unless you're on Hard or Very Hard difficulty.

[Atreides]

Barter is actually quite useful for getting extra rewards and it does have an impact on buy/sell prices, but I always forget to use magazines when buying stuff. As for challenges, you're probably safe with 55 barter max, then using a Roving Trader outfit for +5 and a magazine for the few challenges that require 80, although there is one 90 Barter challenge too so you could go with 65 if you wanted to be safe.

IMO barter is a bit more useful in the long run in FONV than FO3, since there's a lot more to buy in this game and you'll end up needing at least 20-30k caps for implants, but then again you can pretty much get infinite caps via gambling so I guess it evens out

[person2007]

Finally, hit 1000/1000 Achievements, only took 86 hours of gameplay. So much stuff still to do in game though, i've done around 66 side quests and i'm pretty sure there's about 160 something quests in total

[Wintermute]

I decided to put off as much of the main plot as possible while I went and sorted out companions and hit lv27 before I even entered the Strip.

That said I'm kind of disappointed in how lack-luster some of the companions are. One or two have Side-Quests that take quite some effort to trigger or clear and others feel like they've just been put in last minute.
Then there's the fact some of the perks are total bullshit or must-haves.

ED-E's radar and Boone's Spotter are stupidly useful pretty much all the time whereas I feel like the others are a bum deal given how much combat there is.
I find I'm only using the others because I think Boone is a total kill-stealing cockwipe. Cass is cool but her shotgun is awful, and Veronica is pretty hilarious with her punching Zeal but she gets swamped easily.

Mind you a lot of the player perks are trash too unless you're building a specific type of character to roleplay.

[Atreides]

Lily is pretty hilarious, but personally I feel like they should have made it so Raul gives you free repairs after you do his quest

[Wintermute]

Lily is pretty hilarious, but personally I feel like they should have made it so Raul gives you free repairs after you do his quest

I can't stand Lily. I spend all my time in Sneak mode and her "I CAN BE QUIET" schtick go old 20 seconds into her quest.

Apparently Cass will use a Hunting Shotgun if you give her one? May try that.

[Eticket]

I, too, have thoroughly enjoyed hearing the different voice actors. The voice acting is one department where New Vegas definitely blows Fallout 3 out of the water. I mean, Fallout 3's voice acting was ok, but it seemed like it was quite literally the same 6-8 people doing the voices for everyone in the game, where as New Vegas seems to really have a diverse cast. I noticed the manual did not have a list of voice actors, but from what I have played I have narrowed down the following:
Mr. New Vegas = Wayne Newton
Doc Mitchell = Michael Hogan
Mr. House = Rene Auberjonis (aka motherfuckin ODO!)
Marcus = Michael Dorn
Chief Hanlon = Kris Kristofferson
Raul = Danny Trejo
Benny = Matthew Perry (yes, Chandler from Friends)
Yes Man = Dave Foley

Also, apparently Rob Cordry and Felicia Day voice characters, but either I haven't found them or I never noticed. Also, I have a suspicion that Boone is voiced by Will Friedle, the guy that was in Boy Meets World and voiced Batman in Batman Beyond.

EDIT: Well I actually checked IMDB instead, turns out Boone was voiced by James Marsden of Cyclops fame, oh well.

Rob Cordry is Billy West I think, one of the comedians on the Strip.

Felicia Day is Veronica.

Wil Wheaton tweeted that he did the Robobrain voices.

[Atreides]

Zach Levi voices Arcade too

[Wintermute]

I only recognized Odo and Worf.

Pretty interesting seeing all the actors they pulled in.

[Tyrath]

I can't stand Lily. I spend all my time in Sneak mode and her "I CAN BE QUIET" schtick go old 20 seconds into her quest.

It's so annoying. But I really like her smacking things with her giant sword haha. Plus I like being ranged so it's nice to have melee companion(s).

[Grey Jorildyn]

For some reason even though I have all the parts to repair the food processor at McCarran, it won't let me repair it. Really god damn annoying. I've checked the list again and again with what I have in my inventory and I have every single part, some even a few more than are required. What gives?

I, too, have thoroughly enjoyed hearing the different voice actors. The voice acting is one department where New Vegas definitely blows Fallout 3 out of the water. I mean, Fallout 3's voice acting was ok, but it seemed like it was quite literally the same 6-8 people doing the voices for everyone in the game, where as New Vegas seems to really have a diverse cast. I noticed the manual did not have a list of voice actors, but from what I have played I have narrowed down the following:
Mr. New Vegas = Wayne Newton
Doc Mitchell = Michael Hogan
Mr. House = Rene Auberjonis (aka motherfuckin ODO!)
Marcus = Michael Dorn
Chief Hanlon = Kris Kristofferson
Raul = Danny Trejo
Benny = Matthew Perry (yes, Chandler from Friends)
Yes Man = Dave Foley

Also, apparently Rob Cordry and Felicia Day voice characters, but either I haven't found them or I never noticed. Also, I have a suspicion that Boone is voiced by Will Friedle, the guy that was in Boy Meets World and voiced Batman in Batman Beyond.

EDIT: Well I actually checked IMDB instead, turns out Boone was voiced by James Marsden of Cyclops fame, oh well.

I think Felicia Day voices Veronica, the brotherhood scribe companion. At least it totally sounds like her. She's a badass partner too!

[Wintermute]

I think Felicia Day voices Veronica, the brotherhood scribe companion. At least it totally sounds like her. She's a badass partner too!

I'm heartbroken that you can give her a dress but she'll never actually wear it.

Totally wanted to see her beating the shit out of stuff in a pink dress.

[Avarice]

Fuck mountains. Seriously. Can't get anywhere you want to go if your destination involves passing them.

[Boyiee]

Sooo, this worth getting?

I have only played about an hour into Fallout3, haven't done much of anything, but I know the games aren't really connected so it wouldn't hurt to get new vegas.

2 of my friends just started playing it today so it would be nice to progress with them, but with blackops and wow coming out I'd need to spend over 100$ in games for the next month, so I'm reluctant.

[Charismatic]

If you didn't really get into Fallout 3, I doubt you'll get into New Vegas... these are games that either suck you in and you play TONS or you just don't get for the most part.

[Grey Jorildyn]

It's 100% worth getting if you like the style of gaming. However don't really go into it thinking you can progress with your friend. Everyone plays this game differently. What I said to my girlfriend last night is everyone starts in Goodsprings, but where you go after that is entirely up to you. Follow the main story line? Do lotsa side quests? Find undiscovered lands? Be an energy weapon specialist? Wield high-powered explosives? It's entirely up to what you want. Since Fallout 3 the series has had a very single-player MMORPG feel where you have complete control over what you want your character to excel in and where s/he wants to head.

I don't think any two people play Fallout exactly the same way. Maybe similarly, but each experience is unique and that is what makes this game absolutely wonderful.

[Boyiee]

It's not that I didn't get into fallout3, I just didn't start it till recently. And I know we won't progress the same but we might still finish at around the same time.

Typically we play the main story then start a 2nd playthrough, etc.

No idea how to allocate my points though. Was thinking to go +7 or 8 INT, the rest PER or something for lockpicking, energy weapons, and maybe speech... but sniper rifles+sneak is really tempting, and I remember repair saving tons of money.

[Eggroll]

I wouldn't pick stats based on what skills they enhance, but rather the bonuses they give like Agi giving more AP, since you can always allocate skills however you want. Perception isn't so great in New Vegas because you can just have ED-E tag along with you, which basically gives you the bonus of having 10 perception so long as you keep him with you.

[Boyiee]

Then maybe I'll go snipers with like 7-8 int and 7agi to start off. Lockpick/guns/sneak or something.

[Eticket]

Damn. I worked through Quarry Junction and took out the Alpha and most of the regulars. I had the Mother down to 30% when she came after me. Popped a few meds, switched to unarmed and started swinging. Switched to VATs for the cast couple swings, the Mysterious Stranger popped and she fucking killed me during his animation. ><

Tried to go back through there and the game crashed on me again.