Fallout. "What is that?" you might ask. While it may be a household name in the PC gaming world, everyone else should be, understandably, oblivious to the series. The previous two games have been critically-acclaimed but not too popular -- at least not in the console world. Bethesda, makers of the more popular Elder Scrolls games (Oblivion being the latest), hopes to take the reins from Interplay and bring the series to the masses with Fallout 3 on October 28 (PC, Xbox 360, PS3).

Who Put An FPS Into My RPG?

Fans cried out in agony when they learned that their favorite series was being upgraded from its 1997 isometric view into a first-person perspective. Many have considered it an "Oblivion with guns," but it's looking like it might be more than that.

Fallout 3 takes the guise of a typical FPS, but it will employ a certain strategy via the VATS targeting system. It gives the gamer the option to stop the action and pick out specific body parts in enemies for maximum damage. "Action Points" will deplete and dictate what shots you can make, how accurate, how much damage, etc.

Oblivion, It's Not

Bethesda is famous for its several games on swords-and-sorcery but they'll be taking a different approach with Fallout 3. Instead of witches and blacksmiths littering the world, you'll be put right into a bleak, post-apocalyptic world as you make your way outside of Vault 101 and explore your surroundings.

Megaton is the first big city you'll come across and from there you'll take on missions, sidequests, all while upgrading your characters stats. A "Karma" system lets you know if your character is going down the path of a "good" or "evil" guy -- similar to Bioware's Knights of the Old Republic games. Guiding you along your mission will be the voice talents of Liam Neeson, Ron Perlman, and Malcolm MacDowell, among others.

Exclusives In Line for Microsoft's 360

With the rise of development costs, console-specific exclusives have, for the most part, become extinct. The only "exclusives" this holiday season will be in-game extensions only available on one system.

Bethesda has shown likeness to the Xbox 360 so far and will support Fallout 3 similarly to how they did The Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion. Useless fare like the "Horse Armour" downloadable content, notwithstanding, Bethesda supported Oblivion with rich, new gameplay expansions a year down the line from its initial release and it should be no different with this game.

Also, there will only be Achievement points on the 360 version with no similar support for Sony's Trophy system on PS3 -- at least on day one.

Before You Buy...

Fallout 3's release date is fast approaching, but in the meantime, there's a few things you can do NOW to get ready for its eventual drop date. You can play the first game for free at Gametap, pre-order the Collector's Edition, and read through the "Vault Dweller's Survival Guide" provided free at Joystiq.

Fallout 3 will be out on October 28 for PC, Xbox 360, and PS3.