"If you want a happy ending, that depends, of course, on where you stop your story."
- Orson Welles

Well, here it is, possibly even before I anticipated it. The end, the culmination... my finalé I started out some months previous on a challenge to complete the game Fallout New Vegas, fighting through combats with only my fists.

I've punched more things than I know of and much like my previous challenge (fallout 3) I've found that once you acquire the right character perks everything becomes just repetition of a series of common events.

The storyline was of little interest to me, I've been through this game a number of times and, I've bypassed a LOT of content, I've not stepped foot in the Sierra Madré nor ventured to Zion. There are probably numerous quests and side quests and unlisted quests that I overlooked while I rushed fist-first into this game, but it was never my intention to be completionist.

The only thing I needed to complete was the challenge I'd set out... and that I've done. I perhaps took too much meta-game capability to 'force' my characters progression, but the job is done.

It was only marginally harder than Fallout 3, and I did at one stage have to reduce the difficulty but for the most part this game was done on Hard difficulty, eventually even jumping into Very Hard difficulty once the game posed no challenge.

I hope you can all enjoy this final video I've put together as I look to fill my spare time with other trivial matters!


Thanks for watching / reading / following my mish-mash adventure, hope you've enjoyed it!

So, I can now proudly state - I've completed Fallout New Vegas... I've done so without ever lifting anything other than my own fleshy fists.

I've beaten feral dogs & Giant Scorpions, I've punched Ghouls & Super Mutants, I've beaten pretty much everything that stood in my way... and I mean 'beaten' as in "to a pulp"

Man, Beast, Robot. All have fallen before me. Sure I've not done what could be considered an 'iron-man' play-through, but honestly that would take more effort and concentration than even I am willing to put into this.

While I prepare the video of my battle along Hoover Dam, please enjoy this comical moment from my time in the Big MT.

Some light entertainment while you wait.

Video treat time!

I've included a written synopsis below, but for once I'd taken video of pretty much my entire play session (well, excluding a little walking about...) so sit back and enjoy. If the video it too long / dull, just zip down the page to read up on what happened.

 For those of a less video-oriented disposition... 

After zipping about a little I decided to crack on with another NCR focused main quest, namely 'deal with the Brotherhood of Steel'. Tempting fate I thought I'd make a meal of things, firstly taking time to deftly nip about the Brotherhood bunker at Hidden Valley and steal the key-cards from key personnel so I could activate the bunker self destruct.

This wasn't challenging enough however, so, I reload the game to a point just before I enter the bunker. This time I throw all caution and care out of the proverbial window as I wade in fists flying. Other than learning that power armour is hard to punch and that Mk VI turrets are pretty much invincible (about 15 mins in video) in due course I've put down the entire Brotherhood chapter single handed (and with liberal use of healing medication).

This left a bad taste in my mouth however, and even looking at all the loot I could possibly now take, dozens of suits of power armour... more weapons and ammo than I could carry even if making several trips, but no, I had to be the better person.

So I opted to re-re-load the game one final time and took the diplomatic approach. With the Brotherhood now on good terms with the NCR I finish up by furthering my capabilities - I want me some of that shiny metal power armour, and that means being trained... And that means proving myself to the Brotherhood and joining their ranks.

So it's off to beat up some Super Mutants, the preferred pass-time of BoS members. With little effort I stomp on up the mountain side and kick mucho-butt-o (I have this on video too, but editing / uploading takes time, I'll post the video in a new separate post when I get chance).

I end the session helping defend the president from a would be assassin during his visit to Hoover dam. After finishing all my assigned tasks I save the game at the point where I'm about to enter the very last stage of the game, the battle for the dam. I cannot foresee that It's going to be very difficult, nonetheless I'll be prepping myself with med supplies and fully repaired armour! Session 22 ... watch this space!