At face value fallout 3 and The elder scrolls IV both appear to be radically different games but upon closer inspection both games are incredibly similar. They are both developed by Bethesda studios, both utilise the havok physics engine, use the same basic gameplay mechanics to drive the plot and further character progression that it begs the question “Where are differences between these two games?”.
Indeed this similarities continue in the games design, both use an opened ended or sandbox game design where you can openly roam where you want and interact with NPC’s various different ways. Both include main quests essential in driving the games story forward but include many side quests to compliment the non- linear approach you can take to both games. Fallout 3 and the Elder Scrolls IV both utilise a “levelling” system where you gain experience points for defeating enemies and completing quests. This means that in both games the difficultly level remains fairly constant because as you level up you are presented with more challenging enemies.
Quests can be tackled through various means in keeping with the open ended gameplay, do you charge in gung-ho and massacre every in site? Or do you sneak in and take out carefully selected targets to achieve your objective?
For RPG fanatics there is plenty in both titles to keep their thumbs on their buttons as the customary character development is very detailed in both titles (more so in The Elder Scrolls IV) and as you travel through the levels you can experience points to character attributes ( such as strength and intelligence) , assign clothing armour and choose from a whole host of death dealing weaponry to suit your playing style.
Both are excellent games combining huge expansive worlds ready for exploration with an accessible combat system that makes the game appealing. The story lines are engaging and the voice acting and production values excellent, meaning even the most casual of gamers can take something from these titles.
Ignoring the technical similarities, the real difference between these games is in theme and content and if you had choose between the two it would these considerations that would be critical to your decision. Fallout 3 is a bleak post apocalyptic1950’s themed story, filled with bouts of swearing and a whole host of automatic weapon inspired violence whilst The Elder Scrolls IV is a more traditional RPG in the manner of Dungeons and Dragons where you battle man and beasts alike in hand