History YMMV / FalloutVanBuren

** Post–''Fallout 3'' fans claim that at best ''Van Buren'' would had been a CultClassic, eventually forgotten by the masses or could have led to [[TheyChangedItNowItSucks fan outrage over the tiniest things or possible streamlining/changes of the mechanics]], with they claiming that old-school fans have put a never-released game on a pedestal without even playing it themselves just because the game looked good on paper.

** Certain elements of the game would be recycled in ''VideoGame/FalloutNewVegas'', like Hoover Dam (with the Chinese Stealth suit) being controlled by the NCR, Alice [=McLafferty=], Arcade Gannon, Joshua Graham, Caesar's Legion, the Big MT, New Canaan.

* HarsherInHindsight: New Plague bears uncanny similarities to COVID-19. It began in China and is a socially transmitted disease causing flu-like symptoms that led to a national quarantine. What's more, the player character unknowingly spreads the disease to every place they visit.

* HarsherInHindsight: New Plague bears uncanny similarities to COVID-19. It began in China and is a socially transmitted disease causing flu-like symptoms that led to a national quarantine. What's more, the player character unknowingly spreads the disease to every place they travel.

* HarsherInHindsight: New Plague bears uncanny similarities to COVID-19. It began in China and is a socially transmitted disease causing flu-like symptoms that led to a national quarantine. What's more, the player character unknowing spreads the disease to every place they travel.

* HarsherInHindsight: New Plague bears uncanny similarities to COVID-19. It began in China and is a socially transmitted disease causing flu-like symptoms that led to a national quarantine. What's more, the player character unknowing spread the disease to every place they travel.

* VindicatedByHistory: The game was cancelled in favour of a spin-off based on a proven formula, after the lackluster performance of CRPGs at that time, that disregarded most of everything that came before in favour of a noughties view of awesome. After poring over its extensive leaked dev documentation, the game has been lauded with nearly universal acclaim from the old-school fans of the original two games.

* VindicatedByHistory: After poring over its extensive leaked dev documentation, the game has been lauded with nearly universal acclaim from the old-school fans of the original two games.

* NightmareFuel: There was supposed to be this GhostTown called Burning Springs, a pre-war mining town that the NCR resettled to exploit the leftover coal. Unfortunately a Powder Ganger riot broke out and set fire to the coal under the town, turning the town into {{Mordor}}. That's not all! Some of the people in the town didn't die, they [[WasOnceAMan turned]] into mutants called [[https://fallout.fandom.com/wiki/Gehenna_(Van_Buren) Gehennas]], shambling humanoids covered in tar and oil and constantly on fire, who can spew toxic smoke. And then there were the [[https://fallout.fandom.com/wiki/Molech Molechs]] who were even more dangerous and barely humanoid.

** Certain elements of the game would be recycled in ''VideoGame/FalloutNewVegas'', like Hoover Dam (with the Chinese Stealth suit) being controlled by the NCR, Alice McLafferty, Arcade Gannon, Joshua Graham, Caesar's Legion, the Big MT, New Canaan.

* BrokenBase: One of the biggest between old school fans and post-Fallout 3 fans.
** Old School fans have used Van Buren as evidence of Bethesda's dubious treatment of the franchise due to their games (''Fallout 3'' and ''4'') not being as deep and engaging as the leaked documentation shows.
** Post-Fallout 3 fans claim that at best Van Buren would had been a CultClassic, eventually forgotten by the masses or could had led to [[TheyChangedItNowItSucks fan outrage over the tiniest things or possible streamlining/changes of the mechanics]], with they claiming that old school fans have put a never-released game on a pedestal without even playing it themselves just because the game looked good on paper.

** Old School fans have used Van Buren as evidence of Bethesda's shady/inrespectfull treatment of the franchise due to their games (''Fallout 3'' and ''4'') not being as deep and engaging as the leaked documentation shows.

** Old School fans have used Van Buren as evidence of Bethesda's shady/inrespectfull treatment of the franchise for not being as deep and engaging as the leaked documentation shows.
** Post-Fallout 3 fans claim that at best Van Buren would had been a CultClassic, eventually forgotten by the masses or could had led to [[TheyChangedItNowItSucks fan outrage for the tiniest things or possible streamlining of the mechanics]], with they claiming that old school fans have put a never-released game on a pedestal without even playing it themselves.

* BrokenBase: One of the biggests between old school fans and post-Fallout 3 fans.

* WhatCouldHaveBeen: It's because this game was cancelled that Creator/{{Bethesda}} got the rights and we ended up getting a ''VideoGame/Fallout3'' that was radically different from this one. [[RuleOfCautiousEditingJudgement Whether or not this is a good or bad thing is to be disputed.]]

* VindicatedByHistory: After pouring over its extensive leaked dev documentation, the game has been lauded with nearly universal acclaim from the old-school fans of the original two games.
** Not only that, but most of it is considered semi-canon, and included on the Fallout Wiki.
* WhatCouldHaveBeen: It's because this game was cancelled that [[Creator/{{Bethesda}} Bethesda]] got the rights and we ended up getting a VideoGame/Fallout3 that was radically different from this one. [[RuleOfCautiousEditingJudgement Whether or not this is a good or bad thing is to be disputed]].

* VindicatedByHistory: After pouring over its extensive leaked dev documentation, the game has been lauded with nearly universal acclaim from the old-school fans of the original two games. The reason why this is in the YMMV tab? Because after the overwhelming success of Fallout 3, old-school fans of the first two games are essentially TheRemnant when it comes to Fallout. A loud one, but still.

* WhatCouldHaveBeen: With Fallout 3 outselling both 1 and 2 combined, causing a resurgence in the series, it's hard to picture a scenario where Van Buren could have done similarly. A bullet was undeniably dodged.

* CompleteMonster: Victor Presper wanted to nuke the almost lifeless planet Earth AGAIN, just so he could get rid of everyone he doesn't like.

* VindicatedByHistory: After pouring over its extensive leaked dev documentation, the game has been lauded with nearly universal acclaim.
** Not only that, but most of it is considered semi-canon, and included on the Fallout Wiki.

* VindicatedByHistory: After pouring over its extensive leaked dev documentation, the game has been lauded with nearly universal acclaim.

* CompleteMonster: Victor Presper wanted to nuke the almost lifeless planet Earth AGAIN, just so he could get rid of everyone he doesn't like.