The game is definitely easy. I thought I would have a problem when I began a game with a character with STR 4 PER 7 END 4 CHA 9 INT 6 & LUC 7, with tags on energy weapons, science and speech. Whenever I leveled up I put points into Energy Weapons, Lockpick, Medicine, Repair, Science, Sneak & Speech. In other words, my character is anything but a grunt.
In the first, I was forced to get by with a mix of small guns (shooting out all the ammo I had). I even used a minigun when I ran out of shotgun shells and bullets for my 10mm and my Chinese Assault Rifle.
Eventually I found my first laser pistol, but lack of ammunition was a problem.
Now I have covered about 20% of the map. I have 1200 microfusion cells, 2150 energy cells, 190 stimpacks, 8900 bottle caps. I have bought every expensive item available in Megaton & Rivet City. Note that my Barter is just 35 and I never placed a single point in it. I am approaching level 15...
My Plasma Rifle kills most things in 1 shot, except for master super mutant that take like 4 shots. I usually run around with 25% hp, more isn't needed to survive. I haven't even bothered getting better armor and if it wasn't for the "strong back" perk, I would have been better off with 1 in Endurance.