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Wasteland 2

An old school RPG that you can really sink your teeth into. There are hours of combat and questing to be had, and with a little more presentational polish, Wasteland 2 could’ve been something really special.
Wasteland 2 Game Cover
81%Game Brain Score
story, gameplay
stability, grinding
81% User Score Based on 6,190 reviews
Critic Score 80%Based on 12 reviews

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Wasteland 2 Game Cover

About

Wasteland 2 is a single player survival role playing game with a science fiction theme. It was developed by inXile Entertainment and was released on September 18, 2014. It received mostly positive reviews from critics and positive reviews from players.

Wasteland 2: Director's Cut is a post-apocalyptic RPG, serving as the sequel to the original 1988 game. Experience over 80 hours of gameplay, making strategic decisions with permanent consequences and customizing your Desert Ranger squad with a vast array of weapons. Explore a highly reactive world with hundreds of characters and thousands of appearance options, ensuring no two playthroughs are the same.

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Wasteland 2 screenshot
Wasteland 2 screenshot
Wasteland 2 screenshot
Wasteland 2 screenshot
Wasteland 2 screenshot
Wasteland 2 screenshot
Wasteland 2 screenshot
Wasteland 2 screenshot
Wasteland 2 screenshot
Wasteland 2 screenshot
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81%
Audience ScoreBased on 6,190 reviews
story840 positive mentions
stability262 negative mentions
  • Engaging story with meaningful choices that impact the game world.
  • Deep character customization and a variety of skills to explore.
  • Fun turn-based combat that encourages strategic planning.
  • Clunky camera controls and outdated graphics detract from the experience.
  • Some skills are underwhelming or redundant, leading to poor character builds.
  • Frequent bugs and crashes, especially in the Director's Cut version.
  • story
    2,820 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The story in Wasteland 2 is generally well-received, with many players appreciating its depth, engaging characters, and the moral complexity of choices that significantly impact the narrative. However, some critiques highlight issues with pacing, linearity, and bugs that can disrupt quest progression, leading to frustration. Overall, while the main storyline may not be groundbreaking, the side quests and character interactions provide a rich and immersive experience for fans of classic RPGs.

    • “The story is very unique, and in my opinion, very immersive.”
    • “The story is well written, the choices are set in stone and there is normally no wrong answer.”
    • “The story is huge, the choices are real, the combat is deadly.”
    • “Everything feels really flat and linear - both story and gameplay.”
    • “The story is chopped down to small portions, and while surely, surely, it's about making some actions unknowingly and taking the responsibility for the outcome, it's usually a choice between a normal scenario and a rotten one.”
    • “The main story itself is fairly run of the mill - go here, set up this, move onto here and continue.”
  • gameplay
    1,210 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The gameplay of Wasteland 2 is a mix of old-school RPG mechanics and modern design, offering a deep, turn-based combat system with extensive character customization and a variety of skills. While many players appreciate the strategic elements and the engaging story, they also highlight significant flaws such as clunky mechanics, frequent bugs, and a reliance on RNG that can lead to frustrating experiences. Overall, the game provides a nostalgic feel reminiscent of classic titles like Fallout, but it struggles with execution and polish, leading to a mixed reception among players.

    • “I came for the turn-based gameplay but ended up loving the role-playing, the exploration, and the charming interesting NPCs.”
    • “The gameplay is very open and the story is flexible.”
    • “The gameplay is fantastic; it takes all of the good things from all the greats like Fallout, XCOM, and of course Jagged Alliance 1 & 2 and mashes it all up into this fantastic game that also looks very stylish, which really helps immerse you in its wonderfully crafted world.”
    • “Everything feels really flat and linear - both story and gameplay.”
    • “Gameplay ruined with weapon jam after weapon jam after weapon jam - who thought this frequency was a fun idea?”
    • “The mechanics are annoying and the graphics will make you wonder if it isn't still 2007.”
  • graphics
    916 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The graphics of the game have received mixed reviews, with many players noting that while they are not cutting-edge, they are adequate for the genre and evoke a nostalgic feel reminiscent of classic RPGs like Fallout. Some players appreciate the art style and overall aesthetic, while others criticize the graphics as outdated and lacking polish, with issues such as low-resolution textures and repetitive character models. Overall, the consensus is that while the graphics may not be the main draw, they do not significantly detract from the gameplay experience, which remains the primary focus for many players.

    • “The graphics have held up well the last (almost) 7 years.”
    • “Graphically, there is a beautiful palette of colors, gorgeous lighting effects and wonderful textures used whether you're journeying across the barren desert, visiting a post-nuclear settlement or traipsing through some dilapidated pre-war building.”
    • “Between the brilliant writing, perfected gameplay, and beautiful graphics, this game is one that everyone can and will enjoy!”
    • “The graphics really detract from this game; everything is brown and bland with low detail.”
    • “The graphics are weak and the camera sucks pretty much.”
    • “The graphics are awful for the current generation of games, but the environments are well thought out enough to really ignore that type of problem; besides, as one review pointed out, if you're playing this game you aren't playing it because it's pretty.”
  • humor
    402 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The humor in the game is a blend of dark, wacky, and sometimes juvenile elements, reminiscent of classic titles like Fallout, with a rich tapestry of pop culture references and clever writing. Players appreciate the balance of serious themes with comedic moments, though opinions vary on the effectiveness of certain jokes, with some finding them forced or overly simplistic. Overall, the game is praised for its engaging narrative and the way it integrates humor into its post-apocalyptic setting, making for a unique and entertaining experience.

    • “Rich with atmosphere, story, and witty humor.”
    • “It is hilarious and gritty, and you pay dearly for your mistakes, so be wise in your actions.”
    • “The writing is funny and quirky, and there are just an incredible amount of easter eggs that reference the developers' obvious love for sci-fi, fantasy, pen and paper role-playing games, and late 20th-century pop culture.”
    • “The designs, visuals, and fonts are ugly and less inspired than those from Fallout 1. The jokes are not funny, and making 'in your face' fun of other games while implying yours is better is like the Uwe Boll tier of cheapness.”
  • stability
    274 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The game is widely criticized for its numerous bugs and glitches, which significantly impact gameplay and enjoyment. While some players report that it is playable and fun despite these issues, many express frustration with game-breaking bugs, particularly in later stages. Overall, the stability of the game is considered poor, with frequent crashes and inconsistent performance across different platforms.

    • “The game seems to run fast and largely bug-free.”
    • “Runs great on Linux.”
    • “18 hours on record with nothing but bug-free smooth gameplay.”
    • “This half-breed between XCOM and Fallout could have been more than an excellent game were it not so terribly buggy to the point that mechanics, side quests, NPCs, etc. just don't work properly to be able to actually enjoy the game for what it was meant to be.”
    • “Buggy as all hell, even in its director's cut form - and this is basically what stopped me from finishing it.”
    • “The game is unpolished and buggy.”
  • atmosphere
    228 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The atmosphere of the game is widely praised for its immersive and gritty post-apocalyptic setting, reminiscent of classic titles like Fallout. Players appreciate the rich storytelling, unique character interactions, and atmospheric music that enhance the overall experience, although some note that graphical fidelity can detract from immersion. Overall, the game successfully captures a compelling atmosphere that resonates with fans of the genre, making it a standout feature.

    • “The atmosphere of the game is fantastic - the wasteland is a mess and it feels like the world after a nuclear war.”
    • “The atmosphere in this game is amazing; each settlement you visit is a unique location tied to a backstory.”
    • “The grim, post-apocalyptic atmosphere pulls the player into the wasteland, while the fleshed-out characters and story firmly root the player in this universe for hours on end.”
    • “It lacks the atmosphere and immersion of Fallout 1, 2, Arcanum, and Atom RPG.”
    • “Its empty product with flat story, no atmosphere, chaotic dialogue system and lots of bugs.”
    • “The graphical fidelity is something that struck me almost straight away and remains the elephant in the room the entire time, it's incredibly jarring and blows away immersion from the outset, the lack of atmosphere in the game is truly disappointing considering it's a game that would have benefitted exponentially from some sense of environmental depth of scene.”
  • music
    182 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The music in the game, primarily composed by Mark Morgan, is praised for its atmospheric quality and ability to enhance the post-apocalyptic setting, drawing comparisons to the soundtracks of the original Fallout games. While many players find the score engaging and fitting, some critique it for being repetitive and lacking variety over extended playtime. Overall, the soundtrack is considered a strong aspect of the game, contributing significantly to its immersive experience.

    • “The music is fantastic and fits the setting, with different tracks for different areas.”
    • “Speaking of sound, Mark Morgan's original soundtrack is just phenomenal and complements quite well the interesting storyline and bleak theme of this terrific RPG.”
    • “The atmosphere, music, and storyline in this game are awesome!”
    • “The music isn't great; it gets annoying after a while.”
    • “There is next to no music, and it's a killing blow to the mood.”
    • “Music is pretty dull and much of the same.”
  • replayability
    166 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The game boasts high replayability, with many players praising its branching storylines, multiple endings, and the impact of player choices on gameplay. While some reviews suggest it may not support endless replayability, the variety of character customizations and hidden content encourages players to return for different experiences. Overall, it is regarded as a game with significant replay value, offering dozens of hours of exploration and diverse paths to explore.

    • “This is a wide open world with many different choices that do have consequences, but you are able to save the game and change your choices if you wish, so the game has replayability as well.”
    • “Dozens of choices throughout the story add loads of replay value and customization.”
    • “Never have I played a game that captures the imaginative qualities of a book, with the playstyle of Final Fantasy Tactics and the backdrop of Fallout... this game has huge replayability with seemingly endless opportunities to change the path you're on.”
    • “I know that's meant for replayability but let's face it, this game is only good enough for one playthrough and that's it.”
    • “Alas, it has almost no replayability, due to the quests being quite limited and the storyline only going down one path.”
    • “The game is not a roguelike though, and it isn't designed for endless replayability - I think that there are about 2-3 playthroughs' worth of material in the game (provided you like it enough to replay it), and no more, so I'd advise against blind ironman play.”
  • grinding
    152 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The reviews overwhelmingly describe the grinding aspect of the game as tedious and frustrating, with many players feeling that the gameplay becomes a slog, particularly in the early to mid-game. While some note that leveling up can feel rewarding, the overall experience is marred by repetitive tasks, excessive micromanagement, and a lack of engaging content, leading to a sense of boredom and dissatisfaction. Despite some improvements in the director's cut, many still find the game to be a chore rather than an enjoyable RPG experience.

    • “I gave it every chance I could, but the game is a tedious chore.”
    • “The game is tedious and boring as hell.”
    • “Bottom line, this game just isn't fun; it's tedious and very frustrating.”
  • character development
    94 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    Character development in the game is generally praised for its depth and the variety of skills and abilities available, allowing for meaningful choices that impact gameplay. However, some players find the character design options lacking in customization and the leveling system to be overly complex or punishing, which can detract from the overall experience. While the narrative and world-building aspects are compelling, the execution of character development can feel inconsistent, with some players expressing frustration over the non-intuitive nature of optimal character builds.

    • “Fantastic story, great character development!”
    • “Character development is excellent, with all skills and abilities being useful (some a little more than others).”
    • “You'll get 50+ hours of exploration in a single playthrough, gradual character development, etc. It's also got replay value, considering there are a few choices that you have to make that alter the game quite a bit.”
    • “Miss chances just don't belong in a game like this - especially not if they are tied this closely to character development in the form of skill points which are rare and spread out.”
    • “Too many and too much leveling that kind of makes the character development less meaningful.”
    • “There's no room for character development or finding your own identity.”
  • optimization
    72 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    Overall, the game's optimization has received significant criticism, with many players reporting severe performance issues, including frame rate drops and crashes, even on capable systems. Character stat optimization is also a major concern, as players often find themselves needing to restart campaigns due to poor initial configurations. While some aspects of the game run smoothly, the general consensus is that it requires substantial improvements in both performance and graphical optimization to meet player expectations.

    • “Character creation has a lot of flexibility, but there is a very clear way to optimize it and that optimization is almost necessary because of how many skills you need.”
    • “This game played well with decent performance in all situations without measuring FPS on low settings.”
    • “So there are still some gameplay issues to fix, but the game works, runs smoothly and does everything you expect it to do.”
    • “One huge pitfall (that required me to restart the campaign a few hours in) is that your starting stat configuration is hugely important and you really have no idea how to invest your points starting out, so there's a 0% probability your squad will be properly optimized your first run through unless you use a guide.”
    • “Inxile gives a 'fix' of running the game in DX9 on forums and their site, but it causes bad graphical glitches and kills performance, so it's hardly a fix.”
    • “Poorly optimized game and definitely not worth $60 for a beta.”
  • emotional
    50 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The emotional aspect of the game elicits mixed responses from players, with some praising its ability to create nostalgic feelings and emotional engagement through character interactions and gripping quests, while others criticize the writing and story for lacking depth and failing to foster a strong emotional connection. The soundtrack is highlighted as a significant contributor to the game's emotional tone, yet many players feel that the overall experience is marred by a dull narrative and uninspired gameplay. Ultimately, the game seems to resonate deeply with some, while leaving others feeling disconnected and unfulfilled.

    • “Now please excuse me, as the culmination of the last 50 hours has left me emotionally weak but very happy.”
    • “Character interaction is wonderfully done with NPCs and companions; I find myself compelled to interact with them due to their interesting personality and emotional depth.”
    • “From the moment I entered the world of Wasteland 2, I felt emotionally engaged in so many ways and learned what kind of people live here.”
    • “Boring storyline, boring characters, cliches all over the place, nothing really new.”
    • “Well, I've been playing this game for a while and it has a lot of potential, but as it is now, the story is very boring. I feel like it's trying to be a survival game, but it's not. The story is dull and the combat is good but could be better. I love challenging combat, but the leveling up system makes my character feel ineffective. After leveling up multiple times and putting all my skill points into one area, it feels like it didn't help at all. My character is level 30 and barely able to hit anything. The characters feel like they just started shooting. The game has potential, but it needs a flashier beginning, better combat, and more focus on the characters.”
    • “Boring gameplay, boring story, crippled interface.”
  • monetization
    18 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The game's monetization model is praised for being free of ads, microtransactions, and traditional DLC, which contrasts sharply with the current industry trends. Players appreciate the humor in the game's satirical take on monetization, particularly a joke about a $49.99 DLC, while some express frustration over the lack of additional paid content. Overall, the game is seen as a refreshing departure from cash-grab tactics, though some players feel its difficulty and length may not appeal to everyone.

    • “No ads, no freemium game manipulation, no fake AAA title rip-off.”
    • “No stupid microtransactions or DLC, just free stuff.”
    • “No ads, no freemium game manipulation, no fake AAA title rip-off.”
    • “Clearly a cash grab with a hidden objective to try to set a precedent that the price of Kickstarter should apply to sales once that is over, including logic that is childish. See the forum pinned discussion.”
    • “I'm getting a bit tired of games (and reviewers) advertising this when all you get is some different slideshow ending with narrative at the end of the game.”
    • “In the days where prerelease games are advertising DLC to push the price of games up and over the $100 mark, it made for a good laugh.”
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80%Critics’ scoreBased on 12 critic reviews
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50h Median play time
56h Average play time
41h Main story
100h Completionist
20-100h Spent by most gamers
*Based on 126 analyzed playthroughs
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Frequently Asked Questions

Wasteland 2 is a survival role playing game with science fiction theme.

Wasteland 2 is available on Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 4, Windows, PC and others.

The main story can be completed in around 41 hours, while the entire game is estimated to take about 100 hours to finish. On average players spend around 56 hours playing Wasteland 2.

Wasteland 2 was released on September 18, 2014.

Wasteland 2 was developed by inXile Entertainment.

Wasteland 2 has received positive reviews from players. Most players liked this game for its story but disliked it for its stability.

Wasteland 2 is a single player game.

Similar games include Wasteland 3, Atom RPG, ATOM RPG: Post-apocalyptic indie game, Encased, Expeditions: Viking and others.