Fallout 2: A Post Nuclear Role Playing Game

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In "Fallout 2: A Post Nuclear Role Playing Game", you are on a quest to find the Garden of Eden Creation Kit to save your village in a post-apocalyptic world. Your journey is filled with radiation, mutants, and deceit, requiring you to master your character's skills and traits for survival in this harsh wasteland. With numerous challenges and treachery along the way, the future of this world hangs in the balance.

Genres & Tags

Role Playing

Play Modes

Single-Player Play through the game's story or campaign solo

Reviews

94%

Audience ScoreBased on 7,573 reviews

story538 positive mentions

stability100 negative mentions

story
1,508 mentions
36 % positive mentions
60 % neutral mentions
4 % negative mentions
The story of Fallout 2 is often praised for its depth, humor, and engaging character interactions, building upon the foundation laid by its predecessor. While some players find the main quest less compelling than in Fallout 1, the game compensates with a wealth of side quests and branching narratives that allow for significant player choice and consequence. Overall, it is regarded as a classic RPG with a rich narrative that remains influential in the genre, despite some criticisms regarding pacing and bugs.
- “Must play if you're a Fallout fan; the story, atmosphere, and world-building with characters and design put Bethesda's Fallout to shame.”
- “The story is incredible, filled with dark humor and engaging quests that keep you invested in the world.”
- “Fallout 2 is a masterpiece in world-building and giving weight to the player's actions, with a story that feels real and offers potential for reflection.”
- “The story absolutely does not hold this game together.”
- “Coupled with very poor pacing, world building, a low stakes story - I'm devastated to say Fallout 2 does not live up to Fallout 1 which for me was a masterpiece.”
- “The main quest is dull, essentially just being 'go get the mcguffin or your home will be destroyed!' which means nothing when you spend all of 10 minutes in Arroyo and only can talk to like 4 people there.”
gameplay
696 mentions
27 % positive mentions
65 % neutral mentions
8 % negative mentions
The gameplay of Fallout 2 is often described as a significant improvement over its predecessor, Fallout 1, with enhanced mechanics, a larger world, and more engaging quests. However, many players note that the turn-based combat and overall mechanics feel dated and can be frustrating, especially for newcomers unfamiliar with older RPG systems. While the game offers deep role-playing elements and a rich narrative, it requires patience to navigate its complexities and may not appeal to those accustomed to modern gameplay styles.
- “The gameplay mechanics in Fallout 2 are complex and satisfying.”
- “The depth and complexity of the gameplay are what truly make Fallout 2 shine.”
- “Fallout 2 is a remarkable and immersive post-apocalyptic role-playing game that captivates players with its rich storytelling, expansive world, and intricate gameplay mechanics.”
- “The gameplay is dated.”
- “Gameplay is atrocious even for 1998, considering Diablo came out 2 years prior.”
- “The gameplay is clunky and the graphics can be downright painful.”
graphics
319 mentions
16 % positive mentions
69 % neutral mentions
16 % negative mentions
The graphics of Fallout 2 are widely regarded as dated, reflecting its 1998 release, with many players noting the simplistic 2D isometric visuals and clunky animations. While some find the retro aesthetic charming and fitting for the game's atmosphere, others struggle with the outdated graphics and user interface, which can detract from the experience. Despite these limitations, many reviewers emphasize that the engaging gameplay, rich storytelling, and immersive world more than compensate for the graphical shortcomings.
- “The blend of 1950s aesthetics with futuristic technology created a distinctive atmosphere that set Fallout 2 apart from other RPGs of its time.”
- “Fallout 2's graphics, while dated by modern standards, possess a certain retro charm that adds to the game's appeal.”
- “Considering its age, Fallout 2's graphics hold up surprisingly well.”
- “Graphics are definitely dated and turn-based combat isn't for everyone, but the hundreds of side quests and things you find along the way make this well worth your time.”
- “The graphics aren't great and the gameplay kind of sucks, but the writing really builds up the experience.”
- “The graphics are old, even for the time.”
humor
294 mentions
99 % positive mentions
0 % neutral mentions
1 % negative mentions
The humor in Fallout 2 is characterized by its dark, satirical tone, blending clever writing with absurdity and pop culture references. While some players appreciate the wacky and often juvenile humor, others feel it detracts from the game's serious themes, leading to mixed reactions. Overall, the game is praised for its memorable dialogue and the ability to find humor in grim situations, making it a unique experience in the RPG genre.
- “This game leans into the humor much more than other Fallout games, but it totally works.”
- “The game's depth, replayability, and dark humor kept me hooked for hours on end.”
- “It manages to be a really funny game without detracting from the story/atmosphere, which is really impressive.”
- “It has dated, horribly unfunny pop-culture references that have aged like milk left out on a summer sidewalk.”
- “The game is so goddamn unfunny; for some reason, the designers thought a billion references to pop culture in the 80s was a good substitute for the dark humor of the first game.”
atmosphere
162 mentions
49 % positive mentions
49 % neutral mentions
2 % negative mentions
The atmosphere of Fallout 2 is widely praised for its unique blend of dark humor and post-apocalyptic grit, although many reviewers feel it does not quite match the haunting intensity of its predecessor, Fallout 1. While the game expands on world-building and lore, some players find the increased pop culture references detract from the overall tone. Nevertheless, the immersive environments, engaging music, and rich storytelling contribute to a memorable atmosphere that resonates with fans of the series.
- “The music and atmosphere are exquisite, and the gameplay is fun and addicting.”
- “The blend of 1950s aesthetics with futuristic technology created a distinctive atmosphere that set Fallout 2 apart from other RPGs of its time.”
- “The atmosphere, writing, characters, companions, voice acting, gameplay, strategy, humor, are perfection, pure and simple, and it will leave you thinking about it for days after you beat it, I know I did.”
- “The entire game was permeated by a gloomy and hopeless atmosphere.”
- “I found Fallout 2 to be much weaker than its predecessor and many of the great things that were in Fallout 1, like its bleak atmosphere and harsh world, have been replaced by lame jokes and pop culture references.”
- “Fallout 1 had such a grimy, dark atmosphere that the tongue-in-cheek style of 2 was really jarring and didn't meet my expectations.”
music
130 mentions
40 % positive mentions
56 % neutral mentions
4 % negative mentions
The music in the game is widely praised for its atmospheric quality and ability to enhance the overall experience, with many reviewers highlighting the soundtrack as one of the best in the series. While some tracks are reused from the first game, they are noted to fit well within the context of the sequel, contributing to a haunting and immersive ambiance. Overall, the sound design, including both music and sound effects, is considered a standout feature that complements the game's narrative and setting effectively.
- “The music and atmosphere are exquisite, and the gameplay is fun and addicting.”
- “The soundtrack feels very fitting and sounds good regardless.”
- “The music in this game is fantastic and it always gives me the proper apocalyptic vibe.”
- “Also, the music and graphics may induce headaches because they gave me a splitting one.”
- “The music grows very tiring, and the visuals become a chore to look at due to lack of variation in color and tone.”
- “Music tracks don't play properly, leaving most areas of the game near-silent.”
stability
105 mentions
4 % positive mentions
1 % neutral mentions
95 % negative mentions
Overall, "Fallout 2" is widely regarded as a buggy experience, with numerous glitches, crashes, and quest-related issues frequently reported by players. While some users find enjoyment in the game despite its flaws, many recommend using mods, such as the Fallout Restoration Project, to mitigate these problems. Players are advised to save often to avoid losing progress due to the game's instability.
- “The game runs great on modern hardware.”
- “Just like the original, a very polished game with few to no glitches.”
- “Runs great on new systems, plays well, and has aged like fine wine.”
- “The vanilla game is somewhat buggy, and the cloud saves crash the game/corrupt saves for some reason.”
- “It's an old buggy piece of shit.”
- “The main problem(s) with this game are crashing, frame rate drop, and countless bugs/glitches.”
replayability
82 mentions
45 % positive mentions
51 % neutral mentions
4 % negative mentions
Fallout 2 is widely praised for its exceptional replayability, offering a vast array of choices, character builds, and branching storylines that ensure no two playthroughs are alike. Players appreciate the game's depth, humor, and the freedom to approach quests in various ways, contributing to its enduring appeal and high replay value. Many reviewers note that even after multiple completions, the game continues to provide fresh experiences and challenges, making it a classic in the RPG genre.
- “This game really does have infinite replay value due to the depth of the world, insane character customization which leads to all the different ways of solving quests, and actions having meaningful consequences.”
- “Fallout 2 has excellent replay value, with multiple endings, branching storylines, and a wide range of character build options.”
- “The sheer number of choices and the depth of the character progression system ensure a high level of replayability.”
- “It's not limited; you can do whatever you like, you have a great variety of options to choose from, and this makes replayability very high. There are numerous builds and other things you can do.”
- “The replayability value is quite high, too, since the way you build and role-play your character heavily influences the way you experience the adventure.”
grinding
80 mentions
4 % positive mentions
9 % neutral mentions
88 % negative mentions
The grinding aspect of the game is widely criticized for being excessively tedious and slow, with many players feeling that combat encounters drag on due to high enemy health and a lack of effective scaling. Players often report that the need for grinding detracts from the overall enjoyment, making exploration and combat feel like a chore rather than an engaging experience. While some appreciate the story and improvements over previous titles, the overwhelming sentiment is that the grinding mechanics significantly hinder the gameplay experience.
- “You'll need a second life for grinding.”
- “A bit grindy sometimes.”
- “Among other things, the inventory menu isn't tedious to use, you can now trade money in sums containing five figures, and you have much greater control over your companions' battle tactics/equipment.”
- “Grinding in the overworld is a must, which is becoming a chore as the combat is too slow at max speed.”
- “Main and story missions send you back and forth on week-long traipses across terrain that has the potential to be literally insurmountable from the first moment of the game to the last, as the first challenge isn't a quest you're given - it's the ability to overcome the artificial inflation of difficulty by forcing yourself through repeated tedious combat encounters in order to last more than 6 seconds in the wasteland.”
- “The game is stupidly, mind-bogglingly, grindingly difficult for no other reason than 'because fuck you!', it was created simply for those who thought Fallout 1 was not enough, but it was.”
emotional
27 mentions
93 % positive mentions
0 % neutral mentions
7 % negative mentions
The emotional aspect of the game elicits a mixed response from players, with some feeling a deep connection to characters and the world, while others find the narrative lacking in emotional weight compared to its predecessor. Many players appreciate the impactful choices and the ability to evoke a range of feelings, from laughter to heartbreak, though some criticize the story for being boring or not engaging enough. Overall, the game succeeds in creating a memorable emotional experience for those who invest in its characters and themes.
- “10/10 would cry again”
- “The reason Fallout 2 remains my second favorite game of all time (behind New Vegas) is that it manages to be a game that brings up ideological questions, gets you emotionally attached to characters, and has you make important choices with actual consequences.”
- “Finally, the story is very emotional if you take the time to delve into the characters and their stories.”
- “Boring story with no real reveals or emotion, unlike Fallout 1.”
- “Boring story.”
optimization
21 mentions
24 % positive mentions
62 % neutral mentions
14 % negative mentions
The optimization of the game has received mixed reviews, with some players experiencing significant performance issues, crashes, and stuttering, particularly on modern systems. While Fallout 2 is noted to run more stably than its predecessor, many recommend using unofficial patches for better performance. Overall, while some users report smooth gameplay, others highlight the need for optimization efforts and the presence of bugs, especially in the Bethesda version.
- “Fallout 2 offers a more stable performance than Fallout 1 in 2024, though I would still highly recommend seeking out the unofficial, cumulative fan patch that is easily available online through some searching.”
- “First off, the game runs smoothly on modern systems without any technical issues.”
- “They run smoothly on most computers and have very few issues.”
- “The game also has some nasty performance issues and crashing that come up, along with annoying NPC AI that blocks your path.”
- “Very poorly optimized.”
- “I must warn you, that at least on a modern PC and Windows 10, this title also has its fair share of bugs and performance issues.”
character development
20 mentions
35 % positive mentions
50 % neutral mentions
15 % negative mentions
Character development in Fallout 2 is highly praised for its depth and diversity, allowing players to customize their characters in various ways, both skill-wise and morally. Reviewers highlight the game's captivating storytelling and the freedom it offers in character progression, which enhances gameplay and replayability. Despite some minor limitations, the overall consensus is that Fallout 2 excels in providing a rich and engaging character development experience.
- “Amazing diversity in character development and skills that can be used to get you to the end.”
- “Countless possibilities for character development in any direction you like, both on a skill level and on a moral level.”
- “It has the perfect combination of character development and story with the usual dark humor.”
- “My only major complaint is that your character is of tribal origins, which limits some character development/backgrounds for the unimaginative (me).”
- “Allows a freedom of character development that later Fallout games lack.”
- “Gameplay is identical to the first with updated character development and skill trees.”
monetization
2 mentions
50 % positive mentions
-100 % neutral mentions
150 % negative mentions
Reviewers express a preference for games that prioritize narrative and storytelling over modern monetization strategies, such as microtransactions. They argue that a focus on depth and player choice leads to a more satisfying experience, contrasting it with the current trend of prioritizing photorealistic graphics and hidden monetization schemes.
- “It's got more depth, more choices, and fewer microtransactions.”
- “Back in the days, developers weren't focused on photorealistic graphics or concealed schemes for monetizing the game. Instead, they emphasized the narrative and the story, and that proved to be the best advertisement there could ever be.”
- “The game is riddled with microtransactions that feel exploitative and detract from the overall experience.”
- “It's frustrating to see a game that could be great overshadowed by aggressive monetization tactics.”