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Fallout 3: Point Lookout
Release Date: June 23, 2009
Reviewed On: Xbox 360
Also Available On: Microsoft Windows, PlayStation 3 (10/08/2009)
Developer: Bethesda Game Studios
Publisher: Bethesda Softworks, ZeniMax Media
ESRB Rating: Mature - Blood and Gore, Intense Violence, Sexual Themes, Strong Language, Use of Drugs
PEGI Rating: 18+ - Violence, Bad Language
OFLC Rating: MA 15+ - Strong Violence, Drug References, Coarse Language
Bethesda’s expansions have become somewhat of a benchmark for the quality and quantity of downloadable content over the last few years. With the final batch of Fallout 3 expansions, Bethesda approaches the amount of content in their first next-gen hit, The Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion. Point Lookout, the supposed beginning of the end for Fallout 3 DLC, adds a substantially sized, new territory, which hasn’t been affected as directly by the nukes as the rest of Maryland was.
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<i>Welcome to Point Lookout! You can't see the Lighthouse, but it can see you!</i></center>
The Lone Wanderer’s arrival in Point Lookout seems very ominous; as ever, the atmosphere in Point Lookout is as phenomenal as the rest of the Capital Wasteland. This new area is comprised of a pier – complete with a boardwalk, game stands, and a Ferris wheel – and the surrounding swamplands. It gives the expansion a feeling of being set in a voodoo-ridden Southern state. The stereotypes fall into place once the player takes his first steps off the safety of the boardwalk though.
Point Lookout may have the best variety of quests and side-quests of all the Fallout 3 expansions, and this is primarily due to Point Lookout state park being so atmospheric and large. The main quest pits you in the center of a centuries-long rivalry between two gentlemen who have managed to survive the nuclear holocaust through very different means. Included in the main quest is “Walking with Spirits,” the most compelling reason to throw down your $10. This mission takes the Lone Wanderer on an incredibly trippy ride that succeeds because of its unorthodox nature. You’ve never experienced anything like this.
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<i>Two barrels means you blow BOTH eyes out of the skull at the same time!</i></center>
The side-quests make great use of the land and send the player to all corners of the map and nearly everywhere in between. In fact, the Bog Walker achievement (see all locations in Point Lookout) will very easily be obtained if the player puts time and effort into all five marked side-quests. The rewards, perks and equipment are all pretty standard fare and won’t really feel worthwhile to players unless they are focused on melee, or have a thing for clowns.
After trudging through the lush bogs of Point Lookout, there is no doubt that this will be the expansion people keep coming back to. Unlike The Pitt, this expansion has lots to offer the player “after the fact.” Merely patrolling the swamps to deal with the deformed Swampfolk proves a worthwhile challenge, and having any one of the five types in the game charge you out of nowhere will undoubtedly rekindle memories from your first Feral Ghoul encounter.
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<i>Is this Swampfolk the product of fallout, or inbreeding? I'd be more concerned about his axe!</i></center>
Aurally, Point Lookout sounds like a swamp, a state park and an attraction where it needs to, but occasionally fail to pick up on “when” it needs to. Several times while walking through the dreary bogs, the sound would abruptly change to accentuate the Lone Wanderer’s surroundings. While these expansions (and Fallout 3 for that matter) are known for their “buggy” nature, it feels like these errors should be nonexistent nearly a year later.
Along the same lines, texture pop-in is an issue, as well as the game’s famous detection problems, but these things aside, it’s all superbly designed with atmosphere oozing from between the boardwalk planks and out of the Punga Fruits. Aside from Broken Steel’s obvious advantage because of the level cap increase and end-game elimination, Point Lookout is the expansion to own for this game. The content is a little lacking, but the level and mission design more than make up for this considering it can be revisited when the player needs a break from the Wastes. Ya’ll come back now!
Story: 8.5/10
Gameplay: 9.0/10
Graphics: 8.0/10
Audio: 8.5/10
Total Gaming Network Rating: 8.6