Fallout 3 DLC

Three packs of downloadable content are planned for Bethesda's masterpiece in the early months of 2009. The first, Operation: Anchorage, was released on January 27. It triggers a map marker and a new quest line in the Pip-boy that lead the player to a Brotherhood of Steel Outcasts base. Upon arrival, the player enters a virtual reality simulation pod to embark on a battle with the Red Chinese army for the liberation of Anchorage in Alaska.

It's split up into four missions, each with a new achievement. In all they only take a meagre two to three hours to complete. It's pretty linear fare, with straightforward level design and little scope to explore. There are some new weapons and equipment, including a powerful Gauss Rifle. The missions are enjoyable enough, without ever being exhilarating. The final battle, however, borders on embarrassingly poor. It's a fight with an ageing Chinese general armed only with a sword whose only real defence is having a huge amount of health points and therefore being able to take around two dozen shotgun blows to the face.

Unfortunately, the purchasing process is painful, with PC players being forced to use Microsoft's clunky Games for Windows LIVE service. Not only does the trickle of content cost 800 Microsoft points (with a set amount of 1000 costing £8.50, making it around £7), but I found that I had to shift hidden files and folders around to get it working. This travesty of an installation is, of course, simply not acceptable, and it made me realise why Microsoft were so quick to point out there is no chance of a refund for the add-on. It is this kind of service that is driving more and more people to piracy.

The other two content packs, The Pitt and Broken Steel, will be released in March and April respectively. More on those when they're out.