While not as good as Fallout 3, fans of that game will still enjoy this one.
The story is really secondary to all of the other gameplay. There are quite a few different directions you can take the story in. Although none of them are super satisfying. It is almost a game I didn't even want to finish because it forces you in a certain direction if you pass a certain point in the story. It no longer just goes by your Karma like in Fallout 3. I enjoyed Fallout 3 story and just the overall game more than this one. This really felt like a huge expansion. a 50+ hour expansion mind you.
The land in Fallout New Vegas somehow felt smaller than in Fallout 3. Also besides seeing the city there were really no other cool parts to this world like in Fallout 3. Also while there are alot more missions in this game I feel that most serve really no purpose. There are also no giant mutants like in the last game something i didn't like. The main new thing added in this game is the ability to make different factions either like you or hate you or somewhere in between. You can now add weapon mods to your guns and recruit companions to fight alongside you. Both while a good addition nothing that really effects the gameplay all that drastically. Oh and you have the ability to gamble now
But my main complaint is the same as with Fallout 3, why put a level cap on a game this big. I reached level 30 with plenty of more missions to complete. I know they don't do this to make the game more difficult because it has a very easy option. If your not going to give me an epic story at least let me fully realize the potential of my character. I like the way these games level up better than Oblivion but at least I was always making my character more powerful in that game where as I get halfway through the Fallout games and my character is maxed out. Hopefully they will increase the level cap through downloadable content. If they don't I will not be downloading anything because I won't see a point.
Overall a good effort but the weakest of the Bethesda games I have played on the 360. I would recommend it to Fallout 3 fans. To others looking to play an open world game that lasts for basically as long as you want it to I would say play Fallout 3 or Oblivion they are better and cheaper.