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Fallout 3

Fallout 3 is an outstanding title that sets a new standard for action role-playing games, and will appeal to fans of either genre.
Fallout 3 Game Cover
84%Game Brain Score
Most mentioned positive aspects:story, gameplay
Most mentioned negative aspects:stability, optimization
80% User Score Based on 54,277 reviews
Critic Score 91%Based on 7 reviews

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Fallout 3 Game Cover

About Fallout 3

Fallout 3 is a single player open world role playing shooter game with horror, post-apocalyptic and science fiction themes. It was developed by Bethesda Game Studios and was released on December 16, 2009. It received very positive reviews from critics and mostly positive reviews from players.

Prepare for the Future with Fallout 3: Game of the Year Edition, experience the most acclaimed game of 2008 like never before. Create a character of your choosing and descend into an awe-inspiring, post-apocalyptic world where every minute is a fight for survival.

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Games Like Fallout 3

Looking for games like Fallout 3? Here are top open world role playing shooter recommendations with a horror, post-apocalyptic and science fiction focus, selected from player-similarity data — start with Fallout 4, Fallout: New Vegas or The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim.

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Reviews

80%Audience ScoreBased on 54,277 reviews
story3.7k positive mentions
stability1.8k negative mentions

  • story

    9,837 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
    37% positive mentions, 56% neutral mentions, 7% negative mentions

    The story of Fallout 3 is often described as engaging yet linear, focusing on the protagonist's quest to find their father in a post-apocalyptic Washington D.C. While the main storyline is considered short and somewhat predictable, many players find the side quests and environmental storytelling to be the game's true highlights, offering rich lore and memorable characters. The game is praised for its immersive atmosphere and the freedom it provides players to explore and create their own narratives, though it is frequently criticized for its lack of meaningful choices and depth compared to its predecessor, Fallout: New Vegas. Overall, Fallout 3 is seen as a classic RPG that combines a compelling story with extensive exploration and side content.

    • “Fallout 3 is a landmark entry in the Fallout series, revolutionizing the post-apocalyptic RPG genre with its immersive open world, rich storytelling, and deep role-playing elements.”
    • “The main quest, along with numerous side quests and faction storylines, is well-written and filled with moral choices, branching paths, and memorable characters.”
    • “The story is engaging and filled with memorable characters and moral choices that have a real impact on the game's outcome.”
    • “The main story is the weakest point of Fallout 3.”
    • “The story is just lazy and boring at times.”
    • “The main quest is pretty weak, so most of the charm in missions comes from the sidequests.”

  • gameplay

    3,186 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
    34% positive mentions, 60% neutral mentions, 6% negative mentions

    The gameplay of Fallout 3 is characterized by a blend of first-person shooter mechanics and traditional RPG elements, allowing for a unique and engaging experience. While many players appreciate the vast open world, immersive atmosphere, and the innovative V.A.T.S. targeting system, criticisms often focus on the dated mechanics, clunky combat, and frequent bugs that can disrupt gameplay. Overall, despite its flaws, the game offers extensive hours of exploration and character customization, making it a nostalgic favorite for many fans of the series.

    • “The gameplay mechanics strike a balance between role-playing and action, allowing you to tailor your character's skills, attributes, and playstyle.”
    • “The gameplay is immersive and gives you several ways to do the things you want, the way you want as well as AI that are intelligent as well as helpful during your adventure.”
    • “The gameplay is fantastic and the music fits in well within the game's environment.”
    • “The gameplay is underwhelming.”
    • “The gameplay is incredibly awful but somehow super fun.”
    • “The main story is pretty stupid and hypocritical, the characters are lacking much needed depth, and the gameplay is nothing to write home about.”

  • graphics

    2,359 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
    26% positive mentions, 64% neutral mentions, 10% negative mentions

    The graphics of Fallout 3 are widely regarded as dated, reflecting its 2008 release, with many players noting a significant decline in visual quality compared to modern standards. While some appreciate the game's unique aesthetic and atmospheric design, others find the visuals lacking, often requiring mods to enhance the experience. Despite these shortcomings, the game's storytelling and gameplay continue to resonate with fans, making it a beloved classic despite its graphical limitations.

    • “The graphics may not be up to modern standards, but they hold up pretty well.”
    • “The graphics and high-resolution texture maps still hold up, despite the game's age, and are still pleasing to the eye.”
    • “Despite some technical issues and aging graphics, the game's depth, atmosphere, and storytelling continue to stand out as some of the best in the genre.”
    • “The aging game engine and textures may not hold up against more recent titles, potentially affecting immersion for players accustomed to newer visuals.”
    • “The graphics are dated.”
    • “The graphics hurt of course but I easily got used to them.”

  • stability

    1,861 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
    4% positive mentions, 1% neutral mentions, 95% negative mentions

    The stability of Fallout 3 is widely criticized, with players reporting frequent crashes, freezes, and various bugs that significantly hinder gameplay. Many users note that the game requires extensive troubleshooting and modifications to run smoothly, especially on modern systems like Windows 10. Despite these issues, some players still find enjoyment in the game, often attributing the bugs to the classic Bethesda experience, and recommend using mods or community patches to improve stability.

    • “It's not buggy, it runs fine.”
    • “I have been playing for 10+ hours with no freezes whatsoever.”
    • “Runs great on Windows 10.”
    • “It often freezes and crashes without a reason, sadly, and you have to download a file online to get the game running.”
    • “This game is extremely buggy and borderline unplayable, even by Bethesda standards.”
    • “The game is buggy as all hell and crashes frequently on Windows 10.”

  • optimization

    1,265 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
    12% positive mentions, 38% neutral mentions, 50% negative mentions

    The optimization of Fallout 3 is widely criticized, with many players reporting significant issues when attempting to run the game on modern systems, particularly Windows 7 and later. While some users have managed to get the game running smoothly through extensive tweaking and the use of mods, the general consensus is that the game is poorly optimized out of the box, leading to frequent crashes, stuttering, and other performance problems. Overall, players recommend caution and suggest that potential buyers be prepared for a challenging setup process to achieve a playable experience.

    • “The only aspect it surpasses New Vegas in is optimization and running more stably on my computer.”
    • “Idk why people are giving negative reviews because of crashing, saying it can't be played on modern PC/system out of the box without modding, because I've been playing for the past 5 days on my Windows 10, AMD Ryzen 5 5600X, RTX3070, and it runs smoothly, never crashes, played for 4-6 hours at a time.”
    • “With a few mods and tweaks for optimization on newer OS, you are good to go to have an amazing experience.”
    • “Sadly, the game is poorly optimized for modern computers.”
    • “This game isn't optimized for modern computers, and a broken game that needs third-party mods to even have a chance at running (if the mods even work) should not be sold.”
    • “The game is not optimized for windows 10 and onward, which normally is fixed by one patch, but this game requires dozens of patches and tweaks just to get running at a stable framerate, and this goes for every time you want to install the game.”

  • atmosphere

    1,241 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
    56% positive mentions, 42% neutral mentions, 2% negative mentions

    The atmosphere of "Fallout 3" is widely praised for its immersive and haunting depiction of a post-apocalyptic world, characterized by a sense of desolation and dread. Players appreciate the game's distinctive art style, atmospheric sound design, and a soundtrack that enhances the overall experience, making exploration feel both engaging and eerie. While some critiques mention technical issues and repetitive environments, the game's ability to evoke a strong emotional response through its atmosphere remains a standout feature, often regarded as one of the best in the Fallout series.

    • “Atmospheric world-building: the game’s atmosphere is enhanced by its distinctive art style, immersive sound design, and hauntingly memorable soundtrack.”
    • “The atmosphere is haunting yet beautiful, with a soundtrack that perfectly complements the game's setting.”
    • “From the moment you step out of vault 101 and into the vast wasteland, you are captivated by the immersive atmosphere and rich lore of the Fallout universe.”
    • “Atmosphere is depressing, story sucks, dlc sucks, definitely not a good entry into the fallout series, do not play this game i can't believe people recommended playing this before new vegas.”
    • “But the atmosphere is dead full of dread seeing a dead America, with the remnants of a futurized 1950's.”
    • “The atmosphere played in pure vanilla is relatively stale, and mods will help breathe some more life back into Fallout 3.”

  • music

    874 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
    41% positive mentions, 58% neutral mentions, 1% negative mentions

    The music in "Fallout 3" is widely praised for its atmospheric and nostalgic qualities, featuring a mix of classic 1940s and 1950s tracks that enhance the game's post-apocalyptic setting. Players appreciate the engaging in-game radio, particularly Galaxy News Radio, which adds a unique charm despite some complaints about repetitive playlists and occasional audio bugs. Overall, the soundtrack is considered one of the game's standout features, contributing significantly to the immersive experience.

    • “The soundtrack of 'Fallout 3,' particularly the in-game radio music, perfectly sets the mood for a world that is both shattered and hopeful.”
    • “With its rich lore, atmospheric soundtrack, and robust role-playing mechanics, 'Fallout 3' delivers an unforgettable journey through a world ravaged by nuclear devastation.”
    • “The atmosphere is haunting yet beautiful, with a soundtrack that perfectly complements the game's setting.”
    • “A formerly known bug, 'only music, no other gameplay sounds' manifests very frequently.”
    • “I did have an issue with sound on both machines--occasionally, everything but the music track would drop out, and I'd have to restart the game to get it back (sometimes two or three times).”
    • “Music stutter and constant crashes.”

  • humor

    553 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
    100% positive mentions, -1% neutral mentions, 1% negative mentions

    The humor in Fallout 3 is characterized by a blend of dark, sarcastic wit and absurdity, often highlighted through engaging dialogue, quirky NPCs, and comical gameplay moments, such as the infamous "bloody mess" perk. While some players feel it lacks the depth of humor found in earlier titles like Fallout 1 and 2, many appreciate its unique take on post-apocalyptic chaos, with memorable encounters and a mix of humor and horror that keeps the experience entertaining. Overall, the game successfully maintains a sense of humor that resonates with fans, despite some criticisms regarding its execution and writing quality.

    • “It's got the perfect mix of dark humor, post-apocalyptic chaos, and RPG goodness.”
    • “The dialogue options with NPCs are funny, and depending on what your stats and perks are, you might get new options.”
    • “Tell me it's not hilarious watching several super mutants' heads get splattered in slow motion.”
    • “The humor in the game feels insignificant and often relies on glitches that aren't funny.”
    • “The jokes fall flat and the humor often feels forced, making it hard to enjoy.”
    • “The attempts at humor are overshadowed by awkward moments that just don't land.”

  • replayability

    485 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
    48% positive mentions, 51% neutral mentions, 1% negative mentions

    Fallout 3 is widely praised for its exceptional replayability, attributed to its expansive open world, diverse quest paths, and the impact of player choices on the narrative. Many players highlight the game's potential for countless hours of exploration and enjoyment, especially when enhanced by a robust modding community that adds even more content and variety. While some critiques mention limitations in the main storyline's replay value, the overall consensus is that the game offers near-infinite replayability, making it a timeless classic in the RPG genre.

    • “It has a massive open world with thousands of secrets to discover, tons of lore to piece together, many great side quests, and perhaps a thousand hours of replay value.”
    • “The sheer scale of 'Fallout 3: Game of the Year Edition,' combined with its branching narrative paths, multiple endings, and extensive side quests, ensures a high level of replayability.”
    • “The ability to make choices and face consequences adds depth and replayability to the game, allowing players to have unique experiences and explore different paths.”
    • “There's only 1 ending for the game, 2 if you're being generous, so there's really no replay value as far as the main quest is concerned.”
    • “This one was awesome but replayable value is poor.”
    • “The game does have some replay value, but for me personally, not enough to go for a second run.”

  • emotional

    146 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
    96% positive mentions, 0% neutral mentions, 4% negative mentions

    The emotional aspect of Fallout 3 is widely praised for its deeply engaging narrative, moral dilemmas, and memorable characters, often evoking strong feelings of nostalgia, sadness, and connection. Players report experiencing significant emotional investment, particularly through the protagonist's relationship with their father and the game's poignant moments, which can lead to tears and heartfelt reflections. Despite some criticisms regarding gameplay and character design, the emotional depth and impactful storytelling resonate strongly with many players, making it a cherished experience.

    • “The emotional depth of Fallout 3 is some of the best you will ever encounter in a game.”
    • “I experienced something with this game that I have never had in any other, an honest care about the game world; my surrogate quickly became who I aspired to be, and when the end credits finally rolled, I cried.”
    • “The game excels in delivering an emotionally charged narrative, filled with moral dilemmas, memorable characters, and unexpected twists.”
    • “Boring dialogue, boring environments, boring story.”
    • “Boring story coupled with boring characters, boring world and boring gameplay.”
    • “Boring story and gameplay, not much variety in the weapons that you can have, characters are boring, not many RPG mechanics like a wide variety in game endings.”

  • grinding

    135 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
    2% positive mentions, 11% neutral mentions, 87% negative mentions

    The grinding aspect of the game has received mixed reviews, with many players finding it excessively tedious and time-consuming, often requiring significant effort to progress. While some appreciate the exploration and combat mechanics, they note that the repetitive nature of quests and enemy encounters can detract from the overall experience. Overall, players suggest that a considerable investment of time is necessary to fully enjoy the game, leading to the sentiment that "you'll need a second life for grinding."

    • “Quests are not too grindy, and dungeons not endlessly long.”
    • “A bit grindy sometimes.”
    • “You'll need a second life for grinding.”
    • “Takes a while to get good, like 15 hours for a steady stream of ammo, caps and stim packs, which makes the early game tedious.”
    • “The quests aren't that interesting, the gameplay is more tedious than it is fun, and the world doesn't feel nearly as entertaining to explore as New Vegas or Fallouts 1 and 2.”
    • “Starts out semi-decent only to turn tedious and boring only a few hours into it, barely had the will to finish the campaign; it's so boring.”

  • character development

    85 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
    28% positive mentions, 68% neutral mentions, 4% negative mentions

    Character development in Fallout 3 is widely praised for its depth and variety, allowing players to customize their characters through a robust system of attributes, skills, and perks. The game offers a rich narrative experience, where choices significantly impact gameplay and character interactions, making each playthrough unique. However, some critiques highlight inconsistencies in writing quality and character design, suggesting that while the system is strong, its execution can be uneven.

    • “The character development and companion system add depth to the game, making it easy to get lost in the world for hours on end.”
    • “It's a game that invites players to immerse themselves fully in its post-apocalyptic universe, offering dozens, if not hundreds, of hours of exploration, questing, and character development.”
    • “The story conversations go far beyond simple dialogue, offering players deep and rich character development.”
    • “As time went by, other games and systems came out that would eclipse Fallout 3 in terms of graphics, expanse, character development, and progress.”
    • “What suffered the most in my opinion was the character development.”
    • “I don't understand how this allows for player choice and individual character development and personalization as it sort of forces you to be a certain type of character.”

  • monetization

    64 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
    16% positive mentions, 15% neutral mentions, 69% negative mentions

    The monetization strategy of Bethesda has drawn significant criticism, with many users labeling recent games as "cash grabs" due to the prevalence of microtransactions and poor customer service regarding game functionality. Reviewers express disappointment that the focus has shifted from immersive storytelling and gameplay to profit-driven models, undermining the legacy of earlier titles. Overall, there is a strong sentiment against the current monetization practices, with calls for a return to quality over profit.

    • “Plus, no microtransactions.”
    • “Thanks to the show, I was curious to go back to a game when microtransactions didn't exist and the main point was atmosphere and plot.”
    • “I originally was put off by the gunplay as there are no ads (aim down sights) but got accustomed to it quickly.”
    • “These were the games that made Bethesda famous, and then they went ahead and betrayed people's trust with microtransactions and subscriptions and crap like that...”
    • “Microtransactions and pay-to-win mechanics along with other scandals have sunk this game beyond saving for me.”
    • “I cannot recommend this or any other Bethesda products as it moves to a microtransactions-based format for its games.”
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Critic Reviews

91%Critics’ scoreBased on 8 critic reviews
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Play Times

35h Median play time
164h Average play time
22h Main story
115h Completionist
8-120h Spent by most gamers
*Based on 353 analyzed playthroughs
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Game News

Next year's Fallout 76 major expansion will explore a 'prequel story to Fallout 3'

July 28 on pcgamer.com

Fallout 3 and New Vegas Remasters are a good start, but before Fallout 5 Bethesda could be doing so much more

July 24 on gamesradar.com

Fallout 3's gunplay is "not good," admits former Bethesda designer, and we'll probably see "a lot of that work" that went into Fallout 4 when it comes to the remaster

July 22 on gamesradar.com

Modders remastering Fallout 3 in Fallout 4 are not bothered by Bethesda's official version: "Our project has been a community-driven passion project for almost a full decade"

July 21 on gamesradar.com

Fallout 3 is a masterpiece and I hope the remaster comes to Switch 2

July 21 on gamesradar.com

Bethesda's Fallout 3 and New Vegas remasters won't stop the modders who've already spent years recreating the RPGs in Fallout 4

July 20 on rockpapershotgun.com

"A prequel story to Fallout 3" is one of Bethesda's most exciting announcements in ages, and it's coming next year to Fallout 76

July 18 on gamesradar.com

Bethesda on Starfield; TES; and Fallout 5, Fallout 76, and Remasters of Fallout 3 & New Vegas

July 17 on bluesnews.com
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Frequently Asked Questions

Fallout 3 is a open world role playing shooter game with horror, post-apocalyptic and science fiction themes. Common tags for Fallout 3 include first-person, exploration, gaming, third person, soundtrack and others.

Fallout 3 is available on Steam Deck, Windows, Xbox Series X|S, PC and others.

The main story can be completed in around 22 hours, while the entire game is estimated to take about 115 hours to finish. On average players spend around 164 hours playing Fallout 3.

Fallout 3 was released on December 16, 2009.

Fallout 3 was developed by Bethesda Game Studios.

Fallout 3 has received very positive reviews from players and very positive reviews from critics. Most players liked Fallout 3 for its story but disliked it for its stability.

Fallout 3 is a single player game.

Similar games include Fallout 4, Fallout: New Vegas, The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim, Fallout 2: A Post Nuclear Role Playing Game, Fallout 2 and others.