Fallout 3 is a fantastic game.
Why though?
Technically is it full of bugs. It crashes and breaks all the time. (At this time patches have fixed it on the xbox 360 version) So it does not win any points for being outstanding from a technology point of view.
Gameplay though, that is where it gets all it's stars. I rarely have this much fun with a game. I enjoyed the combat of the game, the leveling decisions to be made and the perks system. The combat in Fallout 3 is bloody and fun. The leveling is deep enough that you have to think about how you are going to distribute your points and the perks just make the game a bit zanier. Yes I typed zanier.
Combat: Even though for some gamers the VATS system may make the game slow I find it adds the layer of strategy that just makes everything a bit better. Check the wiki here for info about the VATS system if you don't know what I am talking about. The guns in the game also add another layer of complexity. Do I want to blow him up with a rocket launcher, snipe him from far away or get up close and blast that super mutant bitch right in the face. I loved the shot gun!
Leveling and Perks: Leveling was handled expertly here. It retains the same style as the old Fallout games yet manages to update everything in a way that translates well to gaming today. I love how custimizable everything is. I could have a stealthy character who emerges from the shadows to blow you away with a rocket launcher if I so chose. That alone makes everything fantastic.
In short go play Fallout 3
