I use first person for combat and when I'm picking up junk and other items, for the rest is third person.

I play almost exclusively in 3rd, mainly because I need peripheral vision. In 1st I feel like I'm in a tunnel and can never find my enemies. I find that I spend far more time in 3rd in Fallout than in any other game though. I don't even need 1st person except when examining things close up.

First person only.

3rd takes the realism out of it. =S

And playing as if your wearing blinders is realistic? I can see to 180 degrees to either side of me in real life, why do I have to play like I'm looking through a tube? That's not realistic either.

Besides, it's a game, what's real about it?

Fight in First; Explore in Third for situational awareness.

I am not my characters, regardless of what view they're in.

So, I go for best gameplay. In the case of Beth games, that means that I play entirely in first person (third has always seemed awkward). I use third for seeing how my character looks, and taking screenshots.

Good for you. I can't play in 1st person. Just can't do it.

For me, Alien Isolation is a perfect example of that. Forced 1st person all the way and it drives me nuts. I can't even play it.

3rd for wandering, 1st for combat, looting and interiors...same way I played Skyrim. Oblivion was 1st all the way because I didn't care seeing my potato person running around.

Most of the time in 3rd person, only reverting to 1st person when I need to accurately shoot something, or a companion is crowding in while I'm trying to shoot...

I enjoy third person in this game more than any previous Beth game. They really made the combat good. Unfortunately navigation is still an issue and I run the risk of falling to my death so have to go back to first person often

its the concept silly. the very same concept to why graphics are better and movies have better plots.