Written by: Ian

 

 

 

"Point Lookout" is the 4th of Fallout 3’s impressive array of DLC packs. Is it all starting to get a bit stale now or do Bethseda continue to deliver? 'Point Lookout' was only announced much later than the first three packs, so is it an attempt to cash in on the popularity of the first three packs, or does it standalone properly in it’s own right?

 

 

I really like the story progression in PL- it’s more subtle that the other three packs; therefore it becomes more of a pleasure when the scope and scale of the story builds up over the course of the main plot.

 

 

The starting point is travelling to point lookout in search of a mother’s lost daughter who has gone there; however you soon end up in what is probably the most explosive property dispute of all time, and get caught up in the local loony cult who like to get smacked on the local equivalent of crack. You also get some pretty awesome moral choices as the situation pans out, and as is often the case with Fallout, it’s a case of choosing between pretty shady and really dodgy.

 

In addition, there’s quite a few really interesting side missions to be found around the map which adds to the value of the pack considerably.

 

 

To me, the standard of gameplay in PL is superior to any of the three previously released packs. Whilst they have been largely linear, and quite combat focused, here, the progression is far more like the original game; and for me, this was a really nice change of pace. Whilst you can just go off and do the single player missions, even then there is a fair amount of exploration and chatting to be done.

 

However, the game rewards you with side-quests, bonus experience and even an achievement if you go off and really try and explore all corners of the map. And the map itself is pleasingly large, comprising an area around a fifth of the size of the wasteland. As mentioned before, the new area is also really cool with the swamp setting, changing up the gameplay a little as you try to make out enemies through the fog, and also get surprised by them from various angles.

 

It’s really nice just to spend some time checking out the huge map and all the little secrets Bethseda has hidden within the swamp, such as an old Chinese submarine, and a crashed US fighter jet.

 

 

The moral choices and story also really help the gameplay too, as they are a cut above the other packs in terms of their quality. It also brings in some new themes, like cults, drug use/abuse and old rivalries that play out over the course of the main quest.

 

The side-quests are also superior to the other packs, including a really intriguing one where you have to find out what happened to a Chinese agent. It’s top quality-stuff throughout, crafted with care and love.