A lot of people complain about the game having a definite backround for your character. I wonder if people realize...

Fallout: You play as the Vault Dweller.. who erm... Dwelled in Vault 13 since birth. You get sent out on a mission. Sounds linier

Fallout 2: You where born in a tribe/village formed by Vault Dweller. You are spiritually announced the Chosen One. Sounds Linier

Its spelt 'linear'. And even with the first few fallouts, you can decide what life your character had. With Fallout 3, you have your entire life played out for you, so its annoying for some to have the same background for every character they play. For the Vault Dweller and Chosen One, the presets each have a different backstory, and have their own reasons for leaving the vault/village. In fallout 3, you have the same father, same friends and can't choose how you grew up in the vault.

Fallout 3 is the only Fallout to give you your specific age. The only reason why you left Vault 101 and go on your journey is to find your father. The Brotherhood of Steel are portrayed as white knights and you will always be forced to help them and the Enclave are portrayed as the black hats and they will always be your enemy. You cannot change any of these things, they are forced upon you. I'd say Fallout 3 is much more linear then Fallout 1, 2 and especially New Vegas.

Note: I haven't played Tactics or the Burned Game so I can't comment on them.

Nazi? If you want to be like that, its is actually spelled "it's"


Back on topic
In my opinion they shouldn't give you a certain age, because, well who is a 19/20 year old with a huge beard, and on top of that looking as old as a grandfather? Though it does fit in with the story, you can make your person look older then your father.