I think I am beginning to understand the problems many of you said you had wiht New Vegas, in terms of the game being largely a central hub as opposed to a large world, lacking the post apocalyptic feel, and having bad writing.

- Light/Mild Spoilers Ahead -

I just finished my first expansion, Dead Money, which had a lot to like (LOVED DOG/GOD, Christine, and Dean!) and decided to do some main quest. I had intended to visit Caesar peacefully, but for some reason, everytime I went into the inside camp, I was attacked. Being significantly stronger than I was before, I went in and slaughtered the whole bunch, Caesar included. It wasn't easy, but I got it done. I got the chip, killed Benny, and then I hit my first problem.

I have no idea how to proceed. Siding with Mr. House seems to destroy my good reputation with the NCR (and I have read perhaps the Brotherhood), siding with Yes Man seems suspicious, as he uploads himself into the mainframe. Can you side with the NCR? What does that entail, killing House? It seems like Side Bets and House Always Wins are diametrically opposed, but how do you proceed with the NCR? I am a mainly good character, and have somewhat cooperated with House, done a lot with the NCR, Boomers, and Brotherhood.

In FO3, I always could roleplay my way forward, but the writing in this game doesn't make things as clear. That might be by design, but damn is it frustrating!

I have saved just before critical choices and tried out some of the options, but I really want to proceed down the story path now. Any advice?

Stay with the NCR. Great armor and stuff late game.

NV is not black and white in its choices, which is to say that you're not always going to get a choice that conforms to your character's ideals. You're often caught in dilemmas with problems arising in each of the choices you make. You just have to use your own morals and what you think is the best solution despite its issues. I think that is way more interesting than the 'good option/bad option' dichotomy you see in most RPGs nowadays

I'm curious, how much of the base game did you do before starting on the DLC content?

All of the main story gameplay will involve taking out potential adversity. The NCR asks you to get rid of Mr. House and The Brotherhood of Steel, Mr House wants you to save the President and get rid of Caeser plus the Brotherhood of Steel, siding with Yes Man goes about however you want it to go. Save the Brotherhood? What about the Boomers? What to do of the houses of New Vegas? How about the President at Hoover Damn?

You do what you feel like and nothing less, but if you want to see end game then it doesn't matter who you side with. Just make three saves and check out all three. Ceasar is damn hard to stay on the good side with for most of the game anyway.

I was at level 22 or so before starting Dead Money, and in terms of main quest, I was just about to go to the Fort.

I'm surprised to see someone as old school as you complain about choices, consequences and unclear repercussions.

Anyway, once you meet the factions their end-game missions are given to you, so just look through your journal to see how to side with who. I did NCR my first playthrough and Independent my second... things can be different to some extent, but really it's only story stuff that changes.

As for the Legion attacking you, obviously you had a low rep with them. If you kill people their faction tends to dislike you.

I think the problem was I never really got a handle on my character and his place in the world. I haven't had as easy a time roleplaying this time around as in Fallout 3, or even Borderlands. My intention was to play NV as differently as I could from FO3, and I think that was the trap I got myself in. I made a weak character with high speech and barter, and intended to be a kindof charismatic gunfighter/mobster. The problem was, my moral code was apathetic by default, unless personal gain was available. Funnily enough, this made my character good!

So once I got deep into the storyline, I had lost contact with who my character was. I actually considered restarting at one point, and to be honest, it's not out of the question now.

Ah ok, I guess at Lvl 22 you've already done a fair amount.

See, I barely made any headway into the main quest at all. I got so busy in the side quests and exploring the Eastern/Western outskirts of the wasteland. I'm sorry you don't like it so much, as I think it's a wonderful game.

Some of my favorite spots include Vault 22 (because of what happened), Vault 11 (I find the social experiment behind it creepy), HELIOS one, Black Mountain, Repconn HQ and the sunken bomber plane. I just find the world more interesting and diverse than FO3.

One thing that had me surprised playing the game was about how little it focused on the nuclear wasteland aspect. It's a world as harsh and unforgiving as it always has been, the past be damned. It doesn't matter what happened in the world, only what happens when you intervene in it. I suppose you can argue that as the same point as the previous games, but this one made the story about you, because you were the only one that would force history kicking and screaming where you wanted it.

I had this problem once too, and then I realized that I accidentally had an NCR uniform equipped.

Considering you were surprised that Ceasars legion attacked you, maybe you should put a few more points in awareness. (You get a popup for every karma change) The choices are pretty clear in that game. And behaving like a jerk and working only for your own good does not lead to good choices. Unless you think any of the facions are the good guys.

Lol. If that's how choices in NV look like, than I'm gonna stop playing.

btw. it's how many players see choices in every game. They don't give a fuck about a story, character integrity, etc. , they care only about the gear they'll get after completing the quest.
How moronic...

MAY CONTAIN TRACES OF SPOILERS

Your reputation with Caesar shouldn't have mattered if you hadn't done anything negative towards them after you get Caesar's mark, which you should have gotten after entering the Tops and dealing with Benny the first time (kill or flee). Take off any faction armor, and leave Boone at home.

If you are playing as someone with an apathetic moral code, with a strong sense of self interest and profit... you're better off working towards an independent New Vegas with you at the top of the food chain. Beat Benny as his own game; work with Yes Man. Of if you prefer the role of Lieutenant, with someone else the brains, work with House.

I really did like and respect some of the NCR faction, but it always felt like the NCR was at best, the lesser of two evils. The Yes Man quests are morally open, you can be an ass and wipe out all competition to your reign, or you can deal with the factions of New Vegas (other than NCR and CL) with a gentle hand, defeat the remnants of CL at Hoover Dam and then Insist (via high speech) the NCR withdraw.

Let me just include one last spoiler - The Faction you choose to support from a roleplaying perspective WILL have a significant effect on your appreciation or dissatisfaction with the Lonesome Road DLC. Some effort was made to account for all choices but its just that little bit better if you're roleplaying someone who sides with NCR or CL.