If you don't want the raw experience, the Viva New Vegas modlist does an amazing job of "vanilla plus". Haven't finished my latest playthrough, but nothing felt out of place, and it was less buggy than vanilla.
I've never liked fallout games but keep getting told to really give new Vegas a chance. Would you recommend this or any other mods for a first timer?
https://vivanewvegas.moddinglinked.com/ Viva New Vegas is a community curated list of mods providing a near-Vanilla, yet expanded and bug-free gameplay. There aren't any more recommended mods than what is on the list, anything beyond would be for your preference. It is SUPER important to follow the directions with scrutiny, mega mod lists are very fragile and finicky during the installation process.
Fallout 4 has one as well: https://themidnightride.moddinglinked.com/ (note: it is currently being revised for F4's next-gen update)
Fallout 3, of course: https://thebestoftimes.moddinglinked.com/
Now, if you're feeling particularly insane, you can actually splice Fallout 3 and Fallout: NV into what is known as The Tale of Two Wastelands. This essentially provides FNV's updated game engine and modding support for FO3. Good luck: https://taleoftwowastelands.com/viewforum.php@f=51
I’d reflexively say “Yes” to New Vegas but it depends on what Fallouts you’ve played, and what you don’t like about them.
FO1 & 2 offer ZERO hand holding and expect you to know how to play an RPG, but offers a very open approach to the world and plot
FO3 and 4 are great games that primarily struggle with permanence of your actions in the world - it’s pretty on rails between and during setpieces, no secondary plot to really get lost in
It's honestly not as good in 2024 but people do view this game with rose tinted nostalgia glasses above any other
Tbh I'd disagree. I played NV for the first time last year, and it was a great experience. It definitely shows its age a bit, especially needing to use the pipboy to swap to grenades. That being said, the architecture of the game is amazing. The map, story, and gamedesign is superb, and now that I'm playing fallout 4, I'm enjoying the new game aspects but I'm missing everything that's great about new vegas.
You can hotkey weapons, including grenades. They'll be the number row or d-pad, but it's a lot better than opening the pipboy every time.
I'm pretty sure you can equip grenades to the quick selection
I disagree. I'm not much of a Fallout fan, but I picked up New Vegas for the first time because of the show, installed the Viva New Vegas mods mentioned in another comment, and this game absolutely fucking rules.
It’s not as good now, and also in the past?
I remember playing this game in high school when it came out, and it was an amazing game at that time for that time. It had bugs, however the branching storylines and care put into that world is pretty evident when compared to fallout 3
It might be a bit aged but it's still the best 3d Fallout
