I believe the new vats system has crazy potential and I'm super excited for what players might be able to do. I personally loved the addition of the different attack animations for unarmed combat in New Vegas and think there will be a lot more for the player this time around especially when there are now these amazing attack animations for Dogmeat. With the slow motion version of vats I could see players being able to see a Behemoth taking a swing at them and using a vats option to duck or roll in an attempt to dodge the strike and then having quequed up an attack after the dodge for a counter attack bonus. I think the modding community will definitely have fun with the new vats and may be able to make some type of Kung Fu action move type vats sequences/animations. And from seeing the dog wrestle down enemies and holding them in place I wonder if anyone will decide to add in some type of advanced tackle, arm drag or judo toss if not some complex grappling/wrestling. Also with the new effects to limbs I could see the player being able to rip off an enemy's limbs with their bare hands or leg kick an enemy until one of the legs is broken/crippled or completely off. It would also be amazing if someone in the modding community brought back a jinxed type trait/perk through an advanced targeting system too. I personally thought that trait was hilarious and if someone added eye pokes (which could have a chance to blind an enemy, in turn giving the enemy a chance to harm themselves) and wrist locks (which could by chance cause enemies to shoot themselves), I would finally be able to roleplay as The Master of Aikido, Steven Seagal.

I've never really been an unarmed fan, but I am excited that our mobster/gangster characters can target knee caps with baseball bats and the like!

Actually, what IS 'unarmed' in Fallout and how is it important? I have never (by choice) chosen to go without a melee weapon in my hand.

Therefore, how is "unarmed" compared to melee weapon combat supposed to matter?

Unarmed is(was?) actually a very viable combat method in fallout. You can use brass knucks, spiked knucks, and high tech weapons like power fists.

So that's it? Sounds pretty limited, actually.

Not only is this why I was not interested in it during Fallout 3, it's also why I remain uninterested!

I'm hoping for a larger variety of unarmed moves to use in and outside of VATS, the ones in New Vegas were pretty fun to use, especially the leg sweep.

Well it was basically the same mechanic as melee: pull trigger, swing fist. There were a few perks for unarmed, one of which allowed you to do a paralyzing attack, and New Vegas has special moves you could learn. Wasn't too bad, but like you it didn't really interest me either. Yes! It would be cool if unarmed made you into a whirlwind of fists and feet!

Unless I've missed a new tidbit, I don't think VATS has been expanded to include dodging and counter-strikes.

Yup the unarmed animations/VATS support is for the pit-fighting you can participate in ;D