Fallout: New Vegas - Strategy Guide Blog

You may recall the Bethblog ran a series of blogs from David Hodgson, the author of the official strategy guide for Fallout 3.  He's back, with the first of a series on Fallout: New Vegas.  It's a bit of an off idea but it sort of serves as a preview of the actual game in a way. Here's a snip:

How’s your social game? Interacting with Factions, whether it’s helping them out, or massacring their forces, affects your adventure in many different ways, especially if you’re dressed in specific attire.

The rest of the Training deals with creating a character that isn’t going to collapse after a Fiend sneezes on you. How all of the Attributes, Skills, and Perks interact with the clothing you wear and the Followers you find are all extremely important (and overwhelming), so a special Character Archetypes section was created. No matter what your play-style – from the social outcast Sniper to a mountain man bred specially for Hardcore Mode – there’s a character for everyone. We even included the best weapons, outfits, Perks, Skills, Implants, and Followers to compliment each Archetype. One Bethesda employee was said to remark “that’s pretty freakin’ sweet.” Speaking of Hardcore Mode; the training continues with advice on thriving in this most inhospitable of climates. Then there’s updated information on Karma, mapping, and other activities before we delve right in to Reputation, and explain exactly how everyone reacts to everyone else, and how you fit in. What is initially confusing political and societal idiosyncrasies is broken down into something understandable; and more importantly, something you can act on during your entire adventure.