Alright, so the other day, I got this sudden urge to dive back into New Vegas. Not just any playthrough, though. I had this idea buzzing in my head: “misfits.” I wanted to see what it’d be like to really lean into that, either by building a team of the weirdest companions or just playing my character like a complete oddball, someone who just doesn’t fit in anywhere.
Getting Started with the Misfit Idea
First thing I did was boot up the game. It’s been a while, you know? Had to remember where all my saves were, not that I was gonna use ’em. Fresh start, that was the plan. I didn’t go crazy with mods this time, just a few stability things because, well, it’s New Vegas. We all know how that goes. The main thing was getting into the mindset. No more Mr. Nice Guy or super-efficient killer. This time, my Courier was going to be… unconventional.
I spent a good hour just on character creation, trying to make someone who looked like they’ve had a rough time and maybe made some questionable life choices. Low charisma, maybe? Skills all over the place? Yeah, that felt right. The kind of person who’d try to fix a toaster with a sledgehammer, you know?
The Actual Journey: Embracing the Chaos
So, I wake up in Doc Mitchell’s house, same as always. But this time, instead of being all polite and agreeable, I tried to be a bit of a pain. Picked the weirdest dialogue options. Stole a spoon. Little things, just to set the tone for myself.
Then, Goodsprings. Normally, I’m all about helping those folks out against the Powder Gangers. Standard hero stuff. This time? I seriously considered siding with Joe Cobb, just for the heck of it. Or better yet, trying to play both sides and failing spectacularly. I ended up doing a real sloppy job “defending” the town, mostly by accident. My character wasn’t a smooth operator, that’s for sure.
Finding my Misfit Crew (or trying to):
This was the real challenge. I wasn’t aiming for the A-team. I wanted the companions who are a bit… off. Or the ones you usually overlook.
- First, I thought about Raul. He’s got that sarcastic Ghoul thing going on, definitely a bit of an outsider. Getting him was the usual trek, but convincing him I wasn’t just another smoothskin looking for a pack mule took some weird dialogue choices on my part.
- Then there’s Lily. A Nightkin grandmother figure who sometimes forgets you’re not her grandkid, or worse, thinks you’re a threat. Yeah, she fit the bill. Her companion quest? A whole lot of “what is even happening right now?” moments.
- I even tried to see if I could make a go of it with characters that aren’t “official” long-term companions, just tagging along. That mostly ended in them getting shot because my “misfit” playstyle often involved a lot of running away or accidentally starting fights I couldn’t finish.
My own character’s behavior was a big part of it. I’d walk into a casino wearing rags. I’d try to barter with Deathclaws (didn’t work, surprise). I picked perks that sounded useless but fun. The “Confirmed Bachelor” or “Cherchez La Femme” perks are standard, but I was trying to find even weirder synergies, or just picking things because they sounded funny. My reputation with factions was all over the place. One day I’m a hero to the NCR, the next I’m accidentally making them hate me because I sold some NCR dog tags I “found.”
What I Learned from Being a Wasteland Weirdo
It was… an experience. Let me tell you, playing New Vegas as a “misfit” is actually pretty tough. The game isn’t always built for you to be completely illogical or socially awkward. Dialogue options sometimes force you into being somewhat competent.
But it was also hilarious. The reactions from NPCs when you pick the most unhinged dialogue option? Priceless. And cobbling together a team of companions who are all dealing with their own serious issues, while my Courier is arguably the biggest mess of them all, led to some genuinely funny moments. It felt like I was directing a really low-budget, chaotic wasteland sitcom.
Ultimately, it made me appreciate the game’s flexibility even more. Even when I was actively trying to break the “hero” mold, there was usually a path, however rocky. It was a good reminder that sometimes, not taking things too seriously is the best way to play. Definitely a different vibe from my usual “save the Mojave with ruthless efficiency” playthroughs.
