Fallout 2: A Post Nuclear Role Playing Game
- August 19, 2009
- Black Isle Studios
- 44h median play time
Get on SteamIn "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.
PC
Windows
Reviews
- story3,016 mentions
- 36 % positive mentions
- 60 % neutral mentions
- 4 % negative mentions
The story of Fallout 2 is generally praised for its depth, humor, and engaging character interactions, with many players appreciating the branching narratives and the freedom to approach quests in various ways. While some critiques highlight that the main storyline may not be as compelling as that of the first game, the extensive side quests and rich world-building contribute to a memorable experience. Overall, the game is recognized for its intricate storytelling and the impact of player choices on the narrative, making it a standout title in the Fallout series.
“Must play if you're a Fallout fan; the story, atmosphere, and all-around world-building with characters and world design puts Bethesda's Fallout to shame.”
“The story is captivating and really well-paced.”
“The story, setting, and characters are all masterfully crafted, and the gameplay will have you taking notes on quests so you don't forget the details.”
“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 story 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.”
- gameplay1,392 mentions
- 27 % positive mentions
- 65 % neutral mentions
- 8 % negative mentions
The gameplay of Fallout 2 is a blend of turn-based mechanics and RPG elements that, while improved from its predecessor, remains dated and can be challenging for new players. Many reviews highlight the steep learning curve, clunky interface, and slow combat, which may frustrate those accustomed to modern gaming standards. However, once players acclimate to its mechanics, they often find the rich storytelling, character development, and expansive world to be rewarding, making it a classic RPG experience despite its flaws.
“Absolutely amazing CRPG, improved gameplay from its predecessor and overall one of the best RPG games out there.”
“The fascinating gameplay mechanics, the harsh combat, and the excellent writing make Fallout 2 one of the masterpieces of video game history.”
“The depth and complexity of the gameplay are what truly make Fallout 2 shine.”
“Gameplay is atrocious even for 1998, considering Diablo came out 2 years prior.”
“The gameplay though, it's awful. I can't express how awful the gameplay is, encounters happen way too much in my opinion and half the time with the encounters you deal with the slowest moving enemies ever.”
“Yes, unfortunately the gameplay is so bad in this game it really sinks the whole experience, even for a game from 1998.”
- graphics638 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 isometric 2D visuals and clunky animations. While some appreciate the retro charm and atmospheric design, others find the graphics challenging to engage with, especially compared to modern standards. Despite these limitations, many reviewers emphasize that the game's rich storytelling and gameplay more than compensate for its visual shortcomings, making it a classic worth experiencing.
“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 gameplay is clunky and the graphics can be downright painful.”
“The graphics are plain awful as well.”
- humor588 mentions
- 99 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 1 % negative mentions
The humor in Fallout 2 is characterized by its dark, satirical, and often juvenile tone, blending clever writing with absurdity and pop culture references. While some players appreciate the game's wacky humor and its ability to tackle serious themes with levity, others find it overdone or less impactful compared to its predecessor, Fallout 1. Overall, the game is praised for its memorable dialogue and the way it integrates humor into its storytelling, 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 1,000,000,000 references to pop culture in the 80s was a good substitute for the dark humor of the first game.”
- atmosphere324 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 some appreciate the game's vibrant world and engaging soundtrack, others criticize the reliance on pop culture references that detract from the overall tone. Overall, Fallout 2 is recognized for its immersive environment and rich lore, making it a compelling experience despite its tonal shifts.
“The music and atmosphere are exquisite, and the gameplay is fun and addicting.”
“The atmosphere, colorful writing, humor, grit, the whole world created by Black Isle and Interplay is like none other.”
“The atmosphere is amazing, and the possibilities of the game world are endless.”
“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.”
- music260 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 effects, is considered a standout feature that complements the game's narrative and setting.
“The music and atmosphere are exquisite, and the gameplay is fun and addicting.”
“The soundtrack feels very fitting and sounds good regardless.”
“The writing and music work together to create memorable locations and characters.”
“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.”
- stability210 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 issues that can hinder gameplay. Many players recommend using mods, such as the Fallout Restoration Project, to address these problems, as the vanilla version is often described as a "buggy mess." While the game offers engaging content and a rich world, players are advised to save frequently to mitigate the impact of its instability.
“Just like the original, a very polished game with few to no glitches.”
“Runs great on new systems, plays well, and aged like fine wine.”
“Classic, mostly bug-free experience.”
“The vanilla game is somewhat buggy, and the cloud saves crash the game/corrupt saves for some reason.”
“The main problem(s) with this game are crashing, frame rate drop, and countless bugs/glitches.”
“It's an old buggy piece of shit.”
- replayability164 mentions
- 45 % positive mentions
- 53 % neutral mentions
- 2 % 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 nearly infinite replay value. Despite some criticisms regarding the ending, the overall consensus is that the game remains engaging and rewarding even after multiple completions.
“The sheer amount of content and choices available ensures that no two playthroughs are the same, offering immense replayability.”
“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 is the real deal when it comes to roleplaying, and its open-ended nature makes it far more replayable than the average game of the genre.”
“Very replayable in many aspects except the very ending of the story, which ties your hands and forces you down very similar paths.”
“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.”
“Crazy how a game that's nearly 20 years old has more content and replayability than our AAA titles today, but it has to be seen to be believed.”
- grinding160 mentions
- 2 % positive mentions
- 11 % neutral mentions
- 88 % negative mentions
The grinding aspect of the game has been widely criticized for being excessively tedious and time-consuming, with many players noting that combat encounters are slow and drawn out, often requiring significant grinding to progress. Reviewers frequently mention the overwhelming number of random encounters and the inflated difficulty that necessitates grinding for levels and equipment, leading to a frustrating gameplay experience. While some appreciate the story and improvements over previous titles, the overall sentiment is that the grinding detracts significantly from enjoyment, making the game feel like a chore.
“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.”
“I really want to like it, but playing this game through was one of the most tedious, arduous, tiring, and mood-ruining experiences I've ever had with a video game.”
- emotional54 mentions
- 93 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 7 % negative mentions
The emotional aspect of Fallout 2 receives mixed reviews, with some players finding it less impactful than its predecessor, Fallout 1, due to a lack of focus and emotional weight in the story. However, many appreciate the game's ability to evoke a range of feelings through its character-driven narratives, impactful choices, and darkly humorous dialogue, leading to moments of laughter, sadness, and moral reflection. Overall, while not universally moving, the game offers significant emotional depth for those willing to engage with its characters and themes.
“10/10 would cry again”
“Where do I even start: the graphics, used sparingly but effectively; the music, ominously absent; the story, heart-wrenching and I yet couldn't look away; the open world, some of the best and most subtle world building in gaming history.”
“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.”
“Boring story with no real reveals or emotion, unlike Fallout 1.”
- optimization42 mentions
- 24 % positive mentions
- 62 % neutral mentions
- 14 % negative mentions
The game's optimization 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 smoothly than its predecessor, many recommend using unofficial patches for better stability. Overall, while some users report a smooth experience, others highlight the need for optimization efforts to fully enjoy the game without technical disruptions.
“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 development40 mentions
- 35 % positive mentions
- 57 % neutral mentions
- 8 % negative mentions
Character development in Fallout 2 is highly praised for its depth and diversity, offering players countless options for customization in both skills and moral choices. Reviewers highlight the game's captivating storytelling and engaging gameplay, noting that the character development system allows for a unique and personalized experience that is often lacking in modern titles. Despite some minor limitations, the overall consensus is that Fallout 2 excels in providing a rich character development experience that enhances replay value and player engagement.
“Character development and customization are key elements in Fallout 2.”
“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).”
“Gameplay is identical to the first with updated character development and skill trees.”
“Allows a freedom of character development that later Fallout games lack.”
- monetization4 mentions
- 0 % positive mentions
- 50 % neutral mentions
- 50 % negative mentions
Reviewers express nostalgia for a time when game developers prioritized narrative and gameplay over monetization strategies, highlighting that games with rich stories and fewer microtransactions provided a more engaging experience. The current trend of focusing on photorealistic graphics and hidden monetization schemes is seen as detrimental to the overall quality and depth of games.
“Back in the days, developers weren't focused on photorealistic graphics or concealed schemes of making the game monetized; instead, they put emphasis on the narrative and the story, and oh boy, that proved to be the best advertisement there could ever be.”
“It's got more depth, more choices, and fewer microtransactions.”
