As an avid fan of the older Fallouts, its awesome to be able to play an online version.
First tried out the beta last autumn, working with a small group who together managed to form a gang and get a cave to resupply in. Had a lot of fun doing risky trade runs over the whole north, while leaving the actual fighting to the rest of the crew. After the next server wipe we fell apart, since we had mostly been preparing ourselves and our base for some real work when it hit us. Bad timing, I suppose. The few of us who kept on going adapted badly on our own- and we sort of faded away after a while.
Coming back now after the last wipe, I've been trying to get a grip on the changes since then. Much of the stuff involving crafting and factions/towns seems nicer, but as one of those seemingly few barter-focused players out there, I gotta say the changes to that has got me a bit miffed. But hey: Adopt, adapt, and improve. -Motto of the round table. I still find ways to make a living, even on my own.
Overall, I'm not sure I like the direction the game is taking, as I'm quite a gaming masochist.
I like having the wasteland constantly trying to kill me around every corner. If I wont have to fight with claws and teeth to keep what few scraps I can scavenge from an unfair post-apocalyptic world, then it doesnt feel like that world is really taking me seriously. I love that anyone technically can take a gun out and blow my face off at any time I'm in a populated area. If I'm standing still where someone sees me- I got it coming! There should always be risk of being robbed, killed or a combination of both at any time. Constant paranoia really made the game quite an experience for me when I played it last autumn, and I can only hope I'll have to survive equally dangerous situations this time around.
I may hate losing my hard earned stuff, I may curse aloud and have my mood ruined for days at times, but I'll be damned if I don't get stomped into the ground before I rise back up stronger again.
No road should be without sharp rocks and harsh weather, however safe you think it is. It builds character, dammit.