I think I will add to the argument about FO3 and FO:NV:
Fallout New Vegas is equally good as it is bad. They didn't live up to the revamped content and graphics that I thought they would do, instead, yes, they used the same from FO3. While I liked reminiscing about the olden days of the first Fallout series, the cross references were a bit trite at times and introduced no originality (they even rehashed the old background music). I was expecting Obsidian Entertainment to create waves in the franchise, but they only made a few ripples with this release. And as much as I want to play a character that has melee and hand-to-hand proficiency, it is impossible due to the absolute need for the gun skill in the game. The post-nuclear war aspect of the wasteland seemed scant to me. I honestly thought they would bring back vehicles in this one, but that would probably be overkill.
FO:NV did maintain a versatile storyline. The NPCs seemed well-rounded with the exception of a few. New Vegas also offered something different: the ability to make ammo, which I think they could've limited the guns and increased the upgrades and ammunition varieties.
...OK I take that back kind of. Fallout 3 is good if you imagine it's a totally different game. I was really hoping for the Van Buren kind of sequel that they had teased us with but instead we got something that is totally new. Novelty is probably a good thing in the end, but I'll always reserve my right to gripe and gripe.
I was waiting patiently for Fallout 3 from around 2003 until Black Isle dropped the ball and Bethesda picked it up. I was skeptical that a FPS was taking over and this would be the end to turn-based action, but FO3 blew my socks off. I seriously doubt that Van Buren would have been successful enough to continue the franchise (just look what happened with that piece of shit FO: BOS). Bethesda resuscitated Fallout from the brink of collapse.
For those wondering about the Van Buren edition, there is still this demo video on YouTube:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1uuDKrY7eW0