"Fallout 3" provided an example of how to do great downloadable content. Each DLC pack managed to expand the universe while staying true to the franchise's roots. True, it was a bit slow going, with the first pack, "Operation Anchorage" failing to meet the high expectations set by the main game, but in the following packs, things just got better and better. "Fallout: New Vegas" may be following that trend, as its first pack, "Dead Money," shows promise but still comes up short.
The Basics
"Dead Money" is set outside of the familiar Mojave Wasteland, in and around a mysterious casino known as the Sierra Madre. As the story goes, the Madre has been sealed since the bombs fell and no one has stepped through its doors in hundreds of years. After hearing a radio signal beckoning visitors to the long-forgotten casino, you're more than eager to try to crack it open.
Unfortunately, things don't go all that smoothly. After being knocked unconscious, you wake up with none of your inventory and an explosive collar around your neck. From there, you're forced to do the bidding of a crazed treasure hunter known as Father Elijah, who tasks you with forming a team to crack the casino's vault.
THE HIGHS
Brilliant Writing, Awesome Story
"Fallout: New Vegas" was incredibly well-written, and that same high standard comes through loud and clear in "Dead Money." As you slowly discover the secret of the casino, and are introduced to your ragtag band of treasure hunters, you realize just how much effort went into crafting this tale. From the super mutant with multiple personality disorder to the mute scribe with a secret to the slickster lounge singer-turned-ghoul, you can't help but want to spend more time with these characters.
Playing Your Character
Usually when you're stripped of all your hard-earned gear in a game, it's a frustrating moment, but in "Dead Money," I really didn't mind. Because you haven't got your super energy sniper rifle, you're forced to use tactics and strategy in encounters that you wouldn't ordinarily have to bother with. It forces you to "play your character," whether that means a stealthy sniper or a close-combat bruiser. The DLC has a handful of new gear to pick up, so you won't be empty-handed for long, and all your old gear comes back once you finish "Dead Money," but it was kind of refreshing to start from scratch.
THE LOWS
A Dead City
The idea of the Sierra Madre is that it's basically a dead city and has been that way for hundreds of years. To that end, there are literally four people to talk to in the whole episode, and one of those is mostly just barking orders. It's in start contrast to most of "New Vegas," which is teaming with life and interesting character interactions and made the whole experience feel sort of hollow.
Been There, Fought That
Half of "Dead Money" takes place in the small town surrounding the Sierra Madre casino. The town, as I mentioned, is dead, but there are humanoids wearing gas masks who act as your main cannon fodder throughout the DLC. Because you're really just walking through a dead city, fighting the same faceless goons, for a good couple of hours, the gameplay really starts to feel stale. Poison gas clouds and collar-exploding-radios attempt to spice things up, but to no avail. The whole section in the Villa felt like a large fetch quest, with the only highlights being the minimal interactions you have with your team.
Evil Ghost Holograms?
Once you make it into the casino, your main adversary becomes weird security holograms that can fire deadly rays of light at you. And you can't kill them (unless you find their hidden emitter and shut it down). Basically it's an attempt to force you into stealth sequences, which is a shame because Fallout has always been about player choice, and "Dead Money" seems to offer less of it than previous Fallout DLC packs.
THE VERDICT
Looking strictly at the gameplay, "Dead Money" is probably the weakest Fallout DLC pack I've seen thus far. It's repetitive and uninteresting and the world you're exploring is literally lifeless. On the flip side, the story and writing are absolutely top notch and practically make the whole thing worth while. So should you plunk down money for it right now? Only if you're completely exhausted the content in the main game and are desperate for something new. "Dead Money" increases the level cap to 35, so you'll get more skill points and perks, too. If you're still working your way to 30, though, you'd be better off waiting for the inevitable price drop of this DLC pack in a few months.