Fallout 3 DLC: Operation Anchorage

So, as you likely know, I've been playing Fallout 3.
I had downloaded the DLC, but been studiously ignoring it.
At level 14, I felt I was probably ready for it.

It's still pretty easy.

I think I reloaded a couple of times to approach in different ways, but basically, once you've got 75+ small guns skill, it's a breeze (which for some people may be quite early on).

For a challenge, I'd recommend going in around level 5-6.

The graphics, though, are lovely.
It's a sad case of affairs, but I came to a realisation at around 2am last night, when I finally unplugged it.
I don't really look at video games.

Let me explain. It was 1.50, and I was thinking 'must crash soon, but just one more fight' (as you do). Then, for the first time since playing, Fallout 3 crashed. The framerate dropped for about 3 seconds, and then it just hung.

And that's when I looked around the screen at everything that was there.
And it was stunning.

Now, it might just be the Operation Anchorage graphics are "better" (and wow, they're beautiful), or it may be that the blues and whites are just nicer to look at than the browns and greys of the devasted DC area, but, well, whatever it was, it was a real stop-and-gape moment.

I mean, I'm generally scouring the near-middle distance for things to interact with, but (apart from Gears of War) I rarely stop and look around. I'm moving, see the screen in motion.

So, now, I'm going to try and spend some time looking at these things, and enjoying what's been created.