Interesting backstory, nice getaway from main campaign, but dull combat and environment.
The main challenges to this game are a 2-sided coin. The bad part is the dull and hard (for low level) creatures, namely the "Ghost People", which are the only creatures you can physically harm, oh and the random 1xp radroaches. Why are the Ghost People dull? Because they don't look the part if you're expecting Paranormal Activity IV, in fact they look like veteran NCR junkies, with knives. Furthermore, the variants all look the same, and their dark clothes make them look more dreary in the gloomy backdrop. Bottom line is, they create more annoyance than tension.
The best side of the challenge in Dead Money is the vulnerability and scarcity you face, with an almost clean inventory slate, rare healing and offensive pickups, which makes a certain loot called "Dean's Stashes" very rewarding through exploration. Yes, this game rewards exploration in the desperation manner. Vulnerability occurs in the form of an explosive collar around you, annoying but entertainingly nail-biting in some situations.
There are some unique loot only the add-on offers, like the Holorifle and the Automatic Rifle, but not much. The companion characters provide some nice perspectives in their backstory muses, thus Speech is a key skill here. All in all, Dead Money appeals more to the quest-solver, not the trigger-happy.
KingLim