KenrilZ: @Cristianolopes
Fallout 3 is a first person shooter whose only similarity to the first two Fallout games are the names and models of some creatures, and is in no way worthy of bearing the Fallout name.

KenrilZ: @Cristianolopes
FO3 is a very different game than FO1 or 2 <snip>

KenrilZ: But that's my point. If they wanted to do a spin-off game in the Fallout universe, that'd be fine, but they shouldn't have titled it Fallout 3. Fallout - in my mind - should never have been turned into an action game. It's pandering to the lowest common denominator.
Fallout 3 may be a great FPS, even with Deus Ex style RPG additions... but that doesn't make it a true sequel to Fallout 1 and 2.

imperialus: Well what would make a game Fallout then? A top down isometric perspective? Turn based combat? 16 bit graphics? Engaging story? Dogmeat? S.P.E.C.I.A.L? 10mm Ammo? Moral choices? Fallout 3 has at least 4 (I would say 5) of those.
I agree that FO3's story isn't quite as strong as FO1's but I would put it above FO2 for sure. 11 years ago When I was 16 years old Fallout blew my mind, it was insane and I'd have a tough time telling you how many times I've beaten it. It's had its moment though and it's time to move on. Games do that, sometimes I like the changes other times I don't (Just look at the failed X-Com clones) I'd rather see a company with the resources, ability and desire to do something genuinely cool with a franchise than watch it get stuffed into obscurity like most the other 80's - 90's era CRPG's like Might and Magic, Ultima, Wizardry ect.
I guess to me at least what it boils down to is FO3 still captures what I see as the essence of Fallout. The retro-futurism, the post apocalyptic wasteland, the freedom of choice (though I wish there were more options for a pacifist build) and a touch of lightheartedness. I don't know about anyone else but as one example I found Moira's naivete and eagerness to try and 'fix the world' to be quite touching. Particularly the line of dialogue where she compares the world to a broken piece of glass and says that even though it's impossible to make back the way it was maybe we can make something better out of it.
*edit* Then again, perhaps I'm more willing to forgive Fallout 3 because I've seen what happens when a development company well and truly [url=reviews.cnet.com/xbox-360-games/shadowrun-xbox-360/4505-11457_7-31484512.html]buchers an IP [/url] annihilating [url=wiki.dumpshock.com/index.php/Timeline]20 years worth of background [/url] and properly alienating an entire fanbase to the point that the current publishers of the Shadowrun PnP game came out and said that the computer game so extensively rewrote the backstory for Shadowrun that it would be better described as being 'loosely inspired by Shadowrun'

imperialus: Well what would make a game Fallout then?

GoodFoodDude: As most may know Fallout 3 was in the works under Interplay long before the IP was even up for grabs for Bethesda. Van Buren I would've loved to see today as it had everything Fallout was. Unfortunately it wasn't given the chance to shine!
For those too that say Isometric doesn't have a place in today's game then I pity you. Games are great because of choice and diversity of gameplay and style. FPS is not only all was ever seem to see today but also FPS itself is old as well (Wolfenstein 3D anyone?) Isometric would still sell. Diablo 3 is staying with its roots and not letting anyone change that. Van Buren (Original Fallout 3) was going to have close to the same engine and the worst is though Van Buren had a much better story than Beth's Fallout 3.
As others I give Beth's Fallout venture a hand for being a good game. Its a spin off now matter how you look at it though. The SPECIAL system has been picked to the bone and changed soo much to fit the "oblivion" style of gameplay that its just a turn down for me. The fact that the game stops you from being "over powerful" or "too good" is a yet another. If I see a lock pick on a door I want to be able to try to break it instead of seeing the "Your Lock Pick Level is not High Enough" (Talk about taking away the immersion of its not a game feel). I could go on with bone picking this game but it doesn't matter cause over all its a good game in its own right.
I said the same for Fallout Tactics when it came out. Waiting 11 years for a true blue sequel to Fallout and getting a spin off title such is disappointing. The reason so many others are enraged. Bethesda is a good company but not great. They are good at what they do, FPS/RPG, but that's all. It's almost as if these days they are afraid to just break out and do something that's truly old school. Blizzard did it and are doing it today while making new innovations to newer forms of games and thus why they are on top of the top.
So over all I guess I stand in the middle here. I have my views of Fallout 3 which are good and bad. Even if it is silly I do agree thought he biggest was the title.

Npl: Great read.
Just a quick question: this is a different Chris Taylor than the one from Cavedog/Gas Powered Games?
Seems to be a good name for good Gamedevelopers

Carra: Thanks for the interesting read!

@KenrilZ. That's just a matter of opinion. Fallout 3 is the best game I've played since years and many others agree.

Shabuti: I'm wondering if the time limit has been removed on this version?