Qwertyman: I actually never got around to playing the first Fallout (played the second one MANY times, though, and love it), but doesn't it have some kind of goofy time constraint on the game? Time constraints are a major turn off for me personally in games or even when there are specific missions/quests in games that have to be completely fast. I I'm not saying they don't fit into the context of the situation in the game, but it just isn't fun to rush around and skip exploring because of a time limit. Less enjoyment for me that way.

Azilut: That's part of how Fallout is designed. It's an open world and you're free to go anywhere, in theory... it's just that most places will kick your ass (at first). So generally that whole "I went to location X and wow look at all my limbs go flying off" is a good indicator that you should avoid that location for now and come back when you're levelled up and have better equipment.

Personally, I like that kind of "restriction" a lot better than invisible walls or just not being able to travel to map locations. It also allows you the fun of "pushing your luck" and sneaking into a deadly area that you're not nearly ready for, to try to quickly grab some piece of epic equipment you've heard about and then try to get out alive.

But yeah, it does mean that the game has a little bit more "trial and error" at first. Once you get your first submachine gun that can fire on 'burst' mode, you'll be dropping Radscorpions like they were giant radioactive flies.

EDIT: One thing that I will warn you about in Fallout 1: the companion AI is /terrible/. Do not give them guns, they will just shoot you in the back while trying to target enemies. In my opinion, you're better off going solo (except for the dog, he's awesome). Fallout 2 fixed a lot of that.

Qwertyman: I actually never got around to playing the first Fallout (played the second one MANY times, though, and love it), but doesn't it have some kind of goofy time constraint on the game? Time constraints are a major turn off for me personally in games or even when there are specific missions/quests in games that have to be completely fast. I I'm not saying they don't fit into the context of the situation in the game, but it just isn't fun to rush around and skip exploring because of a time limit. Less enjoyment for me that way.

AlKim: If I recall correctly, there is a generous time limit in which you have to complete a major objective of the main quest; after you reach said objective, the time limit is removed and you're free to go about your business. If it wasn't so originally, it was in a patch or a mod.

Nergal01: There's a time limit of 150 days to complete the first big objective in the game. That may sound somewhat harsh, but it actually isn't. There is a way to extend the time limit, and besides, even without the extension you should be able to find the thing you're looking for in less than 150 days with relative ease. The first Fallout simply isn't a very big game.

Qwertyman: Ah, okay. Good to hear. I planned on getting around to playing it eventually anyways, but it definitely sounds more appealing knowing that the time limit isn't really a big issue.

StingingVelvet: No, this year it's been hard to get around to new stuff because of my volunteering. I plan to get to Amalur and Risen 2 when I get home. It's kind of MMO-like though isn't it?