One of the best games of last year, Fallout 3 offered up some of the best post-apocalyptic action-RPG action gamers have ever seen. The game presented some deep missions and a huge world, making it a game that no self-respecting gamer would want to miss out on. Even better for gamers, developer Bethesda has really stepped up to the plate, offering several downloadable content packs that really help expand the universe.

The most recent expansion, Point Lookout, carries this home even further with the best DLC yet for the game. The new swamp-based setting is an excellent change of pace, presenting a different side of the wasteland that didn’t see the destruction of the bombs, but rather wholly unique horrors in and of itself. While the overall experience is marred by some bugs, this is still a very worthy download for Fallout 3 fans.

The new expansion is set in Point Lookout, Maryland, the site of a famous Civil War Union POW prison camp. As an area that was spared by the bombs that led to the majority of the world becoming a barren wasteland, Point Lookout is has a much different look than other areas in the Fallout universe. Whereas the Capital Wasteland was arid and devoid of a lot of plant life, Point Lookout is chock full of plant life, including swamp areas and forests. The new area provides a nice change of pace while still maintaining the same isolated and creepy feel of the main game.

The expansion will give you several missions, which mostly hedge around exploration. This is a good thing, as players will undoubtedly want to spend hours exploring the new terrain and lush environments, which starts you out in an abandoned dockside amusement park, takes you through swamp areas with terrifying mutated hillbilly creatures, and even to a dilapidated mansion in the middle of nowhere.

However, even though the focus has shifted towards exploring, there are still some hardcore firefights to be had. There are some new low-tech weapons to be found in the mix are shovels, axes, and double-barreled shotguns. The battles are action-packed and implemented very well within the base game’s combat system.

Point Lookout is definitely geared more towards players who have already sunk some substantial time into the game and are at higher levels. The new enemies are very difficult and pretty tough to take down, even with high-end weaponry. This journey isn’t for the faint of heart, so you’ll definitely want to be well prepared for the experience.

Additionally, once you finish your time at Point Lookout, you won’t gain much in the way of spoils for your trouble. There aren’t really any great new items or weapons to be earned for completing the expansion’s half a dozen or so missions as it was with other expansions like Operation Anchorage, just the experience gained from going through it.

On the downside, there are some pretty nasty technical issues to be found in the DLC. While I didn’t run into any of the full-on game lock-ups that have been reported elsewhere, I did run into some pop-up issues and tearing quite often, as well as some generally buggy performance.

Still, Fallout 3: Point Lookout is a very worthy download for fans of the game, warts and all. The new environment is a fantastic addition to the game that provides another side of the wasteland, and the missions are each very impressive and should be fun for fans to take on from start to finish.

Gameplay: 8.5
This expansion puts a bigger emphasis on exploration, but the missions here are balanced with some truly harrowing firefights. The new environment is a blast too, with many can’t-miss areas to check out.

Graphics: 7.5
Even though the new environments are a nice variation from the Fallout norm, there are still some major technical issues that rear their heads, making this an expansion that could’ve looked so much better with a little more polish.

Sound: 8.0
The sound hasn’t been changed much from the original game, but there are some pretty creepy noises permeating from the boonies.

Difficulty: Hard
Point Lookout isn’t for newcomers, so you’ll want to make sure that your character is amply leveled before taking the plunge.

Concept: 9.0
Point Lookout is the most fleshed out of the Fallout 3 expansions, offering a fully realized and impressive area to explore with some great missions thrown into the mix.

Overall: 8.5
Even though the game has some technical issues, Point Lookout still provides some great new environments to explore. You will want to be pretty experienced before taking the plunge, however, as this journey isn’t for newcomers.