Fallout, the new postapocalyptic series on Amazon Prime Video, originated as a video game series more than 20 years ago. Although it may seem overwhelming at first, this doesn't have to be. The good news is that there are a tonne of options available to you if you recently binge-watched all eight episodes or are just interested in learning more about the genre-defining role-playing series. There is a Fallout game for everyone, regardless of whether they are die-hard fans who have already played the newest titles or not.
Fallout is an open-world role-playing game created by Bethesda, the same company that created Starfield and Skyrim. In 2008, Bethesda brought back to life a long-dormant franchise with Fallout 3, the first game in the series including first-person perspective and real-time action. Fallout 3's portrayal of an irradiated Washington, D.C., however a divergence from its original premise, was an instant hit. The sequel, Fallout 4, which added more Bethesda DNA to the mix, is currently the best-selling game overall. There's no surprise there: the postapocalyptic gaming genre was popular when the new games were released. Combining that with an enhanced variant of Skyrim's "radiant quests," which offer the player an infinite stream of randomly generated, was practically destined to print money.
Fallout has managed to hold onto certain distinctive features throughout. Fallout is fundamentally a series about what it means to be an American, picket fences and a government controlled by corporations notwithstanding. Spoilers alert: Because the series is critical of these institutions, the games depict a world in which the government puts protecting itself first and peasants are forced to participate in inhumane experiments that they are unaware of. Though Fallout has always added fantasy elements—such as millionaires who live within computers and wandering bands of bloodthirsty grandmas—to the mix, the serious issues are never overly heavy.
Taking all of that into consideration, this is the game we suggest you play next.
For the newbies: Fallout 4
Hold on, I'll explain. Fallout 4 is not the best Fallout game. Nonetheless, Fallout 4 is the most accessible game overall because it is the most up to date title in the series. You can most likely play Fallout 4 on whatever system you own. Regardless of the system you own—console or PC—you can most likely play Fallout 4 on it. Here, even VR aficionados may join in on the fun.
Additionally, since creator Bethesda has revealed more patches to the ten-year-old game that would improve its performance on current systems and even introduce totally new content, now is a wonderful moment to dive in. The best part is that, considering the hundreds of hours of fun they offer, you can purchase a "game of the year" version of Fallout 4 for an absurdly low price. This edition includes many DLC.
The plot of Fallout 4 is similar to the show's, although it is told in reverse: As a vault occupant, you venture out into the wasteland to find your son. Ella Purnell's performance isn't for you to appreciate, but your child is only sort of involved in the event. You'll probably spend a lot of time exploring the commonwealth's ruins and getting to know a variety of oddballs and struggling individuals. You get to choose what you wish to specialise in and create a character from the ground up. Perhaps you're more of a scientist who can use tactful conversation to get out of sticky situations, or maybe you want to be a hacker who can get into anything.
Fallout 4 is a great starting point because Bethesda simplified the overall experience and made it easier to obtain and play than the previous games. In contrast to previous Fallout games, shooting is meant to be enjoyable, so you don't have to spend a lot of time combing through dialogue options. Fallout 4 offers a base-building mechanic that allows you to design the post-apocalyptic metropolis of your dreams, replete with friendly locals, if shooting isn't your thing. Did I mention that you can run about with a dog in Fallout 4? This dog can assist you in battle and can occasionally bring you goodies without your asking?
For veterans: Fallout 2
You're prepared to dive into classic Fallout if you've played and appreciated the newer Fallout games. The older Fallout titles are third-person, tactics-based computer role-playing games as opposed to the more recent titles. Make sure you're already invested in the wider world because you'll be spending a lot of time conversing with individuals and learning lore. Fallout 2 requires patience to play, even if you can't get it to run at all on more modern PCs.
In Fallout 2, you take on the role of a descendent of a vault dweller who is currently experiencing a water shortage in their camp. In contrast to more recent games, where you can neglect the main plot entirely in favour of side missions, Fallout 2 keeps track of your progress. The villagers perish if you don't obtain the water chip needed to save them. Fallout 2 is also more difficult than more recent games, often for blatantly unfair reasons: hit percentages and limited resources are your friends. Fallout 2 feels and looks antiquated, which is the icing on the cake.
However, compared to titles like Fallout 4, Fallout 2 offers a more comprehensive experience. You pick up important lore, such as the reality of how the world ended. The people you encounter are more nuanced and you won't find yourself skimming their conversations. Compared to the more recent games, Fallout 2's tone isn't quite as absurd. While in games like Fallout 4, you can blast your way out of any situation, in Fallout 2, character development and past decisions are much more significant, making problem-solving more fulfilling. All things considered, Fallout 2 offers gamers the impression that the creators respect the intelligence of their audience. Certain tasks and items won't have markers; instead, you must genuinely retain what individuals say.
If you don’t play games at all: Fallout Shelter
Mainline entries might not be to everyone's taste because gaming systems can be pricey and role-playing games like Fallout need a lot of time. Thankfully, there is a totally free smartphone version of Fallout available to play. You oversee a vault there that you are free to design however you see fit. Every resident can play a part in the community as a whole, and you can teach them to go on excursions outside of the vault. Occasionally, the vault will be hit by an unforeseen surprise; it is your responsibility to ensure the happiness of your residents.
Compared to previous Fallout games, Fallout Shelter offers a far more relaxed experience with very little in the way of plot or conversation. For those who want to spend more time in the Fallout universe without having to dedicate a lot of time or worry about lore, this is an excellent option.
For the theater kids: Fallout 76
In the multiplayer role-playing game Fallout 76, other players occupy the majority of the world. While exploring and cleaning out dungeons can take up a lot of your time, remember that you are the true star of the show. You are only as good as your creation in Fallout 76. Here, Bethesda gives users every resource they need to establish a civilization. Base building reappears, but it's been improved to provide players with an overwhelming amount of visual choices.
As a result, players can now take the series to previously uncharted territory in the game. Here, even outdated concepts are given new life. Meeting an AI Brotherhood of Steel in the main games, where they are constrained by pre-existing code, is one thing; coming across a militant group of players who want to control other players is quite another. I've witnessed everything from vicious players who spend all of their time creating traps and labyrinths to torture others, to packs of cannibals that will devour you if you die. You can also devise your own malfunctioning vault experiment to observe the behaviour of real people in such scenario. Best of all, the 2018 game Fallout 76 still receives content update.
For the RPG junkies: Fallout New Vegas
Generally speaking, Bethesda's Fallout games have compromised to focus more on action while adding a dash of role-playing to add some spice. Frequently, you're given an option that appears to provide everyone involved a choice, but in reality, it leads to the same result for everyone. Additionally, you should often aim to shoot more rather than think.
However, Fallout initially attracted fans by offering rich experiences where decisions and character development count. Fallout New Vegas, which was created by Obsidian and developers that worked on the original games, is the most faithful current game to the original concept. You take on the role of a shot courier who is presumed dead in it. It goes without saying that you need to find out who attempted to kill you in the first place and retrieve the package. This entire scene is set in the wasteland of the Mojave, where a gaming strip is the subject of conflict between many groups. This is, by far, the most intriguing setting that Fallout has ever used.
Because most players didn't spec their characters the way you did, you have more freedom to construct extremely specialised characters with unique powers that lead to interesting side quests that other players might miss. Other Fallout games don't provide players the same sense of recognition as New Vegas does since it takes the "role-playing" part of the genre seriously. Because the other factions are now your mortal enemies, you can even join one and embark on a number of exclusive quests that you wouldn't be able to do otherwise. Veteran Fallout players believe New Vegas to be the best game in the series for a reason.