We tested both to see how they compare.
Overall Findings
Immersive open world that rewards exploration.
DLC extends the main story by several hours.
More interesting and varied missions.
Greater weapon variety with customization options.
Steep difficulty curve at first.
Both feature top-notch graphics complimented by engaging stories and missions.
Every building can be explored and has something worth finding.
Weapons are plentiful and easy to find.
Confusing, maze-like underground tunnels with invisible walls.
Lots of boarded-up buildings you could’t enter.
Many locations offer little or no reward for discovering them.
Until you get decent armor and a decent weapon, it’s not fun.
Its opening few hours are the worst of any video game.
Fallout 3has the advantage when it comes to world design.
In contrast, the setting ofFallout 3features varied terrain with lots of landmarks to explore.
Mission Design: New Vegas Offers More Variety
More creative and varied enemies.
The main missions are more interesting than Fallout 3.
Nearly every named character is connected to a mission.
Huge variety of optional missions.
While the world is more interesting inFallout 3,New Vegashas better mission designs.
There are tons of unmarked missions you could take on by talking to everyone you meet.
Still, it makes sense considering that humans are greedy and pose the biggest problem in a survival situation.
Fighting ghouls and super mutants, though, is more fun.
Downloadable Content: Extra Missions and Super Weapons
Broken SteelDLC extends the main story.
New locales to explore like Point Lookout and The Pitt.
Evade alien abduction in theMothership ZetaDLC.
Start with better armor and weapons with theCourier’s StashDLC.
Get powerful super weapons with theGun Runner’s ArsenalDLC.
Old World Bluesis the best DLC for either game.
Back when you had to buy theDLCseparately,Fallout 3had better DLC for the price.
The presentation of each game is fairly equal, butNew Vegashas a few glitches.
