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Fallout: New Vegas

RPG

PS3Xbox 360PC

Before starting Fallout: New Vegas, it helps to know which choices can create extra work and which systems remain flexible. This guide focuses on practical preparation without story spoilers. Fallout: New Vegas is listed for PS3, Xbox 360 and PC, with an estimated 70–100h platinum route completion range. It contains missable content, and there is a point of no return to plan around. Manual saves give you extra control; there is no standard New Game Plus safety net.

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PS3Xbox 360PC
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QUICK ANSWERS

Before you start

2 published sources
MissablesYes
Point of no returnYes
New Game+No
Free roam after storyNo
Chapter / mission selectNo
Manual savesYes
Difficulty changeableYes
Difficulty affects trophiesYes
Estimated completion70–100h platinum route

PLAYTHROUGH PLAN

Before You Start checklist

5 practical checks
  • Set up your save plan

    Fallout: New Vegas supports manual saves, so keep a rotating backup before major missions or irreversible choices.

  • Protect the completion route

    Missable content exists in Fallout: New Vegas. Recheck quests, collectibles or companion tasks before advancing major story milestones.

  • Know the last safe checkpoint

    Fallout: New Vegas has a point of no return. Keep a separate save and clear priority side content when the game signals a final commitment.

  • Choose difficulty deliberately

    Fallout: New Vegas has difficulty-linked achievements or trophies, so choose your target before starting and avoid changes that invalidate it.

  • Budget 70–100h platinum route

    Use Fallout: New Vegas's 70–100h platinum route estimate as a planning range, not a promise. Exploration, difficulty and optional goals can move the total substantially.

Spoiler-free warning

The game ends after the final battle and faction questlines eventually lock one another out. Keep a hard save before confronting Benny and additional faction saves before accepting endgame commitments; Hardcore Mode must remain enabled from the opening prompt through the ending for its trophy.

BEGINNER GUIDE

10 things I wish I knew before starting

Spoiler-light · Source-checked

The useful systems, early mistakes and easily missed details worth understanding before you commit dozens of hours.

  1. SPECIAL choices shape the entire build

    Starting attributes influence skills, perks and dialogue opportunities, and increases are limited. Decide whether the Courier relies on guns, energy weapons, stealth or conversation before distributing them.

  2. Speech is more important than raw Charisma

    Many dialogue checks use the Speech skill directly, while Charisma mainly affects related starting values and companions. Invest where the checks actually occur if diplomacy is the goal.

  3. Different ammunition types solve armour problems

    Hollow-point, armour-piercing and standard rounds perform differently against defence. Carry a practical selection and change ammunition instead of declaring a favourite weapon suddenly useless.

  4. Reputation is separate for every faction

    Uniform disguises, quest choices and witnessed attacks change how groups respond. Check the current reputation and remove a disguise before walking into a faction that considers it hostile.

  5. Companions add skills and personal quests

    Every recruit brings a combat role, perk and relationship arc. Talk to companions after relevant locations and events because their quests often require hidden conversation triggers.

  6. Repair controls more than weapon condition

    Higher Repair supports crafting, dialogue and valuable perks such as Jury Rigging. Save duplicate equipment when it can maintain a rare weapon more cheaply than a vendor.

  7. Hardcore Mode changes survival systems

    Ammunition gains weight, companions can die and food, water and sleep matter. Keep it enabled from the opening prompt through the ending if you want its completion trophy.

  8. High Luck changes the casino economy

    Luck improves gambling outcomes and can produce substantial early caps before casinos ban further wins. It is useful, but should support rather than replace the combat build.

  9. Save before faction commitment warnings

    NCR, Legion, House and independent routes eventually exclude one another. Maintain a neutral milestone save before accepting quests that the game identifies as faction failures.

  10. The ending has no free-roam continuation

    The final battle leads to the ending slideshow rather than a postgame Mojave. Finish DLC, companions and exploration first, and preserve a pre-battle save for alternate faction endings.

Verification and sources

Status
Verified
Last verified
2026-09-01
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COMMON QUESTIONS

Fallout: New Vegas FAQs

5 source-checked answers
Does Fallout: New Vegas have missable content?

Yes. Fallout: New Vegas contains missable content, so complete priority side activities and keep useful backups before advancing major story milestones.

Is there a point of no return in Fallout: New Vegas?

Yes. Fallout: New Vegas has a point of no return. Finish priority side content and keep a separate save when the game warns that you are entering a final sequence.

Does Fallout: New Vegas have New Game Plus?

No standard New Game Plus mode is listed for Fallout: New Vegas. Plan first-run missables and cleanup without assuming a powered-up replay will be available.

Can you free roam after finishing Fallout: New Vegas?

No standard post-story free roam is listed for Fallout: New Vegas. Use an earlier save, chapter route or replay plan for unfinished activities.

How long does Fallout: New Vegas take to complete?

Fallout: New Vegas is estimated at 70–100h platinum route. Your total will depend on difficulty, exploration, optional content and whether you are targeting full completion rather than only the main story.