@Mr. Stickball

I do enjoy the exploration aspect so I agree "Exploration FTW", it is just that so far I am seeing way too much grey. It is turning me away. I also wasn't getting lost because I couldn't find a giant sign or anything, it is just that when I went to the map in PIP and checked the location I would mark it and then still end up in dead ends or going around in circles until I found it, which by the way, when I found it I was locked out.

I haven't played any Fallout games before this so I can't comment on F2, even Oblivion was my first Elder Scrolls game.

I do admit though, it is pretty cool when I have someone running straight at me and I pull off a headshot and watch in slow motion as their head comes off their shoulders and rolls around on the ground.

To answer your final question, I feel asleep a little after going into Megaton for the first time.

I know I need to give the game some more time and I intend to do so, I was just giving my impressions thus far. When people hear nothing but praise about a game and not really any negatives like I am doing here you kind of get sucked into what could become a bad purchase.

Reviews make this sound almost like a game for anyone when in reality it is far from it. Not to say that for some this game could be like the second coming.

Black - Yes, I agree the SQ's aren't too bad in ME, but compared to Fallout 3...They're pretty bad.

*I* really liked the ME sidequests, but Fallout 3 made me realize you can have a big main quest, and great side quests too. There were memorably sidequests in ME - but they almost entirely revolved around quests that originated inside the main worlds, and not the smaller quests...Such as the Armstrong Cluster missions.

The Lunar base was very cool, but when comparing FO3's sidequests which are awesome to ME...It's not a great comparison. Sidequests in FO3 have great writing that work very well vs. hit and miss ones in ME.

I felt exactly the same way after two nights with this game. I had even decided to trade it in. But then I gave it one last chance and was that an amazingly good decision. Now it's one of my favourite games ever. Give it some time you will love it.

Euphoria,

Like Oblivion, you can see little triangles in the compass when in-game that will point you to new hotspots...Once you get in the DC Metro area, things can get confusing, but Fast Travel helps sort things out.

@euphoria, yeah later on in the game around level 18 I think you can get a talent to wear that armor.

I like the laser mini-gun though, it's much better than the regular minigun. Rips everything apart. As for VATS and gun talent, put points into agility to increase vats and accuracy, luck for critical hits.
This game rules in the combat department. There's nothing like watching some zombies running towards some stairs to get to you when you lop a head off with the bolt action rifle.
I also like the laser rifle which incinerates enemies.

 I know about the triangles, that is what I get when I mark a location on the map. I still manage to get lost though.

Fast Travel was a blessing in Oblivion.

Thing is I feel as though this game may end up the way Oblivion did, all sidequests and no main story for me. I enjoy that so much more. I just want to see a little more color. I like to look at everything when I explore.

@tuoyo

I had the same exact experience with Oblivion. I hated it, I even made my thoughts known as I am doing now. Later on I went and tried it again and got involved in Dark Brotherhood quests, etc... next thing I know my save file reads 140+ hours. Main story though, I went to no further than Kvatch. This game will most likely be the same.

If I end up getting that same enjoyment from the exploration though I will feel much better.

By the way, anyone else start the game like this?

S - 4 (Now at 5 after leaving Vault)
P - 4
E - 4
C- 1
I - 9
A - 9
L - 9

Perks in Science, Lockpicking and Small Guns.

I swear, damn near critical hit every time and thanks to my high luck and perks my Lockpicking is around 30-35 at game start and Science at 40+. So I have no problems hacking computers or picking locks, thus allowing me to explore to my hearts content.

Fast travel was great since my horse that I got from the dark Brotherhood got lost and never came back so I couldn't move to quick when being chased by 15 guards for murdering the begger for stalking me... >_>

kind of dull looking... like a giant nuke went off and destroyed the whole place no?

 Indeed. When was the last time the dirt outside your house was gray, yet still growing grass?