Just got through the current Bombcast, and found myself agreeing with the sentiment that despite not DISLIKING Fallout, there just hasn't been... The hook? I guess? Forget all the internet circle jerk on overhyped, overrated, etc. The proof for me is in the desire to jump in and play more. This time around, that draw just hasn't existed.
I'm reminded of Jeff's earlier quote: "Am I crazy for wanting this to be better?"
I finished the story, did a fair amount of base stuff, engaged with the collection and marking systems, played on harder difficulties, etc. I got my moneys worth, no question. But very rarely did I find myself enthralled. This stands out to me because I think the Fallout style might be my favorite in all of games.
After about 40 hours of Fallout, I finally got around to checking out the GOTY Edition of Dragon Age Inquisition and was struck by the stark contrast in quality. It was immediately refreshing to play a game that just worked smoothly. Even something as small as engaging NPCs in conversation. It just works. Obviously the design is less ambitious, but it begs the question: Is Bethesda's "ambition" really worth the poor design?
As I think back over my time in FO4, it was an experience marked more by clunkiness than wonder or fun. For every improvement, there was another element that fell flat or failed to move forward. Good gunplay? Still need to go to your inventory mid-fight and eat a feast of cooked scorpion and cola. Result? Improved mechanics don't matter much because the flow of combat is just as stilted as older games. There are a ton of examples big and small.
So after wasting many valuable work hours thinking about this, I've come to a personal conclusion: I don't think I like Bethesda RPGs much these days. The negatives outweigh the positives, and I'm not impressed by the "emergent" world enough to tolerate the rest of the mess. And it's a bummer, man.
TLDR: Usually I'm good to go for a Bethesda game, and I stay in the fun fog for a good long time before I realize what a mess they are. This time around, the fog lifted early. And I don't think I can go back.
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