Fallout 3: The Pitt DLC Review

The second DLC add-on for Fallout 3, The Pitt, leads you to Pittsburgh, where a brutal raider regime holds dominion over an embittered slave population. After responding to a new radio transmission, you meet a man in dire need of your services. Should you agree to help the fellow, he'll inform you that you must relinquish your weapons, equipment and companions, as you'll have to pass for a slave to gain access to the compound. Once inside, you're met with hostility and indifference as you explore the visually impressive steel-mill and the surrounding area.

As you continue to explore the The Pitt's map,you'll soon hear murmurings of a terrible virus present in the environment that results in a plethora of afflictions, the worst of which transforms the sufferer into a Trog - a grotesque mutant similar to the cave-dwelling creatures from The Descent. So, raiders, slaves, mutants: now that's more like it!

Refreshingly, given your pre-existing experience, you're required to work your way up from nothing to a respected fighter - first going on dangerous steel collecting runs out in the Trog infested Steelyard, then taking part in gladiatorial combat to gain respect and an audience with their master. The Pitt's aforementioned steel collecting runs are really enthralling - especially as you've been deprived of your armour and weaponry. The Trogs are dangerous adversaries: lightning quick and frighteningly strong (and hideous) at close range. The gladiatorial fights are a welcome idea but the fact that you can use guns is a letdown; it should've been a strictly melee affair, which would present more of a challenge and even invoke Mad Max: Beyond Thunderdome. This is especially true given that The Pitt introduces some excellent auto-axes (or 'Man-openers') that are capable of felling a foe almost instantly. As for the final showdown, it's both difficult and memorable, plus you're also asked to make a tough moral choice to boot.

Unlike Operation: Anchorage, The Pitt features some prime Fallout gameplay that really harks back to the original games in both tone and action. The conclusion is satisfying, the new enemies and weapons are more than welcome, and you can still travel back to the location once you've completed all the quests. The Pitt is vastly superior to Operation: Anchorage and bodes well for the future DLC.