Absolutely awe inspiring, great gameplay, great story, but not without issues.
The graphics are great, the landscape is brilliantly designed to look just like what I'd imagine an apocalyptic DC would look like. However, there are still many issues with character movements and such, an issue that plagued Oblivion to an extremity. Movements are still pretty clunky but the otherwise good graphics make up for this.
The story can be pretty impersonal sometimes, making you feel like an observer rather than a player. The immersion at the beginning was good, VERY good I mean, it gave me chills because it was that good. Toward the middle (where I am) I kind of felt like people were just talking at me, which kind of pissed me off because I didn't feel important at all, except for just killing stuff.
Another low point, perhaps the biggest problem that also plagued Oblivion, is the lack of populace. I go into a 'town' and discover a whopping 10 people, then I go into the wastes and kill 25 raiders on my way to the next 'town'. I know its post-apocalypse, but come on...its been 200 years since the bombs fell, there are almost no people, and there are more raiders than there are civilians. That's kind of funky if you ask me, I hope someone will address this in a user created mod or something (Maybe I'll do it, who knows).
I like the FPS style that Bethesda has implemented into Fallout, it doesn't exactly feel like a genuine FPS with all the sharp controls, but it really manages to pull it off without making it seem like 'Oblivion with guns!!!111one'.
To all of those hardcore Fallout fans: Bethesda was really good about keeping the best of Fallout and the best of Oblivion, managing to keep the best of both worlds and at the same time managing to implement newer ideas and technology. Their sandbox style fit perfectly with the Fallout I remember and loved. Bravo Bethesda, bravo. I can't wait for your next installment in either Fallout or Elder Scrolls.
**I bought this game, despite having the chance to download it. Why? Because I want more of Bethesda's pieces of art, and those who make these games deserve all the credit they can get**