Ooookay, I've played through this mod and the feeling that comes to mind after navigating it is... disappointment.
It uses the name Area 51 to exploit the hype around its fame, but it has no aliens in it aside from one specimen in the deepest part of it, and it has no relation to the Zetans as one would expect after playing Fallout 3's Mothership Zeta. The "questline" is uninspired as it's basically just a "go there and explore" thing, but there's very little to actually explore, and once you get the weapons from the lowest level it just ends. No catharsis, no revelations, nothing. Just some loot and another 15 minutes wasted walking back because there's no shortcut to spare people the time they'll now need to haul ass back to the Mojave. Mildly irritating to say the least. Layout of the base is small and uninteresting, nothing like the research facility and airbase I expected resembling the Glow, its maze like structure only serving to extend the time spent on walking from one end of it to the other with little to hold interest, and the ghouls appearing in hordes breaks the already fading immersion one would have after entering the base with little things like the general's raving about Sunset Sarsapilla becoming downright cringy. Humor has its place but for an atmosphere not unlike Vault 22's or the Glow it's not the best way to utilize it. The backstory is also problematic because there's no sign of what's happened at the base at all until very late into the mod, and when it does get explained (kinda), it makes one wish there was no explanation at all, since it's a, for the lack of a better word, weak one. In short, there's no introduction to the place, its background or purpose, no indication to the people who were there and who they were, so it feels like the draft of something still early in development and little more beyond that.
Granted, I don't know what mod development in 2011 could have been like, but it still proves that names alone can't carry something to success. I'm sorry if I sound harsh, but I had to say this.
I absolutely agree with the comment. You pretty much summed up my expirience with the mod. I played it twice. First time many years ago, it looked and felt somewhat interesting. But now it just feels empty.
Nice one. Amazing this still holds up after 12 years. The only problem is the railway entrance is right on top of a door necessary for the Headhunting mod.
Fun mod and it still works like a charm 12 years later. Its relatively short, about 2 hours i think, but its well spent, it was cool to uncover the secrets of area 51 in the fallout universe
Heads up to anyone using Headhunting with this, there's a second-tier contract for Bubba Bodean that sends you to an area that conflicts with the military metro. You'll have to no-clip through the normally impassable gateway.
Really nice little mod that still holds up despite it being made over a decade ago. It's been a permanent addition to my load order since I first downloaded it. The level design is well done and I like the usage of REPCONN robots littered around the airfield and airbase. I experienced no issues with scripting or item placement, and the reward weapons, armor, and explosives are always fun to use. Thanks again for your time and work in creating this!
Spoiler:
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Also, each time I go into the observation room I get chills seeing the alien staring back at me. I can absolutely understand what the terminal entry says about it looking at you. Some people might not like that the only alien in Area 51 is a dead one halfway towards being dissected, but I thought it added to the atmosphere, especially after seeing the UFO in the hangar and reading the miscellaneous notes and terminal entries.
This was dandy! Just long and interesting enough to be worth it. Lots of loot. Somehow wondering if this could be updated with more fleshed out remnants, though I suppose that would require voice acting.
One problem I found: if you try to re-enter the research station after taking the shortcut from L4 exit, you get dropped into an empty room and need to tcl your way out. Otherwise, this one's a keeper.
472 comments
It uses the name Area 51 to exploit the hype around its fame, but it has no aliens in it aside from one specimen in the deepest part of it, and it has no relation to the Zetans as one would expect after playing Fallout 3's Mothership Zeta. The "questline" is uninspired as it's basically just a "go there and explore" thing, but there's very little to actually explore, and once you get the weapons from the lowest level it just ends. No catharsis, no revelations, nothing. Just some loot and another 15 minutes wasted walking back because there's no shortcut to spare people the time they'll now need to haul ass back to the Mojave. Mildly irritating to say the least.
Layout of the base is small and uninteresting, nothing like the research facility and airbase I expected resembling the Glow, its maze like structure only serving to extend the time spent on walking from one end of it to the other with little to hold interest, and the ghouls appearing in hordes breaks the already fading immersion one would have after entering the base with little things like the general's raving about Sunset Sarsapilla becoming downright cringy. Humor has its place but for an atmosphere not unlike Vault 22's or the Glow it's not the best way to utilize it. The backstory is also problematic because there's no sign of what's happened at the base at all until very late into the mod, and when it does get explained (kinda), it makes one wish there was no explanation at all, since it's a, for the lack of a better word, weak one. In short, there's no introduction to the place, its background or purpose, no indication to the people who were there and who they were, so it feels like the draft of something still early in development and little more beyond that.
Granted, I don't know what mod development in 2011 could have been like, but it still proves that names alone can't carry something to success. I'm sorry if I sound harsh, but I had to say this.
One problem I found: if you try to re-enter the research station after taking the shortcut from L4 exit, you get dropped into an empty room and need to tcl your way out. Otherwise, this one's a keeper.