Lights less bright in ‘Fallout: New Vegas'

Score: 87/100

Post-apocalyptic America is full of murderous mutated insects the size of Hondas, but it’s the small bugs that keep Fallout: New Vegas from reaching the heights of its acclaimed predecessors.

New Vegas, an open-world roleplaying game that plays like a first-person shooter, suffers from quite a few graphical glitches – textures pop in and out on walls, creatures pass through alleged solid objects and walk at odd angles to the ground.

Seeing giant scorpions and ants doing handstands across an irradiated Mojave Desert, and other curious antics, makes the game feel hastily produced. I can’t count how many times I saw a floating plant or rock. Perhaps the game designers, by creating such a large, walkable area, bit off more than they could chew. A smaller, more polished game world would have been better.

But, those are minor annoyances. At its core, New Vegas is a fine game and a big one; developers say it will take casual gamers 80 hours to finish the main quest. After spending about 20 hours running and gunning, I completed roughly 60 percent of the main storyline, but had skipped a dozen substantial side quests.

New Vegas has a lot to offer, obviously. Here’s some high and low points:

• The action is great, especially in turn-based mode. The slow-motion replays of the violence never get old.
• It's possible to create a wide range of characters. A fast-talking, faster-shooting cowboy or a drug-addicted thug with a penchant for explosives is equally viable.
• The storyline is a departure from previous games. In the past, the hero had to complete a mission to save the residents of his nuke-proof underground vault. Traditionally, he had to find parts to repair a life-sustaining water purifier. In New Vegas, the plot is more self-serving. The player, a courier, is shot and almost killed by an unknown assailant and spends his days trying to find out who did it and why. The hero can become the "King of New Vegas," which is a lot better outcome than the forced martyrdom in Fallout 3.
• A new Hardcore mode requires the hero to find water, food and a bed to sleep on. It's a great challenge to keep enough water on hand. Visiting one of the few lakes and gulping radioactive water in a desperate bid to stay alive was oddly rewarding.
• It takes many, many hours to see the lights of New Vegas. The slow start may discourage some players.
• The graphics seem dated, basically the same as 2008's Fallout 3.
• Companions are now more easily controlled.
• Lots of new weapons, including dynamite, and players can create their own, thanks to a new crafting system. Experienced Fallout fans will love it, but it may confuse newcomers.
• Various factions are vying for control of the Mojave, and the player must choose sides. It makes for some interesting decisions. Should you back the local military, or join the madmen trying to blow up Hoover Dam?