In Bethesda’s games, difficulty has never been a major concern, but with Fallout: London (FOLON), the difficulty cannot be taken for granted.
The game feels tougher than it seems, particularly in its starting stages, which might separate players who are habitual to the freedom of the main series. These players might find themselves continuously facing defeat as they try to explore the world, possibly leading to an irritating experience.
The mod gives the option to leave the main quest at start and roam in any direction. London’s environment in Fallout: London is deep and complex, making navigation a struggle.
Sometimes you will find yourself blocked by seemingly hard obstacles, only to face enemy factions armed with strong weapons when trying to find a way around. It is advisable to stick with allies and follow the main plot, at least during the start.
The game’s design is more similar to that of Fallout: New Vegas (NV) than Fallout 4, in spite of being based on latter.
Just as New Vegas discourage players from making a beeline for the Strip by placing dangerous creatures in their path, FOLON gently poke you to stay on track with the main story by making you relatively helpless in London’s most dangerous areas. It’s a well-known experience for anyone who has played NV.
The New Vegas influence is a proof in other aspects as well. FOLON features a cast of non-professional voice actors for its NPCs, with varying degrees of talent, but all adding a certain charm.
Unlike Fallout 4, your character in FOLON is voiceless, and instead of the much-criticized four-option dialogue wheel, the game gives a more traditional dialogue box. This allows for a wider range of responses and helps in making of your character’s personality.
While the writing does not quite reach the level of New Vegas – an admittedly high bar for any mod – it’s still engaging.
The dialogue can sometimes feel that it is explained more than required, unnatural, or drawn out, and the repeated use of the phrase “mind the gap” seems to serve as a constant reminder that you are in London.
But these are small issues in an otherwise enjoyable experience. Conversations with the game’s strange characters are mostly a happy, occasionally even eliciting a laugh.
The game’s NPCs are not only talkative but also part of various factions, each with its own standout flavor. There are rumors of other groups, like the aristocratic Gentry, the mutant Thamesfolk, and the fascist 5th Column, inspired by V for Vendetta’s Norsefire.
These factions add a peculiar British twist to the game, making them fascinating and anything but ordinary.
But the biggest drawback is the game’s instability. You can only play for about 15 minutes at a time before it crashes. In spite of the impressive work the team has done in creating a national transplant of the most moving series, these technical issues are a major obstacle.
The game needs to be repaired to function properly, especially considering the complicated installation process for those who do not own Fallout 4 on GOG. Installing the mod on Steam is a tiring task, though this is more Bethesda’s fault than the mod teams.
Conclusion
So, would anyone recommend playing Fallout: London? Absolutely. But would you suggest playing it right now? Not just yet. The game needs a few more weeks of improvement before it can be wholeheartedly recommended, even though it is free.
It’s almost like a typical Bethesda release in that sense – promising, but needing a bit more time to reach its full potential.
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