Fallout
- June 13, 2021
- Interplay Inc.
- 18h median play time
"Fallout: New Vegas Ultimate Edition" is a complete package of the popular post-apocalyptic RPG, including all add-on content: Dead Money, Honest Hearts, Old World Blues, and Lonesome Road. This edition also features additional unique weapons, ammo types, and recipes from Courier's Stash and Gun Runners Arsenal. Explore the expanded Mojave Wasteland, make new friends and enemies, and face the consequences of your actions in this immersive, narrative-driven experience.
Reviews
- story2,942 mentions
- 40 % positive mentions
- 58 % neutral mentions
- 3 % negative mentions
The story of Fallout 1 is widely praised for its depth, engaging narrative, and the moral complexities it presents, setting a strong foundation for the franchise. Players embark on a quest as a vault dweller tasked with finding a water chip to save their home, encountering a richly detailed post-apocalyptic world filled with memorable characters and branching quests that allow for multiple solutions and outcomes. Despite its dated mechanics and lack of modern conveniences like quest markers, the game's storytelling and atmosphere continue to resonate with players, making it a classic in the RPG genre.
“The story, atmosphere, and pacing are all fantastic.”
“The story is great, with well-written factions and a bittersweet ending.”
“The story, characters, and decision-making are amazing.”
“The main quest is basically just a short fetch quest with a time limit, restricting the amount of side content you can do.”
“The quests are sometimes confusing, but are always fun to complete.”
“The story is very well written and is worth several play-throughs.”
- gameplay1,469 mentions
- 28 % positive mentions
- 64 % neutral mentions
- 8 % negative mentions
The gameplay of Fallout 1 is characterized by its turn-based combat and isometric perspective, which can feel clunky and outdated compared to modern titles. Many players find the mechanics challenging to grasp initially, often requiring patience and external guides to fully understand the systems at play. However, once familiarized, the game offers a rich RPG experience with deep storytelling, character customization, and multiple ways to approach quests, making it a rewarding journey for those willing to invest the time.
“One of the most creative settings ever in a game, RPG mechanics hold up really well, worth playing for anyone who's a fan of the franchise or RPGs in general.”
“The gameplay is fun and the world and characters were interesting.”
“The gameplay is somewhat dated but when you figure it out it becomes really fun!”
“The story and world (oh, the world!) is good, don't get me wrong, but the actual gameplay portion is clunky and often exceedingly cryptic for no reason.”
“The gameplay is not the best but once you get to know it and figure it out it is very fun.”
“The gameplay is very dated and hard to understand.”
- graphics871 mentions
- 22 % positive mentions
- 63 % neutral mentions
- 15 % negative mentions
The graphics of Fallout 1, released in 1997, are widely regarded as dated and rudimentary by modern standards, featuring pixelated character models and environments that may not appeal to all players. However, many reviewers appreciate the game's unique retro aesthetic, which complements its dark, post-apocalyptic atmosphere and enhances the storytelling experience. While some players find the visuals charming and nostalgic, others struggle with the clunky interface and graphical glitches, suggesting that enjoyment of the game may depend on one's tolerance for older graphics.
“The aesthetic, the world, the writing, the soundtrack; this is how Fallout should look, sound, and play like.”
“I love the look of this game; I'm really not fond of pixel graphics in general, but this game is just gorgeous and captures my imagination so easily.”
“The graphics, even now, still hold up.”
“Even for a 20+ year old game, the graphics are very rudimentary.”
“Dated graphics and interface: as a game from the late 1990s, Fallout’s graphics are understandably dated, with pixelated character models and environments that may not appeal to modern players.”
“The graphics are dull and lifeless even for the time period it was made in.”
- atmosphere539 mentions
- 56 % positive mentions
- 43 % neutral mentions
- 1 % negative mentions
The atmosphere of Fallout 1 is widely praised as one of its strongest attributes, characterized by a bleak, post-apocalyptic world that immerses players in a sense of dread and survival. Reviewers highlight the game's haunting soundtrack, detailed environments, and rich world-building, which together create a unique and engaging experience that many feel has not been replicated in later entries of the series. Despite its dated graphics and gameplay mechanics, the game's atmosphere remains a compelling reason for both new and veteran players to explore its narrative and setting.
“The atmosphere in this game is unmatched and will never be replicated like it should be in current times.”
“The dark, gritty atmosphere is perfectly complemented by its 1950s-inspired retro-futuristic aesthetic, creating a unique and immersive environment that draws players in from the very start.”
“Fallout 1 perfectly depicts a terrifying atmosphere through its excellent soundtrack, story, and mechanics.”
“The game world feels incomplete and doesn’t immerse you in its atmosphere.”
“The atmosphere of this game is unmatched and will never be replicated like it should be in current times.”
“The atmosphere is depressing, the implications horrifying, and the story-building phenomenal.”
- music451 mentions
- 38 % positive mentions
- 60 % neutral mentions
- 2 % negative mentions
The music in Fallout is widely praised for its atmospheric and haunting qualities, effectively enhancing the game's bleak post-apocalyptic setting. Composed primarily by Mark Morgan, the soundtrack features a mix of eerie ambient tracks and a few iconic songs, such as "Maybe" by The Ink Spots, which resonate deeply with players and contribute to the game's immersive experience. While some players note the limited variety in the soundtrack, many agree that it perfectly captures the game's tone and adds significant emotional weight to the narrative.
“The aesthetic, the world, the writing, the soundtrack; this is how Fallout should look, sound, and play.”
“I love the soundtrack; it's so clever and dense—a total mishmash of industrial, atmospheric, and moody while still having a musical sound to it.”
“The music fits the atmosphere perfectly and oozes this dystopian feeling of dread and gloom.”
“The music and sound effects, while atmospheric, are also fairly basic by today’s standards.”
“A bit disappointed in the music, however, as there is only 1 licensed track that appears in the opening and closing cutscenes, and the in-game music has a very limited tracklist that loops over and over again.”
“The only downside is the overly creepy music that can make the whole experience more daunting than fun.”
- humor278 mentions
- 100 % positive mentions
- -1 % neutral mentions
- 1 % negative mentions
The humor in Fallout is characterized by its dark, witty, and often absurd nature, blending seamlessly with the game's post-apocalyptic setting. Players appreciate the clever dialogue, quirky characters, and unexpected comedic moments that provide levity amidst the grim narrative, making for a uniquely engaging experience. While some reviews note that the humor is more subdued compared to later entries in the series, it remains a defining feature that enhances the overall storytelling and atmosphere.
“It's a remnant of another, gentler era when games won our attention by humorous and deep storytelling, immersed us with artful gameplay - not GPU prowess.”
“The writing in 'Fallout' is exceptional, with witty dialogue, morally gray choices, and a darkly humorous tone that perfectly captures the spirit of the post-apocalyptic setting.”
“The dark humor and mature themes present throughout the game add depth and richness to the overall experience.”
“The humor in this game feels forced and lacks any real wit.”
“I found the jokes to be stale and unoriginal, making it hard to stay engaged.”
“The attempts at humor often fall flat, leaving me more confused than amused.”
- replayability156 mentions
- 38 % positive mentions
- 60 % neutral mentions
- 3 % negative mentions
The game is widely regarded as highly replayable due to its open-ended gameplay, diverse character builds, and multiple endings that allow players to experience different outcomes based on their choices. While some players note a decline in replay value after several playthroughs, many appreciate the variety of quests and unique dialogue options that enhance the overall experience. Overall, the combination of engaging storytelling and flexible gameplay mechanics contributes to its strong replayability.
“The open-ended gameplay allows for multiple playthroughs with different outcomes based on your choices, making it highly replayable.”
“The variety of quests and the ability to complete them in different ways add replayability to the game and make each playthrough unique.”
“With a variety of choices affecting outcomes, the game offers solid replay value.”
“My first playthrough was great, a lot of things to do and a great story made it very enjoyable; however, I'm not sure if the game has much replayability due to how the story leads you to one better ending than the others, unlike the newer games.”
“The replayability is almost non-existent; I finished it a dozen times, but after the third time it was almost boring. You could try to play with a few different builds, but that's it. There's not a lot of tasks or choices, which is a downside to it, but hey, it's 20+ years old; it was groundbreaking for the time.”
“It's a great game to play the first time, but after you play it a second time, you find that there's no replay value.”
- stability144 mentions
- 4 % positive mentions
- 1 % neutral mentions
- 94 % negative mentions
The game's stability is widely criticized, with many users reporting numerous bugs and glitches that can significantly impact gameplay. While some players find the experience enjoyable despite these issues, others describe it as a "buggy mess" that feels outdated and clunky by modern standards. Community patches are often recommended to alleviate some of the problems, but many still caution potential players about the game's unstable nature.
“No glitches or issues at the time of review.”
“Had no issues except companions standing in doorways; no bugs, no glitches.”
“Runs great on new and old hardware in fullscreen as well!”
“A buggy mess that feels clunky and awkward by modern standards.”
“It's brutal, annoying, and buggy.”
“The game is incomplete and buggy but has a great story.”
- grinding109 mentions
- 2 % positive mentions
- 18 % neutral mentions
- 80 % negative mentions
The grinding aspect of the game is widely criticized for being excessively tedious and time-consuming, often requiring players to invest significant hours to progress, particularly through combat and inventory management. Many reviewers noted that while the story and atmosphere are engaging, the outdated mechanics and slow-paced gameplay can make the experience feel frustrating and monotonous. Overall, players suggest that a considerable amount of grinding is necessary to fully enjoy the game, which may deter some from continuing.
“A bit grindy sometimes.”
“This is always fun and not tedious.”
“You'll need a second life for grinding.”
“The combat can be a bit tedious because of the time it can take for every NPC to take their turn.”
“This game is not good in that doing anything is incredibly tedious and making progress is mind-numbingly boring.”
- emotional44 mentions
- 100 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
The emotional aspect of the game is highlighted by players' deep connections to its narrative and characters, often leading to tears during pivotal moments, particularly the impactful endings. Many reviewers express a sense of nostalgia and immersion, noting how the game's dark themes and ethical dilemmas evoke strong feelings of joy, sadness, and reflection on their choices. Overall, the writing and atmosphere create a memorable emotional experience that resonates with both new and longtime fans of the franchise.
“The writing is perfect and the ending is so perfect that I cried.”
“It's dark and gritty and often hopeless feeling, which makes the tale of the vault dweller even more grandiose, dramatic, and heartbreaking.”
“The story was beautiful, well-paced, emotional, and just really satisfying.”
- character development39 mentions
- 31 % positive mentions
- 62 % neutral mentions
- 8 % negative mentions
Character development in the game is widely praised for its depth and complexity, featuring a robust system that allows for meaningful player choices and consequences. Players appreciate the memorable NPCs, nuanced motivations, and the impact of character traits on gameplay, which contribute to a rich storytelling experience. The combination of engaging narratives, well-designed characters, and replayability options solidifies its status as a standout RPG, influencing future titles in the genre.
“Set in a richly crafted post-apocalyptic world, it offers a unique blend of storytelling, character development, and strategic turn-based combat.”
“Character development is robust, with memorable NPCs and factions that have nuanced motivations and ideologies.”
“The story and dialogue are better than most games you would be able to find nowadays, and the options available for character development allow for gameplay that isn't feasible in today's first-person shooters.”
“Also, the enemy AI is a bit primitive (not that newer games are any better, actually...) and you'll also find that some character development options are obvious 'traps' that may make you restart the game.”
“Even though there may be less character development in Fallout than in later installments, it's worth exploring the humble beginnings of the factions and storylines that have been developed throughout the series.”
“However, returning to this game years later and leaving my nostalgia glasses on my bedside stand, I found this game to still be enjoyable, funny dialogue, rewarding gameplay, dynamic-ish character development (even if it is just gun hoping until you eventually find a laser weapon and start maxing energy weapons).”
- optimization31 mentions
- 26 % positive mentions
- 58 % neutral mentions
- 16 % negative mentions
The game's optimization is widely criticized, with many players experiencing significant performance issues such as stuttering, lag, and crashes, particularly on modern systems. While some users have found success with mods and patches to improve stability and performance, the overall consensus is that the game lacks proper optimization for contemporary hardware, detracting from the immersive experience. Despite these challenges, the rich worldbuilding and exceptional voice acting are often highlighted as redeeming qualities.
“There are of course things that could have been a little more optimized (but hey, Fallout Fixit or Fallout 1 et tu are there to get those fixes!), but all in all, masterfully well done worldbuilding, incredible music, out of this world immersion in certain occasions and superb writing.”
“Install Fallout et tu, which ports Fallout 1 into Fallout 2's engine, bringing performance and stability improvements along with countless bug fixes.”
“The franchise was never so successful and many would love getting to play the originals but optimized for modern systems and with modern graphics.”
“The game itself is badly optimized, and 1/3 of the content is missing or censored.”
“There's a slight problem with its optimization; the game often crashes mid-battle or mid-dialogue, and it can be annoying at times.”
“It took me a couple of days to tinker with the game's ini settings and NVIDIA controls to make it work without stuttering and mouse lag.”
- monetization5 mentions
- 60 % positive mentions
- -20 % neutral mentions
- 60 % negative mentions
The game is praised for its lack of microtransactions and paid mods, with players expressing relief that it avoids the monetization pitfalls seen in other titles like Fallout 76. Overall, the absence of these practices contributes positively to the game's reception.
“No microtransactions.”
“This game does not have paid mods or microtransactions.”
“It's great to see a game that avoids microtransactions.”
“Nah, forget it, let's keep doing Fallout 76 cash grabs and more online rubbish.”
“Fuck the sellout Bethesda, no microtransactions in this game for future updates, right?”
“Does not have paid mods/microtransactions.”