Point Lookout for Fallout 3 comes across as somewhat disappointing in comparison to the previous downloadable content Broken Steel. While the content consumes a fair amount of time somewhere around a dozen hours making it a good value for money. The rewards for those twelve hours are terribly slim. To be expected in comparison to Broken Steel which unlocked new leveling opportunities, along with a dozen new items to enhance the main game experience. However even tossing out that comparison this content still seems severely lacking. The opportunity for character growth just isn't there, and the new items are for the most part worthless. Especially if you have taken the time to find the epic weapons in the main game, or you already have new weapons from Broken Steel. Not that the main game is lacking for weapons to begin with.
Let me give you a synopsis of what this content offers. A handful of new quests, a dozen or so new items, a couple skill upgrades, a distinctly different environment, and a hundred new achievement points to be had for those willing to go all the way. Unfortunately the content does not even lend itself to helping you unlock main game achievements as in speach successes, computers to hack, or locks to pick. Even the karma opportunites are lacking, and almost tragically there are no skill books to be had. What makes all this so tragic is that it boils down to a couple things. This content boils down to a couple good quests, and the enironment is dynamically different from what you have come to expect.
The new items are simply put not worth a whole hell of a lot. The weapons are unimpressive, and more to the point fundamentally flawed. Why use a shotgun you need to reload after one shot when a combat shotgun gives you so much more bang for the buck. Why use the Xray emitter when it too is a constant reload. Was a axe and an epic axe something that players could really get behind. Cryptographic glasses might have been a boon if they translated to the main game. The clothing, and new consumables aren't even all that rewarding. So it isn't as if your going to go back to the capital wasteland with a new bag of tricks.
The upgrades on the face of it sound promising, but here again your getting what amounts to worthless. Getting better results from eating the local food, or doing more damage while standing still are flat out contrary to what players need or have any desire for. Useless skill upgrades do not enhance ones experience. They just serve to show you what could have been.
The high points of this content boil down to the environment, and a mere couple of quests. The side quests aren't even all that worthy of mention. Collection quests for the most part. Though a couple quests are a treat to behold. Unfortunately even for these quests you fail to get the sense of choice that filled the main game. They are basically linear, and when the possibility for choice is presented it really is an illusion. Though I will say the acid test was humorous. No the environment is the real highlight the foliage, the aquatic environments, but it really is a mixed blessing. Being that it is swamp you are on a steady diet of rad chems, and the lack of any soundtrack just makes the enviroment seem more desolate. Which it is you can count the number of characters you will interact with at less then ten. There is no community at Point Luck to speak of, a couple shop keepers, a few side quest givers, and a pack of labotomy rejects.
To make matters worse Bethesda has seemingly gone backwards on the difficulty scale. The new enemies beyond being pale stereotypes are sadly just overamped damage dealers with sadly little to no wit about them. They chase and hit hard. Bethesda needs to learn that this doesn't make enemies more challenging. Just more annoying for players who have to waste valuable healing items. While the ranged ghoul attacks were a somewhat pleasant surprise it was also just another nuisance.
Overall this was content that could have been great. Emphasis on could have. Had the items to be collected actually had merit. Had the new skills been worthwhile. Had there been a few more decent quests. Had the enemies provided new real challenges. Had there been some real crossover into the capital wasteland this could have been real solid. You get the feeling that this content could have really used a couple more months in the development cycle to really flesh out.
The play time makes this content a good value, but it isn't really enhancing the game or the experience in a meaningful way. The freshness wears thin fast, and your just left with the sense that so much is wanting. You want this to be great, but the goodness just isn't there. I can only put this up as a recommendation for those that seriously enjoy the game, and have the pressing need for something to play. This content just does a poor job of meshing with the main game.
7/10
The Good, A couple decent quests, a nice new original environment, some innovative situations, good value for play time.
The Bad, Where the hell is the good loot, You call these upgrades, A lot of space with nothing much to do, increased damage is not challenging.
