Fallout 3

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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.

Genres & Tags

Play Modes

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

Reviews

80%

Audience ScoreBased on 27,219 reviews

story1,848 positive mentions

stability882 negative mentions

story
4,933 mentions
37 % positive mentions
56 % neutral mentions
7 % negative mentions
The story of Fallout 3 centers around the protagonist's quest to find their father after escaping the confines of Vault 101, set against a richly detailed post-apocalyptic Washington D.C. While the main storyline is often criticized for being linear and lacking depth compared to its successor, New Vegas, many players find the side quests and environmental storytelling to be engaging and memorable, offering a wealth of lore and character interactions that enhance the overall experience. The game's DLCs, particularly Broken Steel, add further depth and allow players to continue exploring the world after the main quest concludes, making it a beloved entry in the Fallout series despite its flaws.
- “The story is engaging enough, and you do meet a lot of interesting and varied characters across the wasteland, from goodie two shoes to absolutely dastardly characters. In fact, you can even choose which one you want to be and which side you choose to team up with.”
- “The storytelling in Fallout 3 is a hallmark of the series, blending humor, tragedy, and moral complexity.”
- “The main quest, along with the extensive side quests available, allows players to delve deep into the lore of the wasteland, creating a narrative that feels personal and impactful.”
- “The main story is the weakest point of Fallout 3.”
- “The story is just far simpler and less interesting than New Vegas.”
- “The main quest is pretty weak, so most of the charm in missions comes from the sidequests.”
gameplay
1,597 mentions
34 % positive mentions
59 % 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 immersive experience in a post-apocalyptic world. While many players appreciate the depth of character customization and the engaging open-world exploration, criticisms often focus on the dated combat mechanics, clunky controls, and frequent bugs that can disrupt gameplay. Overall, despite its flaws, the game offers a rich narrative and extensive hours of content, especially when enhanced by mods.
- “The RPG mechanics are deep yet approachable, with perks that make your character truly unique and memorable.”
- “The freedom to develop your character based on your playstyle—whether as a combat-oriented warrior, a charismatic negotiator, or a stealthy infiltrator—adds layers of depth to the gameplay.”
- “Its engaging narrative, richly detailed world, and innovative gameplay mechanics make it a timeless classic that continues to resonate with players today.”
- “The gameplay is underwhelming.”
- “The main story is pretty good but every other part of the game is lacking, from combat being very dated, the leveling mechanics being boiled down to just numbers going up more often than not, and the speech system being very stupid.”
- “The gameplay is clunky, graphics are kinda outdated but I still play it every year.”
graphics
1,182 mentions
26 % positive mentions
64 % neutral mentions
10 % negative mentions
The graphics of Fallout 3, while groundbreaking at the time of its 2008 release, are now widely regarded as outdated, featuring blocky NPCs and stiff animations. Many players note that the game's visuals can feel dated compared to modern standards, but they still appreciate the atmospheric art style that enhances the post-apocalyptic setting. Additionally, users often recommend using mods to improve the graphics, especially for those playing on newer systems, as the game may require specific fixes to run properly on modern hardware.
- “The graphics, while reflective of their time, still deliver an atmospheric experience that effectively captures the desolation and beauty of a world reclaimed by nature.”
- “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 graphics hold up decently in my opinion and the combat is still incredibly fun.”
- “The graphics, while revolutionary for the time, can feel dated now, with blocky NPCs and stiff animations.”
- “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 very dated (old) in 2023.”
stability
932 mentions
4 % positive mentions
1 % neutral mentions
95 % negative mentions
The stability of Fallout 3 is widely criticized, with players reporting numerous bugs, glitches, and frequent crashes, particularly on modern systems like Windows 10. Many users recommend extensive troubleshooting and the use of mods or patches to improve performance, as the game often requires significant effort to run smoothly. Despite these issues, some players still find enjoyment in the game, attributing its charm to the very bugs that frustrate others.
- “Amazing game, runs great on Linux.”
- “It's not buggy, it runs fine.”
- “I have been playing for 10+ hours with no freezes whatsoever.”
- “There’s also a notable lack of polish in terms of bugs and glitches—a Bethesda trademark—that can sometimes disrupt the immersion.”
- “The game freezes often and then needs to be relaunched, so you have to save constantly - if I wasn't so interested in the lore, that may have been a dealbreaker.”
- “This game is extremely buggy and borderline unplayable, even by Bethesda standards.”
optimization
633 mentions
12 % positive mentions
38 % neutral mentions
50 % negative mentions
The optimization of Fallout 3 has received significant criticism, particularly regarding its compatibility with modern operating systems. Many players report frequent crashes, stuttering, and overall poor performance, especially on Windows 7 and later versions, despite the game being playable with extensive tweaking and the use of community mods. While some users have managed to run the game smoothly on newer systems, the general consensus is that it requires considerable effort to achieve a stable experience, making it difficult to recommend without caveats.
- “The only aspect it surpasses New Vegas in is optimization and running more stably on my computer.”
- “I ran this game on an i5 laptop with 8GB of memory and an integrated GPU (Intel Iris Xe) and while the game never had any performance issues in regards to stutter or low FPS on my setup, I did have constant crashes, about 1 every 20 minutes, regardless of if I was playing the main story or doing a DLC story.”
- “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 is not optimized for use on Windows 8 and newer systems.”
- “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.”
atmosphere
627 mentions
56 % positive mentions
42 % neutral mentions
2 % negative mentions
The atmosphere of Fallout 3 is widely praised for its immersive and haunting portrayal of a post-apocalyptic world, effectively capturing feelings of isolation, decay, and dread. Players appreciate the game's rich environmental storytelling, atmospheric sound design, and nostalgic music, which together create a compelling sense of exploration and tension throughout the desolate landscapes of the Capital Wasteland. Despite some criticisms regarding gameplay mechanics and narrative depth, the game's atmosphere remains a standout feature that resonates deeply with fans of the series.
- “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.”
- “The atmosphere of the game is incredible, with haunting music and sound design that adds to the feeling of desolation and danger.”
- “The atmosphere is dismal, and I got so tired of getting jump-scared by mirelurks, but if you don't care about that, then this is the game for you!”
- “My only complaints about the game would have to be that the environments and atmosphere of Fallout 3 can become rather drab and dull at points, as well as the engine being abhorrent to fix in order to actually play despite updates saying otherwise.”
- “The world of Fallout 3 feels very dead, and not for the atmosphere.”
music
438 mentions
41 % positive mentions
58 % neutral mentions
1 % negative mentions
The music in "Fallout 3" is widely praised for its exceptional soundtrack, featuring a mix of haunting ambient tracks and classic 1940s and 1950s songs that enhance the game's post-apocalyptic atmosphere. Players appreciate the nostalgic feel of the in-game radio, particularly the Galaxy News Radio, which adds depth to exploration despite some complaints about repetitive song selections. However, technical issues, such as music glitches and crashes, have been noted, detracting from the overall experience for some players.
- “The atmosphere is haunting yet beautiful, with a soundtrack that perfectly complements the game's setting.”
- “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.”
- “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).”
- “Don't buy this game - you will have to spend hours getting it to work on newer systems and the music simply doesn't work at all.”
humor
278 mentions
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 reflecting the game's post-apocalyptic setting. Players appreciate the engaging dialogue, quirky NPCs, and the comedic elements that arise from both scripted interactions and unexpected glitches. While some feel it lacks the depth of humor found in earlier titles like Fallout 1 and 2, many still find it entertaining and capable of eliciting laughter amidst its grim themes.
- “It's got the perfect mix of dark humor, post-apocalyptic chaos, and RPG goodness.”
- “The characters you meet are engaging and oftentimes hilarious without feeling out of place in this harsh world.”
- “The humor is spot on.”
- “The humor in this game feels insignificant and often relies on glitches rather than clever writing.”
- “I found the jokes to be flat and unoriginal, lacking any real comedic value.”
- “The attempts at humor often fall flat, making the game feel more awkward than funny.”
replayability
243 mentions
48 % positive mentions
51 % neutral mentions
1 % negative mentions
The replayability of Fallout 3 is widely praised, with many reviewers highlighting its vast open world, numerous side quests, and the impact of player choices on the narrative. Players appreciate the game's potential for multiple playthroughs, enhanced by a strong modding community that adds even more content and variety. Overall, the game is considered to have near-infinite replay value, making it a favorite among fans for its depth and exploration opportunities.
- “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.”
- “The game does have some replay value, but for me personally, not enough to go for a second run.”
- “This game is honestly great but unlike Fallout: New Vegas, it doesn't have much replayability.”
emotional
74 mentions
96 % positive mentions
0 % neutral mentions
4 % negative mentions
The emotional aspect of the game is highlighted by its meaningful moral choices, heartfelt narrative, and memorable characters, which deeply engage players and often evoke strong feelings, including sadness and nostalgia. Many players express a profound emotional investment in the storyline, particularly in relation to familial bonds and the consequences of their actions, making the experience both touching and impactful. However, some critiques mention a lack of variety in gameplay and character depth, which can detract from the overall emotional experience.
- “The game excels in delivering an emotionally charged narrative, filled with moral dilemmas, memorable characters, and unexpected twists.”
- “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.”
- “Boring dialogue, boring environments, boring story.”
- “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.”
- “Boring story coupled with boring characters, boring world, and boring gameplay.”
grinding
67 mentions
3 % positive mentions
10 % neutral mentions
87 % negative mentions
Overall, players find the grinding aspect of the game to be excessively tedious, often requiring significant time investment for leveling up and resource gathering. Many reviews highlight that while the exploration and combat can be enjoyable, the repetitive nature of quests and enemy encounters detracts from the overall experience, making it feel like a grind. Some players appreciate the depth of the game but caution that it may not be suitable for those who dislike extensive grinding.
- “Quests are not too grindy, and dungeons not endlessly long.”
- “A bit grindy sometimes.”
- “You'll need a second life for grinding.”
- “Traversing the vast open world feels tedious and empty, lacking the immersive qualities seen in contemporaneous titles.”
- “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.”
character development
43 mentions
28 % positive mentions
65 % neutral mentions
7 % negative mentions
Character development in Fallout 3: Game of the Year Edition 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. While some critiques mention dated graphics and writing, the overall consensus highlights the game's strong role-playing elements and immersive storytelling that enhance character development.
- “If you’re a fan of expansive open worlds, compelling narratives, and intricate character development, Fallout 3 is a must-play.”
- “The character development and companion system add depth to the game, making it easy to get lost in the world for hours on end.”
- “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.”
- “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.”
- “What suffered the most in my opinion was the character development.”
monetization
32 mentions
16 % positive mentions
16 % neutral mentions
69 % negative mentions
The reviews express strong dissatisfaction with the monetization practices of Bethesda, particularly criticizing the shift towards microtransactions and perceived cash grabs in their games. Many users feel that the focus on profit over quality has undermined the integrity of classic titles, leading to frustration over poor gameplay experiences and misleading advertising. Overall, there is a consensus that the current monetization strategies detract from the enjoyment and value of the games.
- “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.”
- “Plus, no microtransactions.”
- “I can not recommend this or any other Bethesda products as it moves to a microtransactions-based format for its games.”
- “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.”