Just past midnight, Fallout 3's first downloadable content on Xbox Live Marketplace, Operation Anchorage arrived. The expansion is a welcome addition to the popular game and so far, it's more action-packed than the original game. After downloading the game, we returned to the Capitol Wasteland to try and discover how to get into the action.

After loading the game, we received notification of a new Outcast Distress Signal, and tuned in to hear that there was a fight and backup was needed. A new location at the bottom portion of the map guided us to an area called Bailey's Crossroads where the Brotherhood was battling several super-sized super mutants.

Welcome to the newest Wasteland...

At first, the mission to help the Outcasts feels like a part of the game that hadn't yet been explored. But once you get to the simulation room, you're informed that you're needed to go into the sim in order to help the Outcasts get into a locked room that may have old and really valuable technology. Apparently the Pip-boy on your arm will do the trick. The premise is iffy but the real fun is when you get into the sim, which is the same vibe as the Tranquility Lane quest, but in color and much broader in scope. Just for getting into the sim, players are awarded 20G (a good thing). In the historical simulation, the Chinese have captured Anchorage, Alaska and it's your job to "get the red out." And this is where the game feels very different.

First, while your player uses ammo and health, you can't replenish those items by scavenging the bodies of dead Chinese soldiers, since they quickly disappear into their digital bits shortly after hitting the ground. Instead, you'll find health and ammo replenishers that refill both gauges. Second, you don't have access to all the hot equipment you had back in reality. You begin the game with a knife and a 10mm silenced pistol. Early on, you do get access to a sniper rifle, which you'll need as many of the more open areas of the map are peppered with enemy snipers. Mines and grenades also show up, as well as a new Gauss Rifle that can cause up to 80 points of damage and uses MF Cells to power a quick lightening bolt that explodes on impact. To add to its accuracy, it also has a long range scope. Getting used to the new rifle is a little difficult since it doesn't feel as accurate as a missile launcher or sniper but we're not going to complain much about new shiny guns.

Visually, the barren view of the Capitol Wasteland is replaced with rocky mountainside vistas, sprinkled with snow and a series of massive pipes that span mountaintops. It's also nice to see a sky that's bluer than it was in the original gme. The overall map for Anchorage is far smaller than the Wasteland and while areas look massive, limited stairwells and less open-world exploration (at least within our first two hours) feels very limited with a more linear feel.

Players can perform Metal Gear Solid stealth maneuvers by sneaking up on Chinese soldiers or pickpocketing them but our run-and-gun player attitude makes playing in hidden mode rather difficult. Soldiers here are also very smart and very accurate, adding to a slightly more frenetic pace of gameplay. While some snipe, others use bunkers as cover and when they own the high ground (Sun Tzu-style), they do present a challenge.

So far, the first DLC for Fallout 3 offers a slightly different take on the game, adds more action and feels well-worth the 800 points ($10).

Fallout 3 gallery

    Vault-Tec engineers have worked around the clock on an interactive reproduction of Wasteland life for you to enjoy from the comfort of your own vault. Included in Fallout 3 is an expansive world, unique combat, shockingly realistic visuals, tons of player choice, and an incredible cast of dynamic characters. Every minute is a fight for survival against the terrors of the outside world-radiation, super mutants, and hostile mutated creatures. (Screenshot 1 of 59)

    Vault-Tec engineers have worked around the clock on an interactive reproduction of Wasteland life for you to enjoy from the comfort of your own vault. Included in Fallout 3 is an expansive world, unique combat, shockingly realistic visuals, tons of player choice, and an incredible cast of dynamic characters. Every minute is a fight for survival against the terrors of the outside world-radiation, super mutants, and hostile mutated creatures. (Screenshot 2 of 59)

    Vault-Tec engineers have worked around the clock on an interactive reproduction of Wasteland life for you to enjoy from the comfort of your own vault. Included in Fallout 3 is an expansive world, unique combat, shockingly realistic visuals, tons of player choice, and an incredible cast of dynamic characters. Every minute is a fight for survival against the terrors of the outside world-radiation, super mutants, and hostile mutated creatures. (Screenshot 3 of 59)

    Vault-Tec engineers have worked around the clock on an interactive reproduction of Wasteland life for you to enjoy from the comfort of your own vault. Included in Fallout 3 is an expansive world, unique combat, shockingly realistic visuals, tons of player choice, and an incredible cast of dynamic characters. Every minute is a fight for survival against the terrors of the outside world-radiation, super mutants, and hostile mutated creatures. (Screenshot 4 of 59)

    Vault-Tec engineers have worked around the clock on an interactive reproduction of Wasteland life for you to enjoy from the comfort of your own vault. Included in Fallout 3 is an expansive world, unique combat, shockingly realistic visuals, tons of player choice, and an incredible cast of dynamic characters. Every minute is a fight for survival against the terrors of the outside world-radiation, super mutants, and hostile mutated creatures. (Screenshot 5 of 59)

    Vault-Tec engineers have worked around the clock on an interactive reproduction of Wasteland life for you to enjoy from the comfort of your own vault. Included in Fallout 3 is an expansive world, unique combat, shockingly realistic visuals, tons of player choice, and an incredible cast of dynamic characters. Every minute is a fight for survival against the terrors of the outside world-radiation, super mutants, and hostile mutated creatures. (Screenshot 6 of 59)

    Vault-Tec engineers have worked around the clock on an interactive reproduction of Wasteland life for you to enjoy from the comfort of your own vault. Included in Fallout 3 is an expansive world, unique combat, shockingly realistic visuals, tons of player choice, and an incredible cast of dynamic characters. Every minute is a fight for survival against the terrors of the outside world-radiation, super mutants, and hostile mutated creatures. (Screenshot 7 of 59)

    Vault-Tec engineers have worked around the clock on an interactive reproduction of Wasteland life for you to enjoy from the comfort of your own vault. Included in Fallout 3 is an expansive world, unique combat, shockingly realistic visuals, tons of player choice, and an incredible cast of dynamic characters. Every minute is a fight for survival against the terrors of the outside world-radiation, super mutants, and hostile mutated creatures. (Screenshot 8 of 59)

    Vault-Tec engineers have worked around the clock on an interactive reproduction of Wasteland life for you to enjoy from the comfort of your own vault. Included in Fallout 3 is an expansive world, unique combat, shockingly realistic visuals, tons of player choice, and an incredible cast of dynamic characters. Every minute is a fight for survival against the terrors of the outside world-radiation, super mutants, and hostile mutated creatures. (Screenshot 9 of 59)

    Vault-Tec engineers have worked around the clock on an interactive reproduction of Wasteland life for you to enjoy from the comfort of your own vault. Included in Fallout 3 is an expansive world, unique combat, shockingly realistic visuals, tons of player choice, and an incredible cast of dynamic characters. Every minute is a fight for survival against the terrors of the outside world-radiation, super mutants, and hostile mutated creatures. (Screenshot 10 of 59)