Game studios these days are rarely willing to take significant risks when it comes to top-dollar investments of both time and money, but every once in a while a strong vision and hard work can go a long way. For the programmers over at Bethesda, Fallout 3 turned out to be one of the biggest RPG releases in an incredibly strong sales year. With the follow-up Fallout: New Vegas, both Bethesda and new developer Obsidian Entertainment are hoping that the fans and the success will follow the franchise name into the neon wasteland.

Given the recent resurgence in world-building with games like Fallout 3, Bioshock, Red Dead Redemption, and the upcoming Bioshock: Infinite, there's no question that the unique vision of Las Vegas that the designers at Obsidian have dreamed up is a compelling world. While we've been given extensive looks at the art direction of New Vegas, as well as the thinking behind weaponry and sound design, the proof is in the pudding.

Wait no longer, since these three videos detailing the opening of the game have recently surfaced online. We now have a glimpse at the story introduction, character customization, and first steps in the game world. If you have yet to take the trip on your own console, then have a look at what you're missing:

httpv://www.youtube.com/watch?v=V2AWZaekxVc

httpv://www.youtube.com/watch?v=f5MB8NLUpG0

httpv://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lxK3S2Upxjs

One of the largest questions with New Vegas was exactly how the game would be connected to its predecessor, so it's nice to see a detailed and stylized introduction to give some context and mood to this new adventure. Who couldn't spend hours just listening to Ron Perlman talk anyway? Clearly the tradition of having a talented voice cast is still being honored.

As one of the apparent minority who spent a few hours with Fallout 3 before deciding that it was the exact kind of RPG I didn't enjoy pouring hours into, I've had mixed feelings about New Vegas. I'm a sucker for a stylish world with a unique twist, and can't get enough of compelling story decisions, so the first looks at New Vegas went a long way toward removing some of my skepticism about a follow-up to Fallout 3. Unfortunately, Fallout 3 was a critical and commercial success, so it's hard to believe that Obsidian will be making major changes to gameplay. Which is a shame, since the look of New Vegas itself seems worthy of some exploration.

A game that opens with a bang is sure to get some people hooked, so the number of gamers still holding out on picking up a copy may be getting smaller by the day. Let's not even discuss the trouble they'll have picking a console given the recently-announced Xbox 360 exclusive DLC.

Convinced or not, you can try your luck today in Fallout: New Vegas on the Xbox 360, PS3, or PC.