Here's the thing about the Fallout games-- they aren't perfect. To be honest, no RPG can really hold that claim. But since its first inception, the Fallout franchise (even with its eventual sale to Bethesda) has maintained a heavy handful of pure charm. Fallout 1 is full of brilliant one-liners and hilariously quotable bits of dialogue that transcend the game's age and remind us exactly what an RPG is about: roleplaying.
I'm guilty of often min-maxing the hell out of my characters. Who doesn't love dominating powerful foes in combat? I think it's a product of more contemporary *story-less* games that reward that sort of XP-milking behavior. Fallout puts me in my place. The reward is in becoming that character, not in loot or experience points. I firmly believe you can play whoever you want and still finish the game.
And you'll have a witty, wonderful time doing it.
(If you love this game, I recommend FO2 and Arcanum as well)