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And the wiki.Release date(s): October 19th in North America, October 22nd in Europe, and November 4th in Japan.
Setting and Story
The game is set in a post-apocalyptic, retro-futuristic Las Vegas following the Great War between the U.S., China and other countries, a conventional and nuclear war that occurred on October 23, 2077 and lasted less than two hours despite causing immense damage and destruction. Before the Great War were the Resource Wars, during which the United Nations disbanded, a plague rendered the United States paranoid, and Canada was annexed. The city of New Vegas itself, didn't get hit as much as other districts, and most buildings were left intact. The Hoover Dam supplies all the free electricity and water to those who control it.
The story will continue some parts of the Fallout and Fallout 2 stories, but will not be related in any way to the one in Fallout 3.
Fallout: New Vegas takes place in 2281, three years after the events of Fallout 3 and thirty-nine years after Fallout 2, making this installment set furthest of the series. The New California Republic plays a major part in the story in a three way struggle between the Caesar's Legion slavers and the local New Vegas populace.
The Courier, the player character, is meant to deliver a package to Primm. The Courier is then floored by the Great Khans, and Benny stands in front of the Courier with the Khans cornering the Courier (who is on the ground), holding the platinum chip in his hand. Benny says "Look's like this is going to be your last delivery, kid.", then proceeds to shoot the Courier. The camera zooms out and a Khan can be seen digging a grave for him. He is found by a robot named Victor and is sent to the city of Goodsprings. Mitchell then heals him. He is given some medical tests. The player has the option to recieve training from Sunny Smiles. The player is then pushed back into the open world and the quest Ain't That a Kick in the Head begins. Fallout: New Vegas will have a definitive ending, just like Fallout 3.
Gameplay
The gameplay system will be similar to Fallout 3 gameplay, although some changes have been made, including changes to the combat system to make it more like a first person shooter, such as the ability to use weapon iron sights.
Hardcore mode
Hardcore mode is an optional setting which makes the game more realistic, with gameplay elements such as dehydration and healing over time. If the mode is switched to Casual, it is impossible to switch back to Hardcore. Either a trophy or achievement is awarded for completing Fallout: New Vegas on Hardcore mode. The Casual/Hardore mode distinction is independent of difficulty settings.
Character system
The SPECIAL system returns, and directly influences speech options and quests. Unlike Fallout 3, traits are available for taking, and perks are gained every 2 levels.
Combat
The Vault-Tec Assisted Targeting System, or V.A.T.S., is an active pause combat system implemented in the game, just like in Fallout 3. While using V.A.T.S., the otherwise real-time combat is paused. V.A.T.S. also allows the gory deaths in the game to be shown in slow motion and great detail. Attacks in V.A.T.S. cost action points, and the player can target specific body areas for attacks to inflict specific injuries. During real time combat you can now look down the iron sights of weapons rather than the zoom in Fallout 3. Unlike Fallout 3, melee weapons now have special moves in V.A.T.S., such as "Fore!" for golf clubs. Another feature being added, is that if an enemy has a high damage threshold, some weapons may be ineffective. This is shown by a red shield near the enemy's health bar when attacking it, in and out of VATS. The damage threshold will be due to high armor or a built in mechanic to that character, and will require the Courier to retreat, or attack with a more powerful weapon. Previews have also mentioned the presence of a dynamic 'Kill Cam' which shows the killing bullet in slow motion, permitting players who play in real-time to experience the same cinematic feel of V.A.T.S.
Karma and Reputation
Karma is back, but now incorporated alongside a reputation system, similar to Fallout 2.[2] Reputation is a form of tracking relationships within the factions and towns of Fallout: New Vegas, such as the NCR or Goodsprings, a high reputation with a faction or town may give certain benefits, such as gifts from the people of that town, while a low reputation may lead to hits being taken out against you. Karma in New Vegas will have very little effect compared to Fallout 3 as reputation will decide how people react to you.
Weapon modding feature
This modding feature allows you to modify your gun by adding things like scopes, expanded magazines, etc. You are able to have a weapon with no more than 3 mods attached to it. These mods will be permanent to that weapon. There will be unique weapons (as introduced in Fallout 3), and these will have unique textures and some may have unique models; although unique weapons will not be able to be modified.
As it has been mentioned by Chris Avellone directly, Obsidian implemented this feature as a direct response to the popularity of the Weapon Mod Kits mod for Fallout 3.
Companion wheel
A new companion wheel has been added to easily give companions commands such as 'Attack' and 'Flee'. It will also make it easier to swap health and equipment. The companions also have their likes and dislikes; giving a sniper companion a shotgun will result in a nasty remark and decreased effectiveness.
Gambling
New Vegas still has a variety of colorful casinos to explore. In Fallout: New Vegas gambling mini games have been added to experience gambling in a post apocalyptic world. Games like blackjack, roulette, and more will be featured. Luck may be a considerable factor when it comes to gambling. You get money for winning, and floor managers will congratulate you with food or drink and maybe a VIP stay at the hotel. Unfortunately there is a term for "too good" in the casinos, as winning too much money will make the managers come down and tell you to leave the casino on suspicions of cheating.
tl;dr: Gore, gambling, mutations, guns, nukes, etc etc.
Edit: Getting really close to release, PLEASE use spoiler warnings for major story points etc or I (for one) will abandon this thread D: something like this:
SPOILER:ogm imprtnt st0ry pnts here!!11!END SPOILER[color=red]SPOILER:[/color]
[size=7pt]ogm imprtnt st0ry pnts here!!11![/size]
[color=red]END SPOILER[/color]^just copypasta for all your spoiling needs^
