Word of advice: don't go into the south east part of the map east of the ranger station at the bottom unless you're high level and packing alot of heat and or a ton of plasma grenades. Also has anyone taken that perk at the start where you are supposed to see random and odd things? I only had it happen twice: you see vault boy's face at the botom of the screen with a confused expression and you get an audio cue like its from an old scifi movie. The first one was i found a body in a fridge and the other is a cave i found. Not sure what's so strange about either. Hoping the guide says somethign when i get it.
Here's something thing else: is it just radiation that causes ghouls or the fact that everyone in the fallout universe has been exposed to FEV? If it was radiation there'd be ghouls galore. I think its a mix of genetics, FEV exposure (folks were exposed to it and other "super virus" prior to the war according to canon) and the radiation. the radiation kickstarts the fev to regenerate their bodies and make them nearly immortal. What do you guys think?
No, the FEV virus makes Super Mutants. I think it's just that there's levels of Radiation Exposure.
For example:
Level 1: Minor Radiation exposure (short term)
Level 2: Major Radiation exposure (short term - quick)
Level 3: Lethal Radiation exposure (death)
Level 4: Long term radiation exposure (minor - sickness)
Level 5: Long term radiation exposure (major - ghoulification)
Level 6: Long term continual radiation exposure (minor - 'rabid' ghoul)
Level 7: Long term continual radiation exposure (major - Glowing One)
As far as them being everywhere, I suppose it depends on where you look. In Fallout 3 (DC), there were quite a few - others, who weren't affected, lived in vaults, caves, subways or were otherwise protected.
The one thing I don't understand is Rivet City. If that thing was anywhere NEAR a source of radiation, it would be like a magnet for radiation!!
As far as the Wilderness perk in Vegas, I didn't take it (at least the first go-round) because I wanted to play through the game 'normally'. If/when I go through it again (i.e. to be a total bad guy or something) I make take it. I notice, though, that I only get perks every two levels up. Weird.
And the guy in the fridge? Indiana Jones. Seriously!
Also, keep an eye out for Holy Hand Grenades! There's actually a sign that says something like "Count to 5 3 to blow your enemy to smithereens!" ...and the 5 is crossed out.
Anybody find any aliens yet?