“Fallout 3” is not just a game you play; it’s a game you experience.

The “Fallout” series takes place in a post-nuclear-war U.S. Humanity has taken refuge in fall out shelters (like the ones we built in the 1950s, only with robots) to survive the nuclear holocaust.

The games in the series are typically about a former shelter residents’ survival outside the shelter – called a “vault” in the series.

The game uses the same engine Bethesda’s previous game “Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion.”

Many gamers were afraid that “Fallout 3” would end up being like a conversion mod of “Oblivion,” but that’s not the case. “Fallout 3” features similar controls, but the similarities are only spiritual beyond there.

Aside from expanding on the ethics concept, the game’s greatest strength is in its unique ability to immerse the gamer in the fictional world.

The game’s main story only takes about 20 hours to complete. However, the bulk of the game content is in optional side-quests and world exploration. The shorter main story is a nice change from the lengthy stories of the “Elder Scrolls” series.

The shorter length of the main story encourages replay value, and allows players with limited free time to have a “complete” experience.

The main story itself isn’t too interesting as far as RPGs go. However, the side-quests feature tidbits of an expanded story, and often leave a chilling memory.

In one building, the player finds tape recordings of people who died in a “Night of The Living Dead”-style attack.

The game’s combat system is a fantastic improvement on “Oblivion.” Instead of hacking away for several minutes against a single enemy, “Fallout 3″‘s combat system creates a fast-paced, thrilling experience. The game incorporates the series’ trademark “V.A.T.S.” combat system.

Combat feels like the child-prodigy of the FPS and RPG genres. Combat plays out like a typical FPS game, but can be paused to switch equipment and use items. Additionally, when the “V.A.T.S.” system is activated, it pauses combat and allows the player to specifically target different body parts of the opposition.

“V.A.T.S.” makes the combat a bit more manageable, but also allows the game designers to put the player in otherwise impossible intense combat situations.

The complete experience makes “Fallout 3” one of the greatest games released all year.