Fallout 3

80%
Game Brain Score Based on 27,070 reviews
  • story
  • gameplay
  • graphics
Fallout 3 Game Cover
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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.

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Reviews

80%
Audience ScoreBased on 27,070 reviews
story1,839 positive mentions
stability879 negative mentions
  • story4,904 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 quest 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's atmosphere and exploration elements are praised, though some critiques point to a lack of meaningful choices and depth compared to other entries in the series, particularly Fallout: New Vegas. Overall, it remains a beloved title for its immersive world and compelling side narratives.

    • “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 as awful as it always was, the combat is pretty bleh, but it's a Fallout game; you're free to do whatever and be whatever.”
    • “The story is just far simpler and less interesting than New Vegas.”
    • “The main story is the weakest part of Fallout 3.”
  • gameplay1,589 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 vast open world, engaging quests, 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 hundreds of hours of exploration and character customization, making it a beloved title among fans of the series.

    • “The gameplay mechanics in Fallout 3: Game of the Year Edition offer a seamless blend of first-person shooting, role-playing elements, and exploration.”
    • “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.”
    • “Fallout 3 is a groundbreaking entry in the Fallout series that redefined open-world RPGs with its immersive post-apocalyptic setting, rich storytelling, and deep gameplay mechanics.”
    • “The gameplay is underwhelming.”
    • “The gameplay is incredibly awful but somehow super fun.”
    • “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.”
  • graphics1,177 mentions

    The graphics of Fallout 3 are widely regarded as dated, reflecting its 2008 release, but many players find that they still hold a certain charm and atmosphere that enhances the overall experience. While some reviews note that the visuals can appear muddy or lack detail compared to modern standards, the game's unique art style and immersive world-building often compensate for these shortcomings. Additionally, numerous mods are available to improve graphics, making it possible for players to enhance their visual experience significantly.

    • “The graphics hold up remarkably well, immersing you in a world that feels both familiar and alien.”
    • “The graphics and high-resolution texture maps still hold up, despite the game's age, and are still pleasing to the eye.”
    • “From the iconic retro-futuristic aesthetic to the hauntingly beautiful soundtrack, every aspect of the game is crafted with love and care.”
    • “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, and while they may have been impressive at the time of release, they now feel subpar compared to modern standards.”
    • “The graphics are pretty outdated at this point, with the game utilizing a similar build of Bethesda's creation engine that was used for previous entries in their Elder Scrolls series.”
  • stability929 mentions

    The stability of Fallout 3 has been widely criticized, with many players reporting frequent crashes, freezes, and various bugs that hinder gameplay. While some users have managed to enjoy the game through extensive troubleshooting and the use of mods, the overall experience remains frustratingly unstable, particularly on modern systems like Windows 10. Despite its charm and engaging story, the game's technical issues are a significant drawback, making it less accessible for those unfamiliar with Bethesda's notorious "jank."

    • “Amazing game, runs great on Linux.”
    • “It's not buggy, it runs fine.”
    • “I have been playing for 10+ hours with no freezes whatsoever.”
    • “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.”
  • optimization632 mentions

    The optimization of Fallout 3 has received overwhelmingly negative feedback, 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 achieve stable performance 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 technical problems. Overall, players recommend caution and suggest that potential buyers be prepared for a challenging setup process to get the game running smoothly.

    • “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, RTX 3070, 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.”
  • atmosphere614 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 unique art style, atmospheric sound design, and nostalgic soundtrack, which collectively enhance the feeling of exploring a ravaged landscape. While some critiques mention technical issues and repetitive environments, the overall consensus is that the game's atmosphere remains one of its strongest and most memorable features, making it a standout entry 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.”
    • “The atmosphere is dead, full of dread seeing a dead America, with the remnants of a futurized 1950s.”
    • “The atmosphere played in pure vanilla is relatively stale, and mods will help breathe some more life back into Fallout 3.”
    • “The atmosphere of the world has a lot to do with that and you also have to play it as an RPG and mess with the world, its quests and NPCs, rather than just concentrate on the combat which is comically gruel.”
  • music436 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 haunting soundtrack and the engaging radio stations, particularly Galaxy News Radio, which adds depth to the exploration experience. However, some users report technical issues with the music, including bugs that cause sound dropouts or repetitive playlists, which can detract from the overall enjoyment.

    • “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.”
    • “The music, characters, and engaging stories create an unforgettable experience.”
    • “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.”
  • humor275 mentions

    The humor in the game is characterized by a blend of dark comedy, absurdity, and quirky dialogue, often reflecting the post-apocalyptic setting. Players appreciate the witty NPC interactions and the humorous consequences of their choices, although some feel that the humor is not as sharp or prevalent as in earlier titles like Fallout: New Vegas. Overall, the game successfully combines humor with its grim themes, providing a unique and entertaining experience.

    • “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.”
    • “The characters you meet are engaging and oftentimes hilarious without feeling out of place in this harsh world.”
    • “The humor in the game feels insignificant and often relies on glitches that aren't funny.”
    • “I found the jokes to be poorly executed and lacking in creativity.”
    • “The attempts at humor fell flat and didn't resonate with me at all.”
  • replayability242 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 a rich and engaging experience that encourages multiple playthroughs.

    • “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.”
  • emotional72 mentions

    The emotional aspect of Fallout 3 is widely praised for its deeply engaging narrative, memorable characters, and the ability to evoke strong feelings, from joy to heartbreak. Players often reflect on personal connections to the story, particularly regarding themes of loss and moral dilemmas, which resonate on a profound level. Despite some criticisms of gameplay and dialogue, the game's emotional depth leaves a lasting impact, making it a cherished experience for many.

    • “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.”
  • grinding68 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 development42 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 that while the character development mechanics are strong, the graphical and design aspects may feel outdated.

    • “The character development and companion system add depth to the game, making it easy to get lost in the world for hours on end.”
    • “This game has an amazing storyline; it’s very in-depth with the character development, and the story in general was something that I have never experienced in gaming prior to playing it.”
    • “Awesome combination of open world, open choices, and character development to suit your own playstyle.”
    • “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.”
    • “But with these positives come big negatives from the character development angle.”
  • monetization32 mentions

    The reviews express strong dissatisfaction with the monetization practices of Bethesda, particularly criticizing the prevalence of microtransactions and perceived cash grabs in their recent titles. Many users feel that these practices betray the legacy of earlier games that focused on atmosphere and storytelling, and they lament the shift towards aggressive advertising and monetization strategies that detract from the gaming experience. Overall, there is a consensus that the current approach undermines trust and quality, leading to a negative perception of the brand.

    • “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.”
Positive mentions (%)Positive
Neutral mentions (%)Neutral
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Buy Fallout 3

Play time

35hMedian play time
165hAverage play time
22hMain story
116hCompletionist
8-120hSpent by most gamers
*Based on 176 analyzed playthroughs

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