First, some background. I was just 19 years old in 2002 when I bought The Elder Scrolls 3. I didn't like it at all. A hostile open world that didn't hold my hand was just too much for me at the time I suppose. "Give me more CoD!" I imagine I shouted as I traded it into my local Funcoland or some other deceased gaming chain. But, 4 years later when TES4 was released, I was a little older/wiser and decided to give it a go. I've been a Todd Howard fan ever since. I loved Fallout 3, but I've always been more of an Elder Scrolls fan. The setting is more to my tastes.
With Fallout 4 I was expecting more of Fallout 3; An exciting adventure that I will thoroughly enjoy, but with slightly dated graphics, a few bugs, a main story that is so-so, and in a setting I'm not overly fond of. I was dead wrong. I currently have 3 and a half days of played time with one character and here are my findings...
*The graphics, though a little dated, are better than I was expecting. The environments and landscapes can be extremely beautiful. And in my 3+ days of played time I've encountered just one quest bug and a single lock up that set me back about 60 seconds. One thing to remember is that TES and Fallout games are not about graphics, they're about gameplay and the sheer amount of it. To make a game as massive and detailed as F4, but look as beautiful as say, Endor in Star Wars: Battlefront, would probably take some ridiculous computing power.
*The game's core mechanics have been greatly improved. The way I describe the improvements to people who are interested in Fallout 4, but didn't care for Fallout 3 goes something like; "Fallout 3 was a great RPG that was trying (and failing) to be an FPS. Fallout 4 is an FPS that is also an RPG." The shooting is far more refined and as a result more fun in F4. You really don't have to rely on V.A.T.S. to be effective in combat anymore.
*Voice acting is the best it has been since the beginning. Previous games would have 2 or 3 big hollywood actors and a handful of nobodies filling out hundreds of characters. Though there are no huge hollywood names in F4, this game has a massive cast with quality actors. So far I've felt every character to be unique, though the familiar voice of Claudia Christian of Skyrim and Babylon 5 fame, reminds me what game I'm playing. I was worried that having my character fully voice acted would take away from playing the game the way I pleased. I have found this to be untrue. Not only do I feel the character has represented himself in the ways I've wished, but the story the game lets you uncover at your own pace, is deeper than I ever imagined.
*Anyone else feel like they're in Game of Thrones with this story? I've never felt so torn in any video game in my life. Sure you can probably just join one group and stick with them if you desire, but I felt inclined to join the Minutemen, The Brotherhood of Steel, The Atom Cats, The Railroad, and now The Institute. The story takes all or most of these facts into account and doesn't miss a beat. Who do I betray? Who do I support?
*Town building is addicting! Though it can be tedious, and my heaviest fortification has yet to be attacked, I find myself drawn to it. Building up, equipping my guards, and placing defenses reminds me of my youth playing games like command and conquer. Reviews I have read said it's a waste of time, but most people I've spoken to seem to enjoy it as much as I do.
*In the past I had felt the original scores for the Fallout games though good, were inferior to the Elder Scrolls. This is no longer the case. Composer Inon Zur does an excellent job here. So good I just had to buy the track "Rebuild, Renew" from iTunes. I encourage the musically inclined of you to give it a listen.
I'm currently writing this review and not playing Fallout 4 simply because I'm exhausted. The emotional story and the high level of action have drained me for the time being. 3 days and 12 hours of play time has given me 60% completion. I look forward to squeezing every last drop out of my final 40% with a smile on my face. And to those who say this game is crap; I'm terribly sorry Call of Duty won't be winning game of the year.