Does hardcore mode come with permadeath, or just some more micromanagement of status stuff? I don't mean that in a negative sense, it sounds cool. I just never even looked at NV. With all the time I put into FO3 (well over 100 hours), I never finished it or even started any of the DLC. I can't justify picking up NV because of that.
Depends on which HC Mode you're talking about.
FO: NV's - Official Hardcore Mode details.JE Sawyer's Even More Hardcore Mode PC MOD details.
[PC only - requires FO:NV Ultimate Edition (requires ALL FO:NV content - which is FO:NV Base Game + ALL 4 Main Content DLC's + 2 Item Pack DLC's)].If you loved FO1 and 2, you really should pick-up FO:NV Ultimate Edition - especially on the PC, if you have a decent PC. With FO:NV being similar to FO1/2 - I don't mean combat-wise here (obviously), I actually mean in style and tone. FO:NV has more of FO1+2 vibe in style, tone, dark-comedy, writing, dialogue, irony, and all of that stuff. Bethesda was never that good at doing that kind of stuff - they just make amazing and pretty much un-matched full-blown open-world experiences; with the story and character being enough to keep the player going. FO3 is flat-out MUCH better at the more open-world aspect and the main Dad storyline might tug at the heart quite a bit -- but FO:NV does a much better job of allowing for much different choices (with different out-comes); much better narrative-telling and story-telling (Chris Avellone's involved - and it most definitely shows here BIG-TIME); and Speech skills are WAY more useful and WAY more important in FO:NV (than in say FO3).
Both FO3 GOTY and FO:NV Ultimate are amazing, all for their own reasons.
Also - FO:NV Old World Blues is one of the best DLC's ever made, IMHO.
If you time things right, maybe FO:NV Ultimate PC will be $10 again somewhere...it's been that cheap before numerous times (during Steam Sales, that insane Microsoft Store Sale, etc).
EDIT:
About FO3 GOTY - I absolutely recommend you check out The Pitt DLC and Point Lookout DLC. Those were awesome DLC's.
If you want some cool weapons and a cool (somewhat linear) DLC, Mothership Zeta's worth your time.