Like is the gameplay really just supposed to be back pedaling while shooting? The combat seems so fake and jarring to me bc everyone just runs around shooting soaking up bullets. I don't have a dodge or block (while using ranged) so enemies running right up to me seems wrong. As if there is something else I should be doing.

You can hide behind cover, and so can your opponents. (with ranged weapons) Some of the bad guys are just idiots, and bring knives, or pool cues, to a gun fight...... Ghouls are famous for the 'bum rush'.... and are good at it. Or, you can just walk in with guns blazing.... depending on your armor......

You could drop some mines or throw grenades too, or even drop a Salisbury Steak as you back peddle which may trip up the oncoming enemy so you get the advantage. I like to use stealth and snipe though mostly.

Basically yes...if you want to maximize your chances of success, running as fast as you can from where you came and waiting for the opponent to come after you one at a time is the most efficient strategy in 100% of all combats.

You are also most likely to get killed by a grenade/nuke, which enemies have 100% accuracy with, this won't happen if you aren't standing still. It does make combat appear more like you are a headless chicken running around in circles, but this is basically the same mechanic as every other fps game ever made...

I'm trying to understand the problem but I don't get it.

Depending on how you're playing and how good your aim is, possibly. Personally I'm more of a sniper build. I don't do much backpedaling. I generally move to a strategic position, take out a couple guys, scope out a new strategic position and move to it, then take out a couple more guys, and so on. Obviously there are going to be situations where it's unavoidable, but I've never felt that I was spending 'all' of my time backpedaling or anything like that. In either case, I'm not really seeing what the issue is here.

See the problem is when a suicider super mutant is running directly for you back peddling is not quite fast enough. This is where the strategy of mashing every button on the controller while screaming frantically at your screen works. I will say that since learning that there is a bit of a cover system that at least works around corners it definitely changed my play style.

I don't think I have ever back pedaled in this game.

Of course, I choose my battles and don't let the game choose them for me. I try to avoid attacking deathclaws with just a .32 cal. pipe pistol when I am level 6. I have a penchant for using the terrain to my advantage.

You're not the only one.

I tend to start with a long range weapon (my sniper rifle). As they get closer, switch to a semi-automatic handgun (I use VATS a lot so I prefer them to automatic weapons) and when they're close, switch over to a shotgun and backtrack while bursting shells at the enemy's head.

Kinda. I don't back pedal if a enemy get close I usually melee or pull out a shotgun. The only enemy I back pedal on was the Murlurk Queen.

No! You have to drop him without setting him off. It's a mini game.

I never use VATS and about the only thing I back away from are bugs and ghouls. With both of them a slow backing away will string em' out into a line. Shoot into that line.

If they are all running at you, and you are back-peddling, you will usually be at a walking pace..... try Sprinting backwards, or, turn round and Sprint away. It helps if you have a fairly good Athletics. Also, have an idea in your mind where you are going to retreat to. Another defensive position would be best, and then duck down. Note that Sprinting eats up VATS allowance, even if you are not in VATS..... once used up, you just continue at a slower breathless run.

I think stealth/guns is the best combo. Also if you play the "harder" difficulties enemies tend to soak up bullets.

Never underestimate good mine placement. I'm pretty much a stealth/sniper guy and try to choose my battles. Obviously, that's not always possible. But I've killed a couple death claws and a mutant beomoth early on by dropping a couple lunchbox mines near an old vehicle, shoot them in the head in vats (which pissed them off), they chase, I sprint, they hit the mines (with the vehicle explosion) and are wiped out. I've found that back-peddling isn't fast enough for tough battles, really only effective for mobs of molerats and such, which can be fun using a combat shotgun.

Stealth/sniper here as well........

...... qnd don't forget to zig-zag, Fitch3k.... you're harder to hit.

I mean, sure, sometimes I've backpedaled (super mutant suicider, on an open road, at low level, with weak guns ..... actually, that was more "turn around and sprint away" than backpedaling). There's also moving sideways to some cover, running forward to some different cover, moving a bit back so you're around a corner/in a choke point..... i.e, using the terrain to your advantage. Not sure if you consider all of those to be "backpedaling".

And as others have mentioned, that's when I'm not stealth/sniping (and then moving to a new position to deal with the extras).

Here's a thought on ghouls - they're charging at you? Shoot out their legs.

As the game progresses you apply the perks to whatever game style suits you best.

When you are weak running away can be wise. When you get tougher you have other options.

I like to charge the opponents, so I run up to them.

Others like to sneak and snipe.

Some like to "Kill them all" with heavy guns.

Each to their own.

It takes some time but it's fun for me to take on a Deathclaw with a combat knife.

Example of hand to hand combat in Fallout 4 here.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YSTongo69Yw

At higher levels the foes are tougher and can take some wearing down , especially when you play at the two hardest settings because the damage is modified to even things up, otherwise it can be too easy.

I had one rush me that I killed with the alien blaster probably half a step away from him exploding he turned into a cloud of ash that blew right over me. It was quite awesome. I wish I had recorded it.