Fallout New Vegas: Dead Money DLC (sorry for the big post, just needed to get my thoughts out)
Not necessarily a game, but at the moment I'm replaying all of the DLC for this game and trying to reach the prestiged "level 50". I've played this before but after a couple of years I felt the need to refresh my memory.
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Anyway, this is probably my favourite New Vegas expansion pack purely for its uniqueness. The new setting, on the surface, is rather small, but this turns out to be one of the most dense and expansive DLCs that are available. The setting itself is very maze-like, the Villa (the opening section) acts as a central hub but it's riddled with enemies, traps, "the cloud", narrow streets and abandoned structures. This compact environment is where the exploration comes into play. You won't be travelling vast deserts and canyons here, but searching every nook and cranny to find even the most basic of supplies. Then you have the west and east sections, these locations are rather similar but are filled with more enemies, more traps and a confusing layout - navigating seems easy but trust me, it's not. Later on you have the famed casino itself, this gives the DLC a good mix up in setting as the casino itself is still in good condition despite the great war.
The thing about the setting is just how mysterious, treacherous--and sometimes--quite spooky it is. The outer sections of the casino felt the effects of the great war but actually still show signs of life - this creates that eery feeling of how grand is should look when, in reality, it's quite the opposite. The place itself is also very dark, the thick cloud blocks any sunlight so you get this spooky backdrop that provides a very dim light when outside. This area is among one of the most spooky in the entire series, in my experience anyway.
Then you have what the series is famous for, exploration. Like I mentioned previously, the entire setting is quite small; however, it's about detail. The outer sections are very maze like and narrow making even simple navigation hard and indeed puzzling. The attention to detail is what makes exploring so great, I found myself finding new items and whatnot even in places I had thought to have cleaned out before, it's not about the size here but detail.
The exploration would be nothing without a true need for it though right? Well at the start of the DLC you are stripped of all your supplies and given basic clothes and a unique weapon which is low on ammo. So straight away you're in the frame of mind of survival and scavenging. Since the place is riddled with enemies and traps, you need supplies, lots of supplies. It puts you right back, as if you just started a new game and each item you find becomes valuable. As stimpaks (health kits) are a rarity, you'll find yourself on low supply so, instead, you must find alternative ways of healing yourself - eating food, drinking radiated water and maybe finding an abandoned bed to sleep on. Same goes for ammo supplies as these are also very rare and it will make you conserve them as best as you can as the enemies can be very tough.
Onto the challenge anyway; yeah this DLC is tough. Even for me, I'm quite an experienced player of the franchise and my player was at a high level, but that still only gives you a slight advantage. Since you are stripped of everything you own, you go back to basics in a really tough environment. The main enemies are the Ghost People - weird and mysterious figures who are, technically, immortal. You can actually kill them but it takes a lot of power and with limited ammo, and with a lack of fire power, it can be very tough. Though even after you have killed one, eventually they get back up, instead, you must sever one of their limbs while knocked unconscious. Later on you'll experience holograms which cannot be harmed, you'll have to sneak past them or alter their routes/behaviour via terminals.
It's not just the enemies and survival aspects but two other things that me this experience hard and sometimes, quite annoying. First you have "The Cloud"; a thick reddish fog which distorts your vision and, if enough exposure, death. This fog is placed in certain areas, so you'll have to, either, avoid or find a way through without dying. Then you have the danger of your collar (a bomb device strapped around your neck on arrival) going off. This will only happen when it interferes with external sources, like radios, speakers and transmitters. Though they are hard to spot and rather obscure, when near one you start to hear beeping which will increase in frequency and before you know it your head explodes. It's quite unique at first, but it becomes very annoying and it starts to make navigation a tedious task. It's a case of trial and error, you have to scout an area, with limited time and try and spot the source, then go back and destroy it which allows you to roam without danger. This interference isn't everywhere, you can freely explore, but this does happen a lot which disencourages the fun that comes with exploration. It's a challenge, a tough one but one that becomes annoying.
The general story itself leaves a lot to the imagination, many things mentioned are half explained or briefly expanded upon. However, it's these obscurities that make this place and it's legend mysterious - it encourages you to look at notes, diary entries, journals, computer logs etc. If you want to understand the mystery and legend of the location then you will need to look deeper and find hints etc. The actual events of the DLC are easy to follow - you are lured to this place but are knocked out and stripped of supplies with a bomb collar around your neck, you are guided by a former BoS elder who wants you to gain access to the casino for his own personal needs. You act as his puppet as you are trapped here. However, you need to cooperate with three unique figures (who become companions) to eventually gain access to the casino itself. Then it's up to you on how you go about taking the old world treasure for yourself, nevertheless, it there are a lot of plot twists on the way.
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Despite its criticism, this is one of the best expansion packs around. It offers a new unique setting with a sense of mystery and a legend that can be unraveled. It will also offer a great challenge to any player; however, it can become annoying and repetitive. Overall though, I give it a 88/100, definitely worth a purchase for any owner of the game itself.
