Description:
One of 1998's most eagerly anticipated games and sequel to 1997's role-playing game (RPG) of the year, Fallout 2 is a postapocalyptic adventure set in the radiation-ravaged northern wastes of California. As the Chosen One of your village, you must find and retrieve the holy GECK (Garden of Eden Construction Kit) so that you can save your people from suffering. This Sybex guide, written by one of the game's lead designers, is an exhaustive resource that will help prospective Chosen Ones as they journey through the wastelands. The book begins with a section on survival strategies, covering such topics as player character creation, basic combat skills and tactics, and the fluctuating values of town reputation and karma. Other sections of the book include a complete listing of the game's many monsters and nonplayer characters. Weapons and armor are described in detail, as are the many other useful objects you may encounter on your journey. As with any good RPG strategy guide, this one includes complete walk-throughs for each stage of the game. One of the book's most appealing qualities, however, is that you can glean a ton of useful information without ever resorting to these--and without spoiling key elements of the game's plot. Simply put, this is an excellent, well-written guide that should appeal to all Fallout fans, even those who prefer to make their way through the game without a lot of outside help. Besides, it's worth reading just to pick up on the game's numerous comedic references (Young Frankenstein, South Park, and Monty Python are among the most notable influences). --Michael Ryan
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