Actual deep systems. Guns having skill and stat checks, multiples bullet types for various encounters, Highly customizable perk system that actually feels like you’re building a character rather than Bethesda patented Ace of all trades by end game. Proper skill, reputation and karma checks. Factions are actually interesting, has nuance, and affect each other extensively. Great writing, funny dialogue, huge amount of possible ways to complete quests and effects that follow.
There are pros and cons to the survival/hardcore mode. Though I prefer NV’s because of the survival skill and ability to save anytime I want (vanilla non-modded). Wild Wasteland trait actually gives me great references too. Speaking of trait, that ‘s another one system that makes your character you instead of the bland way 4 does it. You’re basically either from the army if you’re a guy or a lawyer if you’re a girl.
Also Mr. New Vegas loves me and he reminds me every time
Really, the only thing I could give to 4 unconditionally is graphics and gunplay of which there are superior ways to customize via modding with lots of them tying into the vanilla NV system to deepen your customization. Also, I liked 4’s version of power armor though I prefer it if it required power armor training still and ran on micro fusion cells. Actually more accurate to FO1/2 power armor instead of clothing like in 3 and NV. As a note, NV actually has multiples more amount of weapon types compared to 4. Really the only thing actually making them feel like they have variety is slapping a legendary effect.
I really like NV more than 3 even cause fucking metro system sucks ass, the whole map is level scaled so it doesn’t matter where you’ll go, you’ll always find enemies at your level with little to no challenge. Dialogue is a dice roll with stat and skills at the mercy of your luck and not the in game luck stat. No reputation system. Karma system sucks ass with little to no effects other than companion recruitment. Bullshit main quest where it’s your destiny to get bombarded by radiation according to my companion who is immune to radiation. Big guns being a useless skill until end game. Overly long intro sequence that shares the same thing with 4. Basically locking you towards finding a family member. Hilariously missing aiming down sights even with guns that do have sights. More than a century of rebuilding and garbage still present in settlements.
There are however some good points to 3. Atmosphere is excellent where I prefer not playing the radio over in game music. Tunnel snakes rule. Institute foreshadowing. Super Mutant Behemoths. Some recurring characters from earlier Fallouts like the tree guy. Nothing beats going out the vault for the first time with that bright filter and looking around the world. Props for introducing protectrons and making nuka cola a focal point. They’re actually iconic now because of Bethesda. Bethesda are also responsible for making Vaults have a more sinister air to them as in earlier Fallouts they were literally just bunkers. Now they’re more of a fucked up science experiment wrapped up in a gift box expecting to be discovered by the next protagonist. Liberty Prime is a great addition as well. Death to the communist.
DLCs are all basically superior in NV as well. Really the only thing that comes close to the worst dlc in NV are Far Harbor in 4 and Point Lookout and The Pitt in 3. Even Honest Hearts despite having the least impact features a great new map, compelling characters in Joshua Graham and ties very well into existing lore and other dlcs which have great foreshadowing. Dead Money, although very divisive, actually grew on me the more I played it. Great story, oozing with atmosphere and again ties nicely with the lore of the main game and dlcs. For a survival horror fan, this is top tier.
If I ever wanted something more out of New Vegas, it’s that I really wanted something like Broken Steel where it allows you to actually see the effects of what you’ve done. 3 and 4 allows this but NV doesn’t. The game basically ends after the battle at hoover dam. 4 even turns into a looter shooter post game. Basically farming out legendaries for all kind of legendary weapons effects. It just allows for more longevity once you’ve ran out of quests and locations to explore.
