I've never played a game with anything close to the scale of the universe in this game, or with space flight mechanics this successful. Super attentive and caring devs have put so much time and love into this game, it shows with every update. Lots of playstyles as well - combat is there but avoidable, building is surprisingly good for how varied landscapes are, and crafting and selling items is very lucrative. The dialogue is abstract but I love it, lots of introspection and feeds into that feeling of absolute isolation. It could do with some more planet types, but even with the limited amount, each planet feels a little bit special and like a new opportunity to find some treasures

keep in mind before reading this that I am a new vegas worshipper and absolutely hate this soulless, cheap direction. now that's over...
bought it the day it was released on steam because wastelanders gave me hope. it was the point for me where I just crave more fallout content and will take whatever comes, but it ended up being much more than just something for me to enjoy just for "oh, mothman. that's cool" value.
this game has a ridiculously kind MMO community to meet my jadedness. some people decide to roleplay, some just like goofing around, and some are the wonderfully kind lvl 300 players who will help you with anything. something about this element of good people playing a highly controversial game makes it much easier to love. the best random encounters exist with players.
I'm very much with you all for complaining about a game being released before it was ready, but reflecting on the parts of this review I wrote over a year ago now, rushed game releases are only getting worse. the microtransactions got way less scummy. thank you to the Bethesda devs who continue to attempt and add updates that make it a much more fleshed out game.
the wastelanders update feels so ingrained in what it is now that it's hard for me to imagine what it would have been like without it. these NPCs add so much more life to this game, and the Steel Dawn update adds even more. I manage to still hold out hope for this, maybe I am a Fallout cocksucker.
yeah, the bugs can be really shite. but they're FUNNY. funnies :)
ultimately, I think it's a game that pays out in exploration. but end-game content isn't strong. there is more coming I'm sure, but the game is its best for the first 30-50 or so levels.

why this is so much better than the first one:
- you will not want to gouge your eyes out after every line of dialogue
- choices actually matter (even little tiny things, relationships are very important to the ending), tangible sacrifices are made
- not nearly as predictable
- it just... looks better (mouth mapping still sucks though)
- script is SO MUCH BETTER, characters actually make sense and talk like human beings, voice acting is really good
- characters were much easier to empathize with while having flaws, threats in the story much more tangible than time travel being able to fix every possible issue
- lovely relationships, family/love/friendships all feel very real
- the aspect of moving all over the place brought lots of new environments, beautiful scenes in nature

my main gripe:
- most villains very one-sided, face value (except Lisbeth and her group were more interesting)

if this is propaganda what is COD doing with reagan's penis in their mouth?