Bearing in mind I haven't looked at any of the stuff for F3, I don't really understand all the hostility about it. I mean, it's not even out yet. Playing devil's advocate with the criticisms I've heard for a moment...
*** ENGAGE DEVIL'S ADVOCATE MODE ***
Yes, how dare Bethesda play to their strengths? Clearly they should be completely disregarding everything they do well- only by trying to improve on a dated but tried-and-true formula completly different to their previous works will they produce a worthwhile result.
Oh, but wait. Of course it will suck... after all, the great thing about Fallout was it's combination of grit and zany humour. Everyone knows Bethesda's games never contain humour or grit.
*** DEVIL'S ADVOCATE MODE DISENGAGED ***
I dunno. Taking on someone else's series is never easy. It's not going to be exactly the same, but it can produce a worthwhile product. Look at Thief 3. Surely the poor bastards deserve a chance?
Well, first off, what they do well is completely different from Fallout, which is why people thought they shouldn't have purchased the license in the first place and why I'm still befuddled as to why they did now that I see the game in action. If they'd make 'Generic Post Apocalyptic Oblivinlike FPS' then it would have been just as successful with the hordes of Oblivion fans that don't know a thing about Fallout and couldn't care less, and it wouldn't have pissed off the Fallout fans. The game is not a true Fallout game, there's no question about that.
Grit and humor are not the most important things about Fallout. They're just two important things about it. One of which is generic to all Post Apocalyptic worlds anyway. Things that really made Fallout good were things like the called shots, (which are dumbed down in F3) The choices with consequences, (which Bethesda has never done, and the gameplay videos show that their abortive attempts at them are quite idiotic) and the multiple solutions to quests that were often non-violent, (which Bethesda has never done and still hasn't shown any examples of.), and the atmosphere as a whole, (Which has been totally canned.) Finally, they've completely disregarded the lore of the gameworld to an extent equaling or even exceeding the massacre they did on Oblivion. Also, the AI, animation, ability to rip the armor off any character and wear it yourself (even though now you can totally dismember characters) and voice actors are still the same terrible crap from Oblivion.
It's strange that you mention that they shouldn't try the tried and true method when in fact, by making the game Oblivion 2 they are doing just that.
Also, yes, Bethesda's recent games don't include grit or humor. They contain senseless violence and stupidity.
Seriously, just watch the videos they make a much stronger arguement than I ever could.