Fallout 3 details emerge

Fallout 3 is deep in development. After years of wait, rumors, a Van Buren tech demo, and change of developers, the beloved RPG franchise is finally underway and in the hands of the very capable Bethesda Softworks.

Then why is FPS Rantings covering it?

While the game is an RPG, Fallout 3 offers us the option of shooting stuff in real time. There’s also a system in place for those who can’t handle the twitch, but you can bet your bullets which system we’ll use.

Joystiq gave us more details about the highly-anticipated sequel, and suffice to say, we’re happy with what we’ve heard. The entry was quick to add that Fallout 3 isn’t “Oblivion with guns.” The game’s engine comes with a spiffy “parallax occlusion mapping” that lets you riddle almost every surface with bullet holes.

Sounds like an FPS to me.

There’s not much detail with the story, other than an underlying need to exit Vault 101, your home, to look for your missing father, who will be voiced by Liam Neeson.

Fallout 3 will use the Vault-Tec Assisted Targeting System, which lets you pause the game as you plan out your next moves. There will be number crunching under the hood as an RPG should, and shots can be targeted at specific parts of an enemy’s body. Some really good hits will result in gruesome, slow-motion replay. Bethesda thinks the system is similar to Burnout’s crash mode, but with body parts.

Like all news of upcoming games, concerns crop up. My chief anxiety is the hardware requirements. I’m expecting a mandatory PC upgrade when the game comes out in fall of ‘08. Sure, you can always go for the consoles, but an upgrade is actually cheaper even if you’re looking at an Xbox 360 as your next toy.

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