The Fallout games for PlayStation 3 and Xbox 360 are considered classics, but which is better: Fallout 3 or Fallout: New Vegas? We tested them both to see how they compare. In short, Fallout 3 is for gamers who like to leisurely explore vast virtual worlds, while New Vegas offers a more story-driven experience.

Like the other games in the series, Fallout 3 and Fallout: New Vegas combine the best elements of the RPG and FPS genres. Both games have top-notch graphics, complemented by engaging stories and quests. From a mechanical standpoint, there is no doubt that Fallout: New Vegas has better gameplay than Fallout 3, but the world of Fallout 3 is more interesting to explore.

Fallout 3 has the edge when it comes to world design. The Mojave in Fallout: New Vegas is generally boring to explore, and the city of New Vegas is also disappointing. In contrast, Fallout 3's setting offers varied terrain with plenty of sights to explore.

Another problem with the Fallout: New Vegas world is that if you don’t take the correct path, you’ll quickly be slaughtered by enemies more powerful than you. For example, if you take the wrong path out of Goodsprings, you’ll be destroyed by giant radscorpions or deathclaws. Even if you do take the correct path, you’re often unprepared for what the rest of the wasteland has in store for you. In Fallout 3, you can take any path you want and explore everywhere from the start.