As much as I’ve been talking about Fallout over the past day it’s starting to feel like a Fallout blog here. Maybe I should alter my banner…
I’ll worry about that later. I’ve played Fallout some more and I’m falling in love with this game. Really, I am. I’m still having a bit of a hard time working out a strategy that works for me when it comes to combat, but overall I’m finding that it’s a very fun game with a lot of depth to be plumbed. And I haven’t even played it very much. I love games that involve puzzles and what I’m finding with Fallout is that the game is a puzzle, just a different kind than I’m used to playing.
I’ve never been particularly fond of games that take a top-down view, but I really don’t mind in this case (except when I get attacked by something behind a wall that I don’t see until I’m right next to it; that’s the third-person shooter player in me coming out). And as silly as this sounds I have no idea where to find what I need to get into Vault 15. I’m tempted to hit up Per’s Walkthrough, but I really want to get through it on my own so I’m resisting. Every once in a while I’ll use a game walkthrough, but only when I’m so frustrated I’m about to throw a very expensive item out my window.
So anyway, finding that thing is my goal tomorrow; right now I’m enjoying an overdose of Mystery Science Theater 3000 and I’m much too tired to think about finding things in a game.
At the behest of the good folks at No Mutants Allowed I got myself a copy of Fallout and started playing it. Within 5 minutes of actual gameplay I was dead. Killed by manti.
This is not a bash on the game at all. It’s actually an embarrassing admission of my completely un-gamerlike inability to play with any combat systems that don’t involve heavy mashing of buttons on a controller. The game itself – what little I’ve seen of it anyway – is fun. Granted, I had just barely left Vault 13 and seen the sun for the first time, but I will probably have to be yanked away from my computer once I really start getting into this game.
Does this mean I’m well on my way to becoming a rabid Fallout fan? We’ll see. I’m not placing any bets just yet. My usual game fare involves copious amounts of puzzle-solving, the occasional scare, and lots of hiding behind things. All on a console; PS3 to be exact (my preciousssss). So this is a fairly large departure for me. But hey, we should all try new things, shouldn’t we?
Fear not, Fallout faithful, I will prevail and have a dang good time doing it (see, the no swearing thing goes for me, too).
Have some hints or tips on how to play and get the most out of Fallout? I’d love to hear them. Comment, send me an email, whatever you feel you have to do to get my attention. I really want to fully enjoy this game and those who have gone before are the best equipped to shove me in the right direction. So, shove away!
Filed under: Adventure, Gaming, Reviews, Vintage games | Tags: simon the sorcerer
Recently I’ve been playing a game that, for some reason, never really left my mind. The first time I played it was on a x286 (I couldn’t even tell you the specs on that baby anymore) using two 3.5″ floppy discs and rockin’ out to the coolness that was the midi soundtrack. I’m talking about Simon the Sorcerer. At the time it came out in 1993, the graphics were the best thing since sliced bread and the dialogue was witty and suitably dry. In playing through it again I can honestly say it is still one of the Best. Games. Ever.
Click on thumbnails for larger view.
Yes, this game is incredibly old. No, it is not 3D and the graphics don’t hold a candle to the new generation of games (or even the one before). But I defy you to find an old game that brings me this much joy after after 15 years.
The thing that strikes me the most about this game is that, while the graphics are definitely nowhere near what you find now, they are still really good. The colors are vibrant and there is a lot of detail you simply didn’t find in most games back in the day. The backgrounds may not move, but they look pretty.
The wit displayed in the game is decidedly dry (notice in the picture that if you are away from your computer while the game is running Simon will take out his tape deck and listen to it). But you can hardly expect it not to be when the developer is a British-based company called Adventuresoft. Video games like this totally reflect the mannerisms and humor of the culture they are developed in and this game is no different. I love that I can get that dry humor fix while playing a game.
The sound is all midi. We’re talking old school, here. Music that loops for a little while, then stops for a bit if you’ve been in the same scene too long, then starts right back up again. And yet I never tire of it. It’s mind-boggling I tell you. This is exactly the type of thing that would make me want to hurl my computer out the window if it was any other game. And yet I’m at peace playing this one. Who knew?
The gameplay is simple: point and click. It’s a game exclusively concerned with solving puzzles. I think the lightness of it is what makes it so timeless for me. I can totally see myself 10 years from now tooling around on whatever ridiculously fast new computer I have, running across this on my hard drive and loading the latest emulator to play it.
Verdict: A. You didn’t expect any less did you? I’ve played this game exactly twice (lost the discs) in 15 years and it’s still stuck in my mind and a blast to play. So I’m flat-out ordering that you find this game and play it. Do it now!
