Savage Lands are "In"

All the new games lately have savages and savage lands:

• Gears of War 3
• Rage

That puts Borderlands and Fallout ahead of the curve...

Which are you playing?
Does anybody else think Borderlands > Rage?

I like Rage, kinda, but every interaction feels VERY fetch quest:
You know Ken. I'd love to give you a car but it needs parts. Go to such and such town. You know Ken. I had these parts to give you, and wouldn't even make you do a quest for them, but the savages took them back to their savage land. You're gonna have to go ahead and get those parts.

I realize Borderlands is the same way, but I think it feels more open? More to explore, more choices about what to do and where to go next...