The Fallout series has captivated gamers for over two decades, blending post-apocalyptic scenarios with deep storytelling, complex characters, and immersive open worlds. The franchise is renowned for its dark humor, retro-futuristic style, and branching narratives, allowing players to shape the world around them. Whether you’re new to the series or a seasoned Vault Dweller, this guide will help you navigate the Fallout games in chronological order.
A Brief Overview of the Fallout Franchise
Before diving into the specific games, it’s essential to understand the broader themes of Fallout. The series is set in an alternate timeline where nuclear technology advanced rapidly, leading to a world dominated by atomic energy. After a devastating nuclear war known as “The Great War” in 2077, the remnants of humanity struggle to survive in a wasteland filled with mutated creatures, rogue AI, and power-hungry factions.
Now, let’s walk through each Fallout game in order of release, exploring their unique contributions to the franchise and the story they tell about the post-apocalyptic world.
1. Fallout (1997)
The original Fallout is where it all began. Developed by Interplay Productions, this isometric, turn-based role-playing game (RPG) introduced players to a bleak world of nuclear devastation. Set in Southern California, the game takes place in the year 2161, 84 years after the bombs fell.
Key Features:
- Story: Players assume the role of a Vault Dweller tasked with finding a water chip to save Vault 13.
- Gameplay: The SPECIAL system (Strength, Perception, Endurance, Charisma, Intelligence, Agility, and Luck) was introduced, allowing players to create custom characters.
- Critical Acclaim: The game’s open-ended gameplay, moral choices, and multiple endings made it a standout in the RPG genre.
2. Fallout 2 (1998)
Fallout 2 took everything great about the first game and expanded on it. Released just one year after the original, the sequel is set 80 years later in 2241. The protagonist, known as the Chosen One, is a descendant of the original Vault Dweller.
Key Features:
- Larger World: Set in the same region as Fallout, the map was expanded, with more towns, quests, and factions to interact with.
- Tone and Humor: The game leaned heavily into the dark humor that became a trademark of the series.
- Story Continuity: The events of Fallout 2 are directly tied to the original, with multiple callbacks and returning characters.
3. Fallout Tactics: Brotherhood of Steel (2001)
Moving away from the traditional RPG format, Fallout Tactics focused more on strategy. Developed by Micro Forté and 14 Degrees East, the game centers around the Brotherhood of Steel, one of the prominent factions in the Fallout universe.
Key Features:
- Combat Focus: While there were still RPG elements, the game leaned more toward tactical squad-based combat.
- Setting: The game takes place in the Midwest, a new region for the series.
- Mixed Reception: While the game’s mechanics were solid, some fans missed the deep role-playing aspects of the previous titles.
4. Fallout: Brotherhood of Steel (2004)
This entry is often forgotten by many fans, as it was quite a departure from the original series. Developed by Interplay, Fallout: Brotherhood of Steel was an action-RPG released exclusively on consoles.
Key Features:
- Hack-and-Slash Gameplay: The game was a top-down action RPG, a stark contrast to the turn-based, story-driven games that preceded it.
- Reception: It was widely criticized for its shallow gameplay, and many fans don’t consider it a core entry in the series.
5. Fallout 3 (2008)
After nearly a decade, the franchise was revived by Bethesda Game Studios. Fallout 3 brought the series into the modern gaming era, transitioning to a first-person perspective while maintaining the deep role-playing elements of its predecessors. Set in the year 2277, players assume the role of a character known as the Lone Wanderer from Vault 101, located in the ruins of Washington, D.C.
Key Features:
- First-Person Exploration: For the first time, the Fallout world could be explored in first-person, adding a more immersive feel.
- Open World: The Capital Wasteland was vast and filled with quests, NPCs, and locations to discover.
- V.A.T.S. System: A nod to the turn-based combat of the original games, the Vault-Tec Assisted Targeting System (V.A.T.S.) allowed players to slow down time and target specific body parts.
- Story: The narrative revolves around finding the protagonist’s father and uncovering the mysteries of Project Purity.
6. Fallout: New Vegas (2010)
Developed by Obsidian Entertainment, Fallout: New Vegas is considered by many fans to be the pinnacle of the series. While using the same engine as Fallout 3, the game introduced a more refined role-playing experience and deeper faction dynamics. Set in 2281, the game takes place in the Mojave Desert and the city of New Vegas.
Key Features:
- Multiple Factions: The game introduced several key factions, including the New California Republic, Caesar’s Legion, and Mr. House, each vying for control of New Vegas.
- Expanded Choices: The choices you made significantly impacted the world and how different factions reacted to you.
- Hardcore Mode: For players seeking a challenge, this mode required attention to hunger, thirst, and sleep.
7. Fallout 4 (2015)
Fallout 4 brought the series to the next generation of consoles with a new level of graphical fidelity and a more streamlined approach to gameplay. Set in 2287, ten years after the events of Fallout 3, the game takes place in the Commonwealth (the Boston area). The protagonist, known as the Sole Survivor, emerges from Vault 111 to search for their kidnapped child.
Key Features:
- Settlement Building: One of the most significant additions was the ability to build and manage settlements, adding a layer of strategy to the game.
- Weapon Customization: The crafting system allowed for extensive weapon and armor modifications.
- Companions: Fallout 4 introduced a deeper companion system, with each character having unique personalities, storylines, and abilities.
- Main Story: The game’s main narrative focused on the Institute, a shadowy organization, and the moral dilemmas surrounding synthetic humans.
8. Fallout Shelter (2015)
Not a traditional Fallout game, Fallout Shelter is a mobile simulation game where players manage their own vault. It was developed by Bethesda Game Studios and was initially released for iOS and Android, later coming to other platforms.
Key Features:
- Vault Management: Players must build and expand their vault, managing resources, dwellers, and defending against threats.
- Addictive Gameplay: While simpler than other Fallout titles, its addictive nature kept players coming back for more.
9. Fallout 76 (2018)
Fallout 76 was the first multiplayer-focused entry in the series, developed by Bethesda Game Studios. Set in 2102, it’s the earliest game in the Fallout timeline, taking place just 25 years after the bombs fell. Players emerge from Vault 76 in the Appalachian region (West Virginia) to rebuild society.
Key Features:
- Multiplayer: Players could team up with others or explore the wasteland solo in a shared world.
- Always Online: Unlike previous games, Fallout 76 required a constant internet connection.
- No NPCs at Launch: The game was criticized for its lack of human NPCs at launch, although later updates addressed this issue.
- Updates: The game has evolved significantly since its release, with updates like Wastelanders and Steel Dawn adding new storylines, NPCs, and content.
10. Fallout 5 (TBA)
Although not yet officially announced, Fallout 5 is highly anticipated by fans of the series. Bethesda has confirmed that the game will be developed after the release of The Elder Scrolls VI, meaning it might still be several years away.
Speculation:
- Potential Locations: Fans have speculated about new locations for the game, including areas like New York, Chicago, or even international settings.
- Improved Graphics and Mechanics: With the advancements in gaming technology, Fallout 5 will likely feature even more immersive graphics, larger worlds, and refined gameplay mechanics.
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The Evolution of Fallout
The Fallout series has come a long way since its humble beginnings in 1997. From the top-down, turn-based RPG of the original to the sprawling open-world adventures of Fallout 4 and the multiplayer experiment of Fallout 76, the franchise has continuously evolved while staying true to its core themes. Whether you’re a fan of tactical combat, deep role-playing, or expansive exploration, there’s a Fallout game for every kind of player.