FALLOUT 3: BROKEN STEEL (X360-XBOX LIVE)

FALLOUT 3: BROKEN STEEL (X360-XBOX LIVE)
Bethesda Softworks
PEGI Rating: 18+
Out Now

IF ‘The Pitt’ and ‘Operation: Anchorage’ weren’t enough to whet your appetite – then ‘Broken Steel’ will certainly do the trick for ‘Fallout 3’ enthusiasts.
It not only goes some way to rectifying the issues with the fanboy-groaning sudden climax of the original game’s ending sequence, but also raises the XP level cap from 20 to 30, with new perks such as ‘Puppies’ thrown in which enables Dogmeat to re-spawn every time your dog companion dies.
Thankfully the add-on itself proves just as essential, with three meaty main quests and side missions making this a must-have as you attempt to take out the remaining pockets of Enclave resistance adding around eight to nine hours of playtime.
Project Purity was a success, but you still have the problem of distributing the cleaner water source throughout the Capital wastes, in this downloadable content recently made available through Xbox Live or on disc packaged with further new content ‘Point Lookout’ available next month.
It also adds tougher enemies, including stronger additions to the mutant and feral ghoul families – the Overlord and Reaver – along with more advanced weaponry used by your Enclave adversaries and even a chance to control a deathclaw.
To top it all off, when all the missions are completed you can continue exploring the Capital Wastelands to your heart’s desire, or download one of three other DLC – including the brand new ‘Point Lookout’ – as my ‘Game of the Year’ 2008 keeps on giving.
Ultimately ‘Broken Steel’ in particular will help revive interest in casual fans who may have tucked the game away several months ago – and this DLC comes strongly recommended for people wanting to experience how the story should have finished first time around.

ESP RATING: 5/5

Paul Ryan

Additional content added by Gavin Miller