It's all relative too. Even if FO4 is a decent game, I don't think many would argue against the idea that it is objectively less good than the earlier Fallout titles. Just like Skyrim was better than Oblivion. Just like Starfield was not up to par with any earlier Bethesda release, despite the ambition.

It doesn't mean any of them are bad games, but the relative pattern / trajectory of Bethesda is plain to see.

I agree.

The gunplay was better, the graphics were better, and the animations. Downsides? Voiced protag, bugs (as per usual) weak main story (and a lot of sidequests were weak as well), and factions sucked so much.