Fallout 3 was one of the biggest RPG games of all time, with one of the best balances between storyline and player freedom in any game released. Players were awestruck by the open world concept that allowed for hours of unique gameplay, while discovering new locations throughout the world. The game sold over 9 million copies between PC and console systems, a million more than Fallout: New Vegas. Fallout 4 also had its success outselling both games by reaching a total of almost 14 million units sold. Today I am going to convince you (maybe unsuccessfully) why New Vegas is the better game.
Companions
Aside from Preston Garvey and Nick Valentine Fallout 4 has players finding themselves skipping through a lot of the companion dialogue to just get straight to the quest. An issue that reoccurs in the RPG genre, but of the Fallout series New Vegas suffers from this issue the least. A great example would be the story of the stray Dogmeat you find in the Wasteland, compared to how you acquire Rex from the King in Freeside. Another would be just how boring characters like Piper and Paladin Danse can be, while Cass and Raul invest you in their stories. Even interaction the most likeable characters in the other Fallout games could feel like the equivalent of sitting down at a bar listening to someone talk about their own problems for hours, every time you spoke to them.
The World
When I say “the World” I mean more the setting of the game, and not the map or locations itself. It simply is not fair to give New Vegas the edge over Fallout 3 due to a better look or smoother feel, or Fallout 4 the win over both games in this area. The more recently a game was developed can be directly responsible (most of the time) for the better look and feel of the game. The setting of New Vegas brings your character going on a manhunt across the Wasteland hunting the man who killed you and finding answers. All while being in the middle of an all-out war between the closest thing the world has to a government and a tribal force that represents the worst of humanity. Has much more weight than some players give it credit for.
New Vegas
The draw of a post-apocalyptic Las Vegas is so much greater than a city built inside a baseball stadium. One brings out a certain sense of romance and danger, such as diving into the criminal underworld attached to gambling. Even getting mixed in with the Fallout version of the Mafia or having to work all the angles you can just to gain access to the city makes you appreciate it even more. This when put up against Diamond City, that’s only real significance is being a large city only able to grow so large due to the defensibility of a stadium versus a suburban town.
The Story
All the previous arguments to this one only gives New Vegas a very small edge over the rest of the famous series. The biggest argument is undisputedly, the story you enjoy while playing the game. As mentioned early something about the two giant powers being at war, with you in the middle has a draw to it. Even with the struggle for power being a constant theme in the post-apocalyptic world of Fallout, this one feels the most real and tangible. Fallout 3 focuses more on the personal story of the player character, while in Fallout 4 none of the established powers feel like even a threat to you. As you build up your army of minutemen and choose which power to ally alongside you. Fallout 4 and New Vegas do a great job of working the revenge story type that gives the game a more personal feel. Though the Institute just feels like a regurgitated Skynet, terminators and all. Just the part of the story centered around the city of New Vegas has more appeal than the lengthy and often boring story of Fallout 4.
