Fallout: New Vegas

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

89%Game Brain Score

story, gameplay

stability, optimization

96% User Score Based on 180,182 reviews

Critic Score 81%Based on 9 reviews

Platforms

Buy Nowfrom $2.34

Buy NowGet on Steam$9.99

Buy NowGet on Xbox Games Store

About

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

+21

96%

Audience ScoreBased on 180,191 reviews

story13.1k positive mentions

stability4.5k negative mentions

Fallout: New Vegas features an exceptional story with rich narrative depth, moral complexity, and engaging characters, making it a classic in the RPG genre.
The game offers incredible replayability with branching storylines, multiple endings, and diverse character builds, encouraging players to explore different choices.
Despite its technical issues, the game is praised for its immersive atmosphere, unique setting, and clever humor, contributing to a memorable gaming experience.

The game suffers from significant stability issues, including frequent crashes, bugs, and performance problems, which can detract from the overall experience.
Graphics are considered dated and unappealing compared to modern titles, which may affect the visual enjoyment for some players.
The grinding aspect of the game is often criticized for being tedious and time-consuming, with lengthy fetch quests and repetitive combat that can feel like a chore.

story
30,387 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
43%
54%
3%
The story of "Fallout: New Vegas" is widely regarded as one of the best in the franchise, featuring a rich narrative filled with moral complexity, engaging characters, and multiple branching paths that allow players to shape their own destinies. Players navigate a post-apocalyptic Mojave wasteland, embroiled in a power struggle among various factions, with choices that significantly impact the game's outcome and the world around them. Despite its age and technical issues, the game's storytelling, character development, and immersive quests continue to resonate with fans, making it a timeless classic in the RPG genre.
- “The story is fantastic.”
- “The world building, RPG aspects, and story are amazing.”
- “Fallout: New Vegas is a masterpiece of storytelling, player choice, and RPG mechanics.”
- “The main story starts off a bit weak and the humour can miss at times but I do think it ends in a great way.”
- “The other DLCs built up Ulysses for the story, but I must say the payoff felt incredibly disappointing.”
- “It's pretty much exactly the same as 3 and I lost all interest in the story shortly after completing the first main quest.”
gameplay
9,449 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
37%
57%
6%
The gameplay of "Fallout: New Vegas" is often described as a blend of traditional RPG mechanics and first-person shooter elements, with many players appreciating its depth and variety. While the mechanics are considered dated and can be clunky, especially in combat, the game's rich storytelling, character development, and player choice significantly enhance the overall experience. Many reviews recommend using mods to improve stability and gameplay, as the game is prone to bugs and crashes, but even in its unmodded state, it remains a beloved classic for its engaging narrative and immersive world.
- “Dead Money - amazing DLC, really immersive with cool gameplay elements owing to the collar and exploration-focused map design.”
- “The gameplay variety makes up for it.”
- “The writing, story, the atmosphere, the gameplay, it's all masterclass in game development that people need to learn from.”
- “The gameplay is clearly outdated.”
- “The gameplay is dated, but the story holds up, and remains the best in the series.”
- “The gameplay is clunky and buggy, but still fun.”
graphics
6,453 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
22%
62%
16%
The graphics of *Fallout: New Vegas* are widely regarded as dated, reflecting its 2010 release, with many players noting that they show their age compared to modern titles. Despite this, the game's unique aesthetic and atmosphere, combined with a strong narrative and engaging gameplay, often overshadow the graphical shortcomings. Players frequently recommend using mods to enhance visuals and stability, which can significantly improve the experience while maintaining the game's charm.
- “The graphics hold up, and there's tons of replayability, I would say with endings, builds, etc.”
- “The Mojave desert setting is a star in its own right, blending retro-futuristic 1950s aesthetics with post-apocalyptic grit.”
- “The graphics may be dated, but the story and gameplay are spectacular.”
- “The graphics are hideous.”
- “The graphics may be out of date, but the story and gameplay are spectacular.”
- “The graphics are dated, and the game is buggy, but the core experience is still enjoyable.”
stability
4,661 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
2%
1%
97%
The stability of "Fallout: New Vegas" is a significant point of contention among players, with many noting its notorious bugs, glitches, and frequent crashes. While some players find these issues frustrating, others appreciate the charm they bring to the experience, often suggesting that mods are essential for improving stability and performance. Overall, the game's stability is seen as a major drawback, but many still consider it a classic due to its engaging story and gameplay.
- “The game runs great on the Steam Deck, maxed out settings and consistent 60fps.”
- “Runs great on my Dell Optiplex 5060 with 8GB RAM i5 8500 and a GT 1030 2GB, game runs great at 60fps.”
- “This is one of those gems that has become more polished with time and runs great on modern hardware.”
- “I really want to give this game a positive review, but unfortunately, I cannot justify doing so while the game is so incredibly buggy.”
- “Constant crashing, plentiful bugs and glitches, display errors, the whole shebang.”
- “This game is a buggy, crashing, twisted masterpiece.”
music
2,827 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
39%
59%
2%
The music in *Fallout: New Vegas* is widely praised for its nostalgic blend of 1940s and 1950s tunes, enhancing the game's post-apocalyptic atmosphere and Western theme. Players appreciate the iconic radio stations, particularly *Mojave Music Radio* and *Radio New Vegas*, which feature classic tracks that often get stuck in their heads, although some find the limited song selection can become repetitive over time. Overall, the soundtrack is considered one of the best in the series, contributing significantly to the game's immersive experience.
- “The sheer scope is incredible, offering countless hours of gameplay enriched by that iconic classic soundtrack.”
- “The desolate landscapes, the neon-drenched casinos of New Vegas, and the hauntingly beautiful soundtrack create a sense of immersion that's unmatched.”
- “The soundtrack, composed by Inon Zur, perfectly complements the game’s atmosphere, enhancing the sense of immersion and tension.”
- “The music is really fitting for the theme of wasteland reminding you of all the isolation there, you either get all excited from jingle jangle or feel sadness from johnny guitar.”
- “The soundtrack is mostly ambient and very meh even when it's not.”
- “The music gets kind of annoying though.”
replayability
2,442 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
50%
49%
1%
Fallout: New Vegas is widely praised for its exceptional replayability, attributed to its branching storylines, multiple endings, and diverse character builds. Players appreciate the freedom to make impactful choices that significantly alter the game's outcome, encouraging multiple playthroughs. The extensive modding community further enhances the game's longevity, providing additional content and customization options that keep the experience fresh and engaging.
- “Endless replay value, made only better by the modding community.”
- “Wonderful story, great characters, all of the major factions are written extremely well, a massive amount of replayability.”
- “The branching storylines and multiple endings provide a replay value that keeps players engaged long after the credits roll.”
- “The replayability is very strong, with many endings depending on the factions you align with or antagonize during your playthrough, where you will eventually decide which group will determine the future of post-apocalyptic Nevada.”
- “Your choices truly matter, and the game offers multiple branching paths, encouraging replayability.”
- “The game offers so much replay value that anyone can easily sink 50+ hours into it.”
humor
2,236 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
99%
1%
The humor in "Fallout: New Vegas" is widely praised for its clever writing, dark undertones, and quirky characters, often drawing comparisons to the original Fallout games. Players appreciate the blend of absurdity and satire, with many noting the game's ability to balance serious themes with laugh-out-loud moments, particularly in the "Old World Blues" DLC. While some glitches can be frustrating, they often add to the comedic experience, making the game both entertaining and memorable.
- “The perfect marriage of Bethesda's immersive open world format with Obsidian's engrossing and hilarious writing.”
- “The writing is well done, featuring memorable characters, humor, and decisions that have real consequences.”
- “Old World Blues is by far the most zany and humorous DLC of the bunch, and it's one of the most beloved expansions.”
- “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
1,760 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
54%
43%
3%
The atmosphere of "Fallout: New Vegas" is widely praised for its immersive and nostalgic qualities, effectively blending the gritty post-apocalyptic setting with a unique western vibe. Players appreciate the game's rich sound design, including a nostalgic soundtrack that enhances the overall experience, while the Mojave wasteland is described as both haunting and vibrant, filled with diverse locations and engaging quests. Although some reviewers note that the atmosphere may not be as bleak or immersive as "Fallout 3," many agree that it successfully captures the essence of the original Fallout games, making it a standout title in the series.
- “The atmosphere is the best thing I could ask for.”
- “With its engaging quests and strong atmosphere, Fallout: New Vegas is one of the best RPGs ever made.”
- “The atmosphere is tense and claustrophobic, and the story’s twists and turns will keep you on edge.”
- “The atmosphere of the Mojave wasteland is both gritty and captivating.”
- “The atmosphere is alright, however it grows overbearing and the map can often feel very bland and empty.”
optimization
1,159 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
19%
51%
30%
The optimization of Fallout: New Vegas has been widely criticized, with many players reporting frequent crashes, stuttering, and performance issues, particularly on modern hardware. While some users have managed to achieve smoother gameplay through extensive modding, including performance-enhancing patches, the game is generally considered poorly optimized out of the box. Overall, players recommend installing various mods to mitigate these issues for a more enjoyable experience.
- “It alleviates the performance issues on newer hardware and makes it play like an actual video game instead of a self-torture simulator with a good story.”
- “The game is extremely unstable and buggy, but that's just the Bethesda special; download some optimization mods, and you're good to go for hundreds, if not thousands of hours.”
- “With the right setup, the game can run smoothly, though some technical hiccups may still occur.”
- “As a warning, this game barely works and you will suffer constant crashing and optimization issues without mods to fix it up.”
- “The only downside I have to give is that the game definitely suffers from performance issues for some people.”
- “This game is an unoptimized mess... but at least it came before the trend of 'early access' as an excuse to put out a rushed product to only later meet the bare minimum to make the crowd happy.”
grinding
462 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
1%
37%
62%
The grinding aspect of the game has received mixed feedback from players, with many describing it as tedious and time-consuming, particularly due to lengthy fetch quests and repetitive combat against damage sponges. While some players find the grinding rewarding and engaging, especially in terms of leveling up and completing quests, others feel it detracts from the overall enjoyment, making exploration and questing feel like a chore. Overall, the game requires a significant investment of time, often leading players to feel that they need "a second life" to fully engage with its content.
- “The leveling feels balanced and not too grindy to get what you want.”
- “Easy to play, no grinding, works on every computer.”
- “Imagine the awesomeness of old RPGs, but in a modern FPS style, and fast and gruesome, and not grindy.”
- “Actually playing the game was tedious in itself, a slog of walking around, pointing and shooting at damage sponges, not to mention the bugs-- even with the fan patch, the game is buggy as hell.”
- “Quests are unfathomably long and in several cases tedious, as well as enforce permanent things without you ever realizing.”
- “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.”
emotional
404 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
96%
4%
The emotional aspect of the game is widely praised for its depth and complexity, with many players expressing strong attachments to characters and storylines that evoke a range of feelings, from joy to heartbreak. The writing is noted for its heartfelt exploration of themes such as faith, survival, and the consequences of choices, particularly in the DLCs, which often leave a lasting emotional impact. However, some players feel that certain storylines lack emotional resonance, leading to mixed experiences regarding the game's overall emotional engagement.
- “I cried when having Lily in my party because she reminds me of my late nana.”
- “The writing is heartfelt, exploring themes of faith, survival, and the consequences of past actions.”
- “The relationships forged, the alliances formed, and the betrayals endured create an emotional investment that lingers long after the game is completed.”
- “Personally, I couldn't get into this game due to its boring story and visual quality.”
- “This is essentially Skyrim, rebranded and re-skinned with the most boring story and characters you have ever encountered in a gaming universe.”
- “Fallout 4 was sadly largely a disappointment with a relatively boring story, no real survival atmosphere, a small and largely homogenous map, and side quests that just felt too short, too straightforward, and boring, and just somehow loveless/unfinished despite great potential.”
character development
179 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
44%
54%
2%
Character development in "Fallout: New Vegas" is widely praised for its depth and complexity, offering players a rich narrative experience with meaningful choices that significantly impact the game. The writing, dialogue, and character interactions, particularly with companions, are highlighted as exceptional, creating memorable and emotionally engaging experiences. Players appreciate the freedom of character customization and the intricate relationships with various factions, making each playthrough unique and immersive.
- “The writing is top-tier, with some of the best dialogue and character development in any RPG.”
- “The storytelling is exceptional, with rich character development and choices that genuinely affect the game’s outcome.”
- “Character development is another highlight of New Vegas.”
- “The silent protagonist is a boring mute with no proper character development or valuable dialogue.”
- “My only real criticism of this game is the leveling speed; by the end of the base game, you've acquired enough skill points to nearly max out every skill, thereby becoming a jack of all trades and minimizing the character development decisions you've made.”
- “Its biggest disappointment is the inability to continue character development and exploration once the main quest is finished.”
monetization
130 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
3%
27%
70%
The monetization aspect of the game has received mixed feedback, with many users appreciating the absence of microtransactions, which contrasts sharply with recent titles from Bethesda. While some players express nostalgia for a time when games were less focused on monetization, others note the presence of in-game advertisements as a minor annoyance rather than a significant issue. Overall, the game is praised for providing a complete experience without the typical cash grab tactics seen in modern gaming.
- “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).”
- “After that, there's plenty to do and no pesky microtransactions or extreme load times to bother you.”
- “Bethesda has become obsessed with microtransactions and MMOs.”
- “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.”