That's just stupid. So games these days add in new features that function as cheats and not necessary gameplay elements?
Ironically, this quote fits Fallout 3's gameplay too
Fast travel isn't as h4xxxx as vita chambers though. Game developers are confusing "convenience features" and "illogical elements"

All I'm saying is, wanting them to remove the ability to use a feature which you were never required to use in the first place is completely idiotic. The Bioshock case is even dumber than Oblivion because at least with Oblivion it could be said that the auto travel feature gave them an excuse to populate the wilderness with nothing but bland random dungeons full of bland random mindless combat NPCs.

I can't tell if you are arguing with me or not, but I agree with your post =\
Compared to VATS, at least Oblivion had the choice of a) going on foot and gaining some xp and random loot; or b) just getting to your destination much much faster because you're not interested in that xp or loot. Either way there are pros and there are cons, neither of which outweigh the other by a lot
At least this is a feature that you're not required to use if you don't want to. If VATS lets you take damage and make shots more random (especially based on percentage), then perhaps combat wouldn't be so unbalanced. As it is, telling people "you can ignore it if you want to" when it comes to VATS is pretty much bull. It was added in as part of combat, and it made combat very easy - that is a fact. Not using it increases bullet wastage by 3x, which makes the whole idea of "you can choose" moot
If I wanted this kind of decision making of "use it or not at all" because the developers were half assed and wanted to cater to a larger audience, I might as well play Max Payne and call it an RPG too

I'm not talking about VATS, though I guess the same idea applies. If you don't have to use it, and don't want to, just don't. Of course if the very fact of it's inclusion mean the game was altered negatively to accommodate it as may be the case with Oblivion's fast travel, then you actually have something to argue with.

That's why it's fundamentally flawed. Playing as an all around combat character, ammo can sometimes run a little low if you don't use VATS; however using VATS isn't an alternative as the turn based system was in Fallout 1 and 2 - instead, it completely turns the tables round for you

Right, well VATS is apparently a case where the rest of the game system was designed to cater to this specific gimick.

Also I believe that Bethesda did mention before that VATS was supposed to appeal to nostalgic fans, not to look like a hack/cheat. True, the old turn based system could be exploited to a certain extent, but there were limitations eg. shoot run > around corner > wait, but VATS is a totally different story
Too bad, then, that like you said, VATS is a gimmick at best, and a failed solution to anything at worst. And that's why, even after discounting the F word or the number 3 in its name, it's still difficult for me to call it one of the greatest games ever

Fallout 1 because I think it nails the freedom to approach each mission however you want that the other two don't. For instance there is at least three ways to beat the game depending on your skills and what areas you have explored. And I don't mean as in three different choices but three entirely different approaches, one that happens in an entirely separate, almost hidden room.
Plus the ending is awesome.

I felt more immersed in Fo3. but i like the humor and dialogue better in the first two.
In the original series i would do a lot of goofy stuff just to see what would happen, but i was very attached to my character and cared for some of the NPCs in Fo3.
I had more fun in Fo3, the game felt like less of a chore.

I own Tactics, Fallout 2, and Fallout 3. I understand that Fallout 3 COMPLETELY changed game play. All I want to say is that, a bunch of great series have changed or gone through a lot.
For instance, compare TES: Arena to Morrowind or Oblivion.
I guess the only reason I really like Fallout 3 is probably because I'm also a fan of the Elder Scrolls series, which for the past few games, have been in the same basic format.
So yes, I do understand that the change from turn-based, isometric rpg to FP/TP real time rpg is disappointing, but I still believe it to be a proper successor.

it's hate for hate's sake that feeds fallout3 haters.
it's a genuinely good game. and VATS, in many cases, evens the field for you. yes, if you're level 20 and using it against a single droid in the waste, you're god-like. but when you got super-mutants chasing after you with their pets and mini-guns, you need every advantage.

thats exactly what the mod community is for
i for one love a challenge and have installed endless diffuculty mods and the beautiful MMM (matrigens mutant mod) with increased spawns and ghoul rampage and whatnot to make every battle tough and exciting with the enemy always outnumbering me, and im a juggernaut with Str 9 and weapons and ammo beyond you wildest dreams at level 20 with fawkes the mutie as a companion and i still find myself dieing every now and then.
i dont think ive ever played a game to its full potential without mods, and that includes fallout 1 and 2

then i should be pirating games from now on, because i do not se purpose in paying for mods, i thought that i am paying for game. In this case we can say all games with modding ability are AAA titles because modders can make them better.

Best thing would be to pirate the games and pay the modders.