as opposed to...??????? what? turn-based bullstuff? and clicking to move? it doesn't get any more boring and repetitive than that
You're comparing two entirely different combat systems - Turn-based-combat and FPS combat.
Just compare the combat mechanics of Fallout 1/2 and Fallout 3 with a game that has the same mechanics.
Compare Fallout 3's FPS combat to other FPS games. It's obviously loving stuff.
Now compare Fallout 1&2's turn based combat to other games which have Turn-based-combat.
Hell Fallout 1 & 2 actually have pretty good Turn-based-combat and I'm saying that even
though I don't like it.
And don't pull the "It's an RPG so you can't compare it to regular FPS games"-card because games like Deus Ex
have pretty decent combat even though they're RPGs.