Fallout: New Vegas

Overall Fallout New Vegas is an amazing game and is great value for money on Steam

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In Fallout: New Vegas, explore the post-apocalyptic wasteland of the Mojave Desert, where various factions fight for control over the city of New Vegas. With a vast arsenal of weapons and unique characters, make your way through enhanceable skill systems and choose your own alliances in this follow-up to Fallout 3, released by Bethesda Softworks. Immerse in a vivid open world, riddled with mutated creatures, power-hungry enemies, and special rewards.

Genres & Tags

Play Modes

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

Reviews

89%

Audience ScoreBased on 139,898 reviews

story10,004 positive mentions

stability3,516 negative mentions

story
22,996 mentions
44 % positive mentions
54 % neutral mentions
3 % negative mentions
The story of "Fallout: New Vegas" is widely praised for its depth, complexity, and player agency, allowing for a rich narrative experience shaped by choices and interactions with various factions. Players embark on a quest for revenge after being shot in the head, navigating a morally ambiguous world filled with memorable characters and intricate side quests that often feel as significant as the main storyline. Despite its technical issues and dated graphics, the game's storytelling and world-building continue to resonate with fans, making it a standout entry in the Fallout series.
- “The story is excellent, with a good variety of different factions to side with.”
- “The writing is sharp, the characters are unforgettable, and the main and side quests are woven with such depth that it feels like every choice truly matters.”
- “The story is a well-written masterpiece, only lacking in terms of gameplay; the story is on par with Skyrim as a whole.”
- “The story is mediocre at best. If you ignore all the bugs and game-breaking crashes, and only focus on the characters and storyline, you start to realize that the game has potential to be one of the best Fallout games, but the execution of the storyline and the background of characters is so bland. After killing Benny, the entire storyline is just one big fetch quest until you get to Hoover Dam.”
- “The main story is not too short, nor too long. However, the game makes it completely impossible to make them actually go anywhere in the story, with the only path being a goofy NCR alliance which in hindsight doesn't really even make sense considering that at the same time, Veronica can't seem to convince them in her quest to make allies.”
- “The story is plain, you do whatever you want to do. The quests are relentlessly long and take way too long to complete. The main story doesn't treat the player like an idiot; it's complex in its politics and actually provokes thought.”
gameplay
7,121 mentions
38 % positive mentions
57 % neutral mentions
6 % negative mentions
The gameplay of *Fallout: New Vegas* is often described as a blend of first-person shooter mechanics and traditional RPG elements, with many players appreciating its depth and variety. While some criticize the dated graphics and clunky mechanics, particularly in combat, the game's rich storytelling, character development, and meaningful choices are frequently highlighted as its standout features. Overall, the gameplay experience is enhanced significantly through mods, which can address many of the technical issues and improve the overall feel of the game.
- “The mix of RPG elements and shooter mechanics makes for an exciting experience.”
- “The gameplay is a glorious blend of nostalgia and innovation.”
- “The gameplay is a perfect blend of RPG mechanics and first-person action.”
- “It has the worst shooting mechanics in any video game that I've ever played, and nothing honestly comes close to how bad the mechanics are.”
- “If you want a game that crashes all the time and has the worst movement mechanics and gun mechanics in the entire history of gaming, then this is for you.”
- “The gameplay is a bit janky and the game can be very unstable, but that can easily be fixed by reading the discussion threads and mods.”
graphics
4,955 mentions
22 % positive mentions
62 % neutral mentions
16 % negative mentions
The graphics of *Fallout: New Vegas* are widely regarded as outdated, even for its time of release in 2010, with many players noting that they show significant wear compared to modern standards. While some find the visuals charming and nostalgic, others criticize them as poor and lacking detail, often suggesting that the game requires mods to enhance its graphical fidelity and overall performance. Despite these shortcomings, the game's rich storytelling, character development, and immersive world-building are frequently highlighted as compensatory factors that make it a must-play experience.
- “The graphics do a great job of balancing between modern and retro, creating a unique aesthetic that pays homage to the franchise’s roots while still feeling fresh.”
- “For the time in which this game was made, the graphics were just amazing for that time (2010)!”
- “Despite the graphics being dated, the vibrant modding community provides countless ways to enhance and update the experience.”
- “The graphics are dated, and the overall feel might be clunky, but the game remains a must-play for any RPG enthusiast.”
- “The graphics have aged poorly, especially for a 2010 game, and the combat mechanics feel outdated.”
- “The graphics are a bit dated, and while they were acceptable at the time of release, they now feel quite underwhelming compared to modern titles.”
stability
3,605 mentions
2 % positive mentions
0 % neutral mentions
98 % negative mentions
The stability of "Fallout: New Vegas" is widely criticized, with players reporting numerous bugs, glitches, and crashes that can significantly disrupt gameplay. Many users recommend utilizing mods to enhance stability and mitigate these issues, as the game was released in a notably buggy state due to a rushed development cycle. Despite these technical shortcomings, the game's rich storytelling and engaging gameplay often overshadow the frustrations caused by its instability.
- “The game runs great on the Steam Deck (where I played most of it).”
- “Runs great on low-end PC (I'm playing it on a ThinkPad laptop).”
- “For the amount of ambitious content, I found it to be relatively bug-free.”
- “Unfortunately, it was not given the budget or time it truly needed prior to release, so utilize mods heavily as it can be a buggy, crash-prone experience in vanilla.”
- “From graphical glitches to quest-breaking bugs, these problems can severely degrade the overall experience.”
- “The game is buggy and prone to crashes, but there was a continuous period of 15 hours where I didn't experience any crashes and minimal bugs.”
music
2,121 mentions
39 % positive mentions
59 % neutral mentions
2 % negative mentions
The music in *Fallout: New Vegas* is widely praised for its nostalgic blend of 1940s and 1950s tunes, which perfectly complements the game's post-apocalyptic western atmosphere. Players appreciate the iconic tracks, particularly those from the Mojave Music Radio and Radio New Vegas, although some note that the limited selection can become repetitive over time. Overall, the soundtrack significantly enhances the immersive experience, making it a standout feature of the game.
- “The music and atmosphere immerse you in a post-apocalyptic world like no other, and the dark humor brings a unique charm that never gets old.”
- “The soundtrack complements this perfectly, with a mix of haunting ambient tracks and classic tunes from the golden age of radio.”
- “The music, especially the old 1950s songs that play on the radio throughout, creates a wonderful atmosphere, all complemented by the iconic art style of the time.”
- “He's much less irritating than Three Dog from Fallout 3, but the songs and stories still repeat often, meaning you won't want to be tuned in for the entirety of your playthrough.”
- “The music is... good, but very repetitive after a while.”
- “The radio has a few duds comparatively, and you'd better like old country music, but it's nonetheless pretty solid; I'll have 'Johnny Guitar' and 'Jingle Jangle Jingle' in my head for the next eternity.”
replayability
1,819 mentions
50 % positive mentions
49 % neutral mentions
1 % negative mentions
Fallout: New Vegas is widely praised for its exceptional replayability, attributed to its branching storylines, diverse faction choices, and numerous side quests. Players appreciate the freedom to explore different character builds and moral paths, leading to unique experiences in each playthrough. The active modding community further enhances the game's longevity, allowing for endless customization and new content, solidifying its status as one of the most replayable RPGs available.
- “This is genuinely one of my favorite games of all time; the replayability of this game is absolutely remarkable, I couldn't suggest this game more!”
- “The sheer amount of dialogue options is fantastic, and there's lots of replayability.”
- “Fallout: New Vegas offers exceptional replayability, thanks to its branching storylines, diverse faction choices, and multitude of side quests.”
- “The replayability is through the roof - each playthrough can be completed in as little as a few hours to several days.”
- “The game is really good with mods added; boring without mods, the game is replayable three times at most without mods and addicting with mods.”
- “The main story takes between 6 to 8 hours to complete, but with the side quests, exploration, and the hugely replayable nature of the game, one could easily sink hundreds of hours into the base game without even touching any of the spectacular DLCs.”
humor
1,692 mentions
99 % positive mentions
0 % neutral mentions
1 % negative mentions
The humor in "Fallout: New Vegas" is widely praised for its sharp, dark wit and absurdity, often drawing comparisons to the earlier titles in the series. Players appreciate the clever dialogue, quirky characters, and the ability to engage in humorous scenarios, particularly through the "Wild Wasteland" perk and the "Old World Blues" DLC, which is noted for its comedic elements. Despite some technical glitches, many find these moments add to the game's charm, making it a memorable and entertaining experience.
- “With its sharp dialogue and dark humor, the game is both engaging and fun.”
- “The one-liners are sharp, over-the-top, and downright hilarious.”
- “I found myself laughing out loud at Duke’s signature bravado and absurd antics — exactly what I expect from our macho hero.”
- “The entire series is just one big unfunny meme.”
- “It's an unfunny 'comedic' DLC that focuses on exploration in a place so annoying you're left wondering what you're even doing.”
- “The unfunny humor was the worst part of Fallout 2 and I'm disappointed that this game has the same type of out-of-place jokes.”
atmosphere
1,295 mentions
54 % positive mentions
43 % neutral mentions
3 % negative mentions
The atmosphere of *Fallout: New Vegas* is widely praised for its unique blend of post-apocalyptic desolation and retro charm, effectively immersing players in the Mojave Wasteland. The game's soundtrack, featuring classic 1950s tunes, enhances the experience, while the rich world-building and character interactions contribute to a vibrant yet haunting environment. Despite some criticisms regarding its graphics and occasional bugs, the overall atmosphere is considered one of the game's standout features, often compared favorably to its predecessors and contemporaries in the *Fallout* series.
- “The music and atmosphere immerse you in a post-apocalyptic world like no other, and the dark humor brings a unique charm that never gets old.”
- “The atmosphere of this game is incredible.”
- “Fallout: New Vegas is by far the best Fallout game; it has amazing atmosphere and it feels awesome just walking through the post-apocalyptic Mojave Desert, listening to old music from the 60s and 70s.”
- “The atmosphere is a decimated land, with 70s and 80s music, where the vision of the future became reality, before tragedy struck.”
- “The atmosphere is alright, however it grows overbearing and the map can often feel very bland and empty.”
- “The environment and atmosphere are so bland, bleak and hideous.”
optimization
856 mentions
18 % positive mentions
50 % neutral mentions
32 % negative mentions
The optimization of Fallout: New Vegas is widely criticized, with many players reporting significant performance issues, including frequent crashes, stuttering, and low frame rates, particularly on modern hardware. While some users have managed to improve their experience through various mods, the game is often deemed unplayable in its vanilla state without extensive modding to address these technical shortcomings. Overall, the game's performance is seen as its weakest aspect, overshadowing its otherwise engaging gameplay and narrative.
- “With such a large modding community even to this day, there are a lot of mods that help with performance and graphics since the game was built with an engine that is older than I am.”
- “Despite its rough edges, including optimization challenges, the need for modding, verbose dialogue, bugs, and DLCs that fall slightly short, the game still offers a captivating and immersive experience that is often available at an affordable price.”
- “The game has received updates through the years that have improved the performance and fixed a lot of bugs, but you can still find some in-game which may lead to funny situations.”
- “The game is very poorly optimized and frequently crashes in specific places, especially when you walk through a door.”
- “This game is so unoptimized that I just simply can't recommend playing it on your normal modern PC.”
- “The performance issues alone are enough to steer clear of the game, unless you want to get involved with mods, which can fix these issues, but present many other issues depending on your setup.”
grinding
347 mentions
1 % positive mentions
37 % neutral mentions
63 % negative mentions
The grinding aspect of the game has received mixed reviews, with many players finding it tedious and time-consuming due to long quests, excessive walking, and the need for constant repairs. While some appreciate the depth and rewards of grinding, others feel it detracts from the overall enjoyment, making the gameplay feel like a chore rather than an engaging experience. Fast travel options and mods can alleviate some of the tedium, but the game's design often leads to repetitive and monotonous tasks.
- “You'll need a second life for grinding.”
- “A bit grindy sometimes.”
- “An excessive amount of grinding.”
- “The combination of absurd pathing to a quest and the fact that everything looks the same makes this game so tedious unless you enjoy walking through a barren nothing forever.”
- “Lengthy walks across the wasteland become tedious, making it difficult to stay engaged, especially when the action takes so long to kick in.”
- “The game's ugly, tedious, and loves wasting the player's time.”
emotional
292 mentions
96 % positive mentions
0 % neutral mentions
4 % negative mentions
The emotional aspect of "Fallout: New Vegas" is widely praised for its depth and complexity, with many players expressing strong emotional connections to the characters and storylines. The game elicits a range of feelings, from joy and nostalgia to heartbreak and regret, often leaving a lasting impact on players long after they finish. While some reviews note a lack of emotional engagement in certain areas, the overall consensus highlights the game's ability to create meaningful experiences through its rich narrative and character interactions.
- “I have never been so emotionally invested in something in my entire life.”
- “The relationships forged, the alliances formed, and the betrayals endured create an emotional investment that lingers long after the game is completed.”
- “This game made me feel all sorts of emotions: happiness, joy, anger, sadness, regret.”
- “Personally, I couldn't get into this game due to its boring story and visual quality.”
- “In fact, at 35 hours, I originally put a negative review: boring story, hyped up a massive battle, only for there to be a few enemies and hardly any of my allies had shown up.”
- “This is essentially Skyrim, re-branded and re-skinned with the most boring story and characters you have ever encountered in a gaming universe.”
character development
128 mentions
43 % positive mentions
54 % neutral mentions
3 % negative mentions
Character development in "Fallout: New Vegas" is widely praised for its depth and complexity, allowing players to shape their characters through a rich narrative, diverse skill sets, and meaningful choices that impact the game world. Reviewers highlight the immersive storytelling, well-crafted NPCs, and the ability to customize character traits and interactions, making it a standout feature compared to other titles in the series. Overall, the game is celebrated for its exceptional writing and the emotional connections players can form with characters, enhancing the overall RPG experience.
- “Its strengths lie in its narrative depth, character development, and the freedom it offers players to shape their own journey.”
- “The game's character development is robust, with a wide range of skills, perks, and playstyles to choose from.”
- “The quality of the writing and character development help to create an immersive and rewarding narrative that keeps players invested and interested.”
- “The silent protagonist is a boring mute with no proper character development or valuable dialogue.”
- “Very little world or character development.”
- “The quality of the storyline, character development, and voice acting has ups and downs.”
monetization
103 mentions
4 % positive mentions
26 % neutral mentions
70 % negative mentions
The monetization aspect of the game has received mixed feedback, with many users appreciating the absence of intrusive microtransactions, which contrasts sharply with other recent titles in the franchise. While some players express a desire for more optional purchases, the general sentiment leans towards valuing the game's integrity and content over cash grab tactics, highlighting that the DLCs are well-received and reasonably priced. Overall, the game is praised for providing a complete experience without the burden of aggressive monetization strategies.
- “No microtransactions, the story is great, the gunplay could be better but whatever, and the DLCs are pretty good (and cheap!).”
- “Truly a game from the greatest era of video games where what you pay for is what you get (no microtransactions, purchasable currencies, and loot boxes).”
- “Obsidian makes amazing games that are great quality and do not have microtransactions that are not cosmetic.”
- “The game was released too early and was the result of Bethesda forcing Obsidian to churn out a game as fast as possible for a cash grab.”
- “It is actually sad to see this company I grew up loving and idolizing turn into the image of toxic economics in gaming. The saddest part of all of this is I am nowhere near alone here in my opinion.”
- “This is what Fallout is not: a multiplayer game, not a cash grab, and certainly not a first-person shooter. These games are about telling a story about the human race and the end of the world.”