im still trying to figure out how this topic is still on the front page.

its just that good

well then your welcome :)

This ALMOST sounds like TOS fans rambling about TNG/DS9/Voyager.
Everyone that stands in the middle is berated by both sides.

It's people like you that make *chan flamers come out and "play".

if you think i associate myself with flamers and participate in such actions you are horribly wrong. if you can tell me that the one that made that pic is not immature and ignorant then you are also horribly wrong. to support it by simply posting a link is also horribly wrong.
NOTE: i only posted at nma about 3 times so im not part of the community.

what you need to realize, along with everyone else is that this is a Good OLD Game fan site, don't expect to waltz in here and contradict the common opinion with no recoil, because it is NOT going to happen.
I'm not angry and hopefully I haven't come across as a "flamer" to anyone, I'm just making a point.

i love it when fallout 3 worshippers go to NMA to post their abominations and feed the angry community though :D

Hello Chaps,
interesting debate...
do any of you think that Fallout 3 might have helped the Fallout franchise?
I've come to Gog and downloaded Fallout 1 precisely because I enjoyed the hell out of Fallout 3 on the PS3. Sure, there were buggy bits, and some poor bits, but somehow that didn't matter. In lots of ways its a shoddily made game, but its still fun and memorable.
I enjoyed the setting so much, i forgave the game its flaws (and irritating end)
Its made me curious about playing the originals...surely that's a good thing?

Couldn't agree with you more, beejhou.
I've stayed out of this debate because I'm one of the few people who loved Fallout 1 & 2 & Tactics but also enjoyed Fallout 3. Once I learned that Bethesda bought the rights to my favorite games I had pletny of time to adjust to how that was going to change the game (having already played Oblivion). Once I came to grips with the fact that my preferred format for this rpg was never going to be duplicated I was free to enjoy Fallout 3.
The funny thing was that when I finished Fallout 3, I realized that I enjoyed it, but had an even stronger desire to play the originals again. I absolutely hated the ending but the rest was great. My only serious issue with the game has been being forced to install Games for Windows Live so I'll never be getting any of the DLC's.

Again I don't not like fallout 3.
It just doesn't fall in line with the other fallout games. They aren't similar except for the setting.

and the name.

I would say FO3 is similar to it's predecessors. The major fault for me is that FO3 has so much potential that was wasted. It is an incredibly frustrating experience when compared to the previous two games. I also detest the combat and VATS, it feels like such a chore. I much preferred being able to avoid combat in the originals.
I will be watching and waiting to see how FO4 turns out. With the vast amount of money they must have made from FO3+expansions, a sequel or two will be inevitable.
Also, roll on FO: New Vegas.

I'll be keeping an eye on New Vegas.

But sometimes less is more. I would have liked to see more RPG in Fallout 3, it IS lot of fun. But theres no "secrets" as in the two others, no reason to keep playing after all the quests are done. But the main point here is not as much in story telling as it is in "exploring". Point lookout was all about that, just to give an example. And that is where its ahead of all the other Rpg's this year. The new generation gamer is more interested in being able to run everywhere and get BFG's than a involving and immersive story.
(Again this may be all about taste, but thats not what i am experiencing when im talking with people)
And so the weapons suffer from this syndrome, you have your 44. magnum. your uzi, assult rifles, alien blaster, atom bomb thrower and snipers. Not very creative. There are almost no post apocolyptic minute made weapons, the kind that you thought would be in that kind of world. and the ones you can make... well only you can apparently make them!
Fallout 3 is the kinda game you can drop into and drop out of. Its easy with no complications and all of the dialog choices eventually burns down to
"Saint response- Neutral answer- Satanic insult". Its the kinda game where you can burn hours away just shooting things and watch the shoot-at-a-part-and-it-explodes technology at work.
And i love it!
Comparing it to games like NWN2 or Drakensang wont do it real justice as a RPG as the three a completely different.

I started with Fallout Tactics was the squad tactics and setting, wasn't looking for an rpg. That was controversial enough. Bought 1&2 off ebay and couldn't really get into them. Loved morrowind (loved modding it. had 114 mods running and highest level i got to while playing was 14) but wasn't over enthused on oblivion. Worst part of fallout 3 in the lack of support. trying to get the add on's to work was a nightmare for me.
What has happened in the falllout universe has happened in others. DOW is evolving, the thief series. Just have to take the good with the good and the bad with the bad.