REVIEW PREVIEW: Fallout New Vegas - Dead Money (DLC) (Xbox 360)

Anyone who knows me personally will be WELL aware of my Fallout obsession. Seriously. Check out my personalised nametags at work, or the selection of Fallout-related tat in my house, or my rather large collection of bottlecaps which I'm saving  up for when the end finally comes. I am quite proud to say that the majority of my 360 gamerscore is made up of achievements from Fallout 3 and Fallout New Vegas. So obviously, we got the Dead Money DLC as soon as it came out.

Dead Money is the story of a long abandoned casino called the Sierra Madre, outside of the main map of the Mojave Wasteland. Simply getting to the entrance has been a drama so far - I'm approximately halfway through the main storyline and have just pissed off one of the major factions in the game, the Legion. The Dead Money pack raises the level cap to 35, but I don't have to worry about that just yet - level 20 seems like it might be enough to start the additional content.

Upon getting to the entrance, a dialog box pops up warning that you are about to leave the Mojave Wasteland and will not be able to return until the Dead Money story is finished. Fine by me, but I create a fresh savepoint anyway. (A good habit to get into - Who knows how many Deathclaws/Super Mutants/pissed off Legion boys are round the next corner) The dialog also recommends being at least level 20 before proceeding - Fine, says I.

The story begins with a shot of gas to the face, and waking up in front of a rather shifty looking hologram chap, who's fitted you with a collar  a la Battle Royale, which will explode if you're naughty. You're stripped of all your hard earned weapons and gear, told some VERY worrying things about dodgy electrics which might interfere with your collar, and the toxic atmosphere surrounding the Sierra Madre known as the Cloud.  This stern looking chap wants you to head into the old casino, find the treasure, avoid the traps and then everyone can go home and have a nice tea. Only problem is, the aforementioned death lurking at every corner.

First on the agenda - meet up with three other prisoners colleagues who have the same aims in mind, and convince them to join forces with you. At this point, I reloaded my previous save, and ran off to Black Mountain to play with the Muties. I'm not surprised by this one bit, as I found all the DLC for Fallout 3 to be ABSOLUTELY TERRIFYING as well - probably due to being removed from the comfort zone and relatively easy life of the Wastes. I'll be levelling up a little more before I give this another go. I need to grow a pair, you say? Nah, I'm just sensible, THAT's what it is...

*curls up into a ball and rocks gently*

Scoring: Well, it's Fallout, so it's hard to imagine I'd give it any less than 4/5. Watch this space!