We ranked all 8 Fallout games, so you know where to start

Fallout is one of the best franchises in gaming having been around for years. With lots to play, the series recently branched out from Bethesda-helmed projects and into areas like TV, pinball, andMagic the Gathering.

Fallout 76

You wouldn’t have thought a multiplayerFalloutgame would fail, and yet. When the game was initially released it was to disappointment from fans who wanted so much more. The world felt too empty, and the ability to personalise your experience was lacking. While the game hasn’t turned itself around likeNo Man’s Sky, the climb back up the mountain has started and fans began trickling back over the years.

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However, even now, the game can’t really decide what it is. It’s not a proper MMORPG, but it’s got more on its bones than a standard co-op mode. Sadly, it means the most recent release still falls short unless you’re playing with a good group of friends, but even then, it’s likely the fun will be short-lived.

Fallout 76

Fallout 76

Fallout Shelter

If you want Fallout on mobile devices and handhelds, this is really the best option unless you have a Steam Deck for the mainline games. Fallout Shelter is a lot of fun, but it’s a rather shallow experience. You get the chance to become an overseer and construct your own vault, monitor civilians - torture them if you want - it’s really an idle game that requires the odd input and it serves its purpose.

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There are moments of danger and certain situations you’ll have to think your way out of, plus it has a lovely aesthetic leaning into the 1950’s cartoon style of Vault Boy. While you’re not really getting the full Fallout experience, it’s a nice taste of the universe andFallout Sheltercan be played at the bus stop or during your morning poop, so have at it.

Fallout Shelter

Fallout Shelter

Fallout Tactics: Brotherhood of Steel

A tactical off-shoot, this isn’t an entry in the mainline but an exploration into a new genre for the series. Turn-based tactical RPG was an easy sidestep for Fallout, there was the scope to still tell an engaging story while also utilising the different characters and callbacks that fans loved.Fallout Tactics: Brotherhood of Steel, obviously, takes a closer look at the Brotherhood and expands the lore surrounding them. We didn’t only learn more about the suits of armour and the soldiers within, we got a great range of tactical missions to overcome.

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Not only that, but this was a genuinely funny game that revelled in the odd humour that comes with the franchise. It’s a very different story to the usual fare as Fallout generally revolves around a vault dweller, but as a short diversion, it’s worth visiting.

Fallout tactics

Fallout tactics

Fallout

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The simple style of isometric view, smaller world, and fewer NPCs make the story stand out. Fallout is here because of its legacy and because, if you can get past the visuals and the slightly wonky UI, it stands up and should be played today.

fallout 1

fallout 1

Fallout 2

There’s not a great deal to say aboutFallout 2. Essentially, it took everything from Fallout and made it better. While there wasn’t a lot of time in between the releases, the game engine was tweaked to look and feel smoother, making this feel like a proper upgrade.Fallout 2also began to play around with the world more, bringing in pop culture references, embracing the humour, and what we see as Fallout archetypes now were fully developed in this sequel.

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The story is set 80 years after the first game and you play as a direct descendant of the original vault dweller. The story wanders between being a saviour and having to fight the actual government and the narrative throughout these moments is consistently strong.

Fallout 2

Fallout 2

Fallout 4

However, on the flip side of that, the story was very linear in terms of narrative and it didn’t really do anything interesting. Oddly, Bethesda chose to remove things like the karma system which made companion interactions feel much more immersive and added a layer of depth. The companions themselves are great and the combat stepped up, but overall the game felt like a step backwards from the third installment.

fallout 4

fallout 4

Fallout 3

Which is where we go now. Many would put this entry behind the fourth and they could cite things like the older graphics and the age of the game generally, however, this entry was enjoyable, made even better after the DLC launched.Fallout 3was the franchises jump from 2D to 3D and took on a much bigger world when Bethesda took over responsibilities. It took everything that made the series great and polished it to a high degree.

Due to the inclusion of things like the karma system from the original games, plus the jump to a more action-based experience, it feels like a better overall game. There’s more to do, it’s a deeper RPG with a superior narrative that takes you through Washington D.C., and the politics of the wasteland. Compared to the fourth entry, this feels like a more traditional Fallout game, but in a new dimension.

Fallout 3

Fallout 3

Fallout: New Vegas

It’s interesting that the best Fallout game didn’t even come from Bethesda.Fallout: New Vegas, a spin-off from the main structure of the series, is inarguably the best Fallout you can play. It’s the best all-round RPG experience. Many would argue it’s not just the best Fallout experience, it’s just one of the best RPGs of all time.

New Vegas is a brilliant Fallout experience - strong narrative, brilliant humour, wonderful perk systems that make your character feel unique, and probably the most interesting version of the wasteland you’ll see.

New Vegas

New Vegas

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