I can't say enough good things about this game. It is truly an amazing game that everyone should experience!
The atmosphere is bleak and perfectly matches the post-apocalyptic world that the first two games were set in. It is run-down and dreary, and that is what makes it so engrossing. The city really looks like it was hit with a nuke. However, there are famous landmarks scattered among the remains, reminding you that this is the good ol' U.S. of A.
Getting to know people and their stories is the most rewarding part of the game. Don't expect to encounter happy people who smile and tell you how wonderful their lives are. In fact, most of Fallout 3's citizens are depressed, poor, beaten-down wretches who are desperate for a savior. Dialogue options can be funny, or just rude at times. If a character give you a hard time, you can give it right back to them. The NPC's react to your deeds, and misdeeds. Don't be surprised if killing someone gets a town riled up and gunning for you....if you are noticed. The point of the game is to think of clever ways of handling dirty jobs. Perhaps using stealth and sneaking up to a person and slipping a live grenade into their pocket would be a better way of taking care of them.
The best part about Fallout 3 is the wide-open freedom you have. If you want to be a truly evil bastard, killing everyone you come across, you can. If you want to take the moral high ground and save people, you can also take that route. If you want to relive the "Mad Max experience" and try to survive out in the wasteland, scavenging corpses for weapons and bottle caps (Fallout 3's currency)...you can. It's this freedom that really makes you feel like part of the game world, and it's something that Bethesda does very well. The world is even more convincing than Oblivion was.
Just when you think you've seen everything the game has to offer, you see something that totally blows your mind.
While the textures aren't as beautiful as some other recent games, they do convey the appearance of a desolated wasteland very well. However, the overall graphics are very good, and even beautiful in some areas. The sound is also very good, and the haunting soundtrack is excellent. It fits the game well and is even chilling at times.
The V.A.T.S. targeting system is outstanding! Turning it on will stop time, allowing you to pinpointing which body part you want to attack. Aim for a leg and you can disable it, causing your enemy to slow down. This strategy allows you more time to react to their actions and to select the best weapon to kill them with. Or, go for headshot and you will likely do more damage, but at the cost of reduced accuracy. You can even shoot the weapon right out of their hands, which will usually cause them to run in fear. Or, they may pull out a board with nails driven through it, and charge straight for you.
I had read one reviewer who said the game is too short, but I don't agree. I am currently level 11, and I've been playing for over 40 hours now. The maximum level is 20, and I have not even finished the first major quest line. Keep in mind that there are a lot of hidden locations scattered throughout the wasteland, and you should explore them all.
The game is very addictive, and everyone owes it to themselves to play it. This should be Game of The Year!