The Witcher or Fallout 3?

I can't identify with your opinion at all, although I know lots of people have it.

I'll say this: It's clear to me that Bethesda narrowed their focus pretty severely for Fallout 3.

And it upsets me because it almost surely signifies that TES V will follow the same pattern, since lots of people claim to love it while having disliked TES IV, which to me is superior everywhere it counts.

I know you asked first, but tell me, specifically: what makes Fallout 3 better? What has improved?

Emilyek_1

Well, as I mentioned originally...

- More interesting, strategic combat (via VATS). I use it for nearly all combat, I will admit the real time FPS aspect of combat in Fallout 3 is pretty bad. But the pause and play combat is something I really enjoy in games like KOTOR and NWN and their sequels. So that is probably why I find the combat more interesting. It allows me to plan combat and to be more tactical. Oblivion always felt way to simplistic and as a spell caster, I found the real time combat to be a major drawback.

- The Gameworld feels alot more interesting, though smaller than Oblivion. I would say that this is achieved through a number of different ways. More interesting and varied NPCs, towns and quests. Oblivion just had a sameness to it. The writing in Fallout 3 I will admit may not be up there with NWN2 Mask of the Betrayer but it clearly is better than the Oblivion. I guess, my main point is that the gameworld, while smaller, is alot more interesting and varied.

Again, I know this is all opinion, so you are certainly entitled to yours, but I just don't see how an argument can be made that Oblivion is a much better game. Oblivion has huge scope but depth wise, is it's biggest flaw.

[QUOTE="mudflaps2001"]I can see your point, but I don't think it is valid with fiction because its... fiction. I think it has more to do with people's expectations: if the story involves swords and magic, the culture must represent medieval Europe. Seems silly to me, but to each their own.smerlus

I understand that it's fantasy and they can do what they want but these are also based off a book that didn't have dialogue like that. Something was lost in translation and someone must have thought more modern words would appeal to Americans or something.

I actually liked the crudity and swearing in the game - it's far more 'realistic' then any other fantasy RPG in that regard, even if the words are a bit modern.
I mean, you'd actually expect the characters in the game to actually use instults relating to 'your mother's experience with dwarves' atatomy', as opposed to whatever they say in other fantasy settings.

[QUOTE="mudflaps2001"]I don't know if this was asked yet or not since I didn't read all these posts, but why does it matter if modern slang is used in a game with dwarves, elves, swords, etc? Not every fantasy game has to be set in Middle Earth or based off D&D you know.smerlus

because it breaks immersion with the time period. I'm pretty sure if movies such as Braveheart, Lord of the Rings or other movies that reflected a certain time period or setting had people saying things like "dude I'm about to bounce up on out of this piece" they wouldn't have been rated as highly as they were.

They dropped F-bombs in Braveheart, and it still got extremely high ratings.

[QUOTE="smerlus"]

[QUOTE="mudflaps2001"]I don't know if this was asked yet or not since I didn't read all these posts, but why does it matter if modern slang is used in a game with dwarves, elves, swords, etc? Not every fantasy game has to be set in Middle Earth or based off D&D you know.chesterocks7

because it breaks immersion with the time period. I'm pretty sure if movies such as Braveheart, Lord of the Rings or other movies that reflected a certain time period or setting had people saying things like "dude I'm about to bounce up on out of this piece" they wouldn't have been rated as highly as they were.

They dropped F-bombs in Braveheart, and it still got extremely high ratings.

The "F-Bomb" has been used for houndreds of years...it's usage in that movie was appropriate.

Oh...sorry for the double reply but....

Got another 5-6 hours into Fallout 3 since my last reply and my opinion of the game is even stronger. The game is a masterpiece. There are some annoyances, mainly for me the way you repair weapons* and some AI inconsistencies, but overall the game and it's world is just amazing. The atmosphere is fantastic, and even though the world is just one huge wasteland, the inhabitants are extremely varied. Each town has it's own "feel" and the problems they face are different and feel well done.

*I think repairing would have been a lot better if you used parts (scrap metal, batteries, ect) and could only repair weapons at work benches.

*I think repairing would have been a lot better if you used parts (scrap metal, batteries, ect) and could only repair weapons at work benches.

dnuggs40

Agree, seems like they missed the boat as far as repairing weapons. Maybe even adding in the ability to mod weapons, that would have been cool.

I have both and it is a struggle to recommend one over the other. Right now I'm giving F3 more play time, but The Witcher is really the better RPG, I think.zaphod_b

Both are exceptional games and to pick one over the other is indeed a struggle. Honestly, if you've got to pick one I'd ask myself what atmosphere/genre I like better a fantasy or sci-fi game and go with that; later of course picking up the other!