Fallout 3: Point Lookout takes place in the titular sleepy resort town which, while not directly targeted by the nuclear bombs, suffered in a less physically destructive way. The town’s historical accuracy intensifies its digital desolation, with the Point Lookout Light and Calvert Mansion bringing elements of real-life Maryland to the wasteland. Despite slight graphical and audio glitches, the new expansion provides a wealth of entertainment with great stories.
Players of the previous expansions will find graphical quality maintained. While the game looks nice as a whole, special mention goes to character models. The swampfolk, the primary enemies in the expansion, are either abnormally skinny or brutish with physical deformities. They look even more freakish than the Super Mutants. Lip syncing isn’t always correct, however, and some environments are rough around the edges.
The audio is good but also suffers minor flaws. The voice-over diverges from the subtitles every so often, which is distracting. Some characters don’t lip sync correctly either, sometimes to the point of not moving their mouths at all. These bugs should’ve been fixed prior to release, but as they do not impair game play, it’s a minor point. Point Lookout is an unpolished gem; it’s not attractive at some angles, but that doesn’t make it less valuable overall.
Despite rough spots, I love this expansion. You’ll find great stories in Point Lookout, running from the suspenseful to the supernatural to the everyday. You will help a English ghoul defend his ornate but decaying mansion from an onslaught of maddened Tribals, carry out the last mission of a long dead Chinese spy, and discover the fate of a long lost mineral survey team. Bethesda packed human interest in this expansion, and I loved every minute of it. If you wanted more of a human touch, this is for you.
There are some small flaws in Point Lookout, but the new plot and exotic environments make it an attractive draw for the Fallout 3 fan. Even 200 years after the bombs, the tourist trap / rural area duality survives, albeit in a diminished form. Along with the new experiences, you get new items and weapons. Even with minor rough spots, I heartily recommend this expansion pack.
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