Well, yes! I think that it's very important for people who call that game "Fallout" to be quickly crucified.
The only acceptable titles for that game are "Fallout 3" and "Bethesda's Post Apocalyptic Shooter Bonanza."
New Vegas redeems all. If you still object, you'll be personally crucified by Caesar.
Anyway, Bethesda goes through odd cycles when it comes to writing.
For instance despite Oblivion looking generic I was looking forward to it because of Bloodmoon's quest design and plot. I assumed it'd have that sort of depth and fun despite a bland art style. I was wrong.
Shivering Isles was overall fun story and art wise.
Fallout 3, designed by the person who did the best quests in Oblivion, was still bland. Which suggests some nasty top-down tinkering by the producers. (considering things holding some Morrowind quests back like the "no betrayal in TES" rule that pissed off its lead writer...)
It pretty much seems that the "money maker" game has the most meddling, followed by letting the team do their job with expansions.
Anyway, if the regular Bethesda producers were completely hands-off and let the team do its thing (like New Vegas, they let Obsidian make the game they wanted), this could be good.