Well, before the last wipe I actually didn't even play this game even more, for 2-3 months I'd say, because I really was disappointed what a Fallout Online's become.
First, I whined (you know!
) then I just simply didn't care anymore. Then I've heard about the upcoming wipe and thought "Hell why no, the first basic levels are fun, I'll try it again". And - what shall I say, I really liked the changes they've made and was really surprised.
As said, the first levels are amazing fun, sure it has some problems with sometimes unfair conditions, especially at the start, but those are issues which can be solved. It's the first time I even cared about making a proper build to craft something average. So I've made a character who is capable in doing some simple crafting stuff (leather armor, hunting rifle etc), a little bit charisma (for brahmin and quests) a good enough stat at endurance and leveled. Invested some points in outdoorsman etc. And all I can say - it's fun!
I really like those new maps lexx did, I find them even better than some of the original. It's simply fun running through abandonend cities and searching for junk, encountering some assholes there, hide and seek etc - then making basic weapons etc. It feels much more like the old familiar fallout then in the times before.
Sure, it's nowhere as close to the old games, but they came nearer to it.
I like that leveling up takes so much longer, that the game encourages me to travel around, even if I don't find the stuff I'm looking for in 10 seconds. I like meeting people who don't shoot me on sight for no apparent reason in the middle of nowhere. I like the new map overhauls f.e in the hub, the little "noob" quests, as I said somewhere else I'm feeling much more like a "wasteland worker" etc.
And the main issue I've had before the wipe - overpowered gangs claiming that this is "their" Fallout. At some point before the wipe I gave up all the northern towns I liked so much playing FO2, for me they simply didn't exist anymore. These are no towns, they are simply battlegrounds. And there was the next issue - the ridicolous fighting. Yes, I know, some people are enjoying it having huge battles with hundreds of players everywhere, but when I saw a video of those fights, with this laser beams, rockets, plasma beams etc. flying around EVERYWHERE and then the players running around like lemmings I just had to laugh because this is so ridolous, it looked so damn out of place. Especially, I always thought we're playing this game as simple wastelanders, no chosen ones etc. Why do all the people then are running around with "high tier" equipment, easy craftable in a matter of time etc? As said, it just feels out of place.
And I know that this time will come again when all gangs have proper bases etc. again, maybe I'm quitting then again, waiting for the next wipe
. But for now, it's fun for me and I wouldn't change a thing, it's fine as it is.