I enjoyed the writing, aesthetic design, and game mechanics of New Vegas far more than Fallout 3. New Vegas also just felt like a better sequel to Fallout 1&2... what with the inclusion of the NCR, the leftovers of Richardson's Enclave, and the Master's army. Add to that the fact that New Vegas actually retained a fair amount of challenge in the late game (seriously, my level 20 unarmored energy weapons specialist was was invincible at the end of Fallout 3. One-shotting deathclaws with a plain ol' plasma rifle is just unsatisfying).
I will admit that there were more interesting locations and back-stories in Fallout 3, though... but that's resulting from a departure from Fallout conventions as well. Urban/suburban areas leave you more to work with... where Fallout 1, 2 and New Vegas actually set you in a wasteland, Fallout Tactics and 3 set you in a destroyed city (well, sort of... the maps in 1, 2 and tactics are much, much larger than the new shooter games'). Which is why Fallout 3 feels more like a spinoff game, to me.
**edit** also, my first New Vegas character made it to the strip at level 7 without ever having gone further south than Primm. I managed to sneak past the deathclaws up north just fine... never had to run from anything... or fight anything either. It never occurred to me that the other way might be any easier.
I will admit that there were more interesting locations and back-stories in Fallout 3, though... but that's resulting from a departure from Fallout conventions as well. Urban/suburban areas leave you more to work with... where Fallout 1, 2 and New Vegas actually set you in a wasteland, Fallout Tactics and 3 set you in a destroyed city (well, sort of... the maps in 1, 2 and tactics are much, much larger than the new shooter games'). Which is why Fallout 3 feels more like a spinoff game, to me.
**edit** also, my first New Vegas character made it to the strip at level 7 without ever having gone further south than Primm. I managed to sneak past the deathclaws up north just fine... never had to run from anything... or fight anything either. It never occurred to me that the other way might be any easier.