which fallout is the best?
Putting the greatest Fallout games in order is definitely no easy task. After all, there have been many outstanding entries in the series over the years, along with many modifications and upgrades. The series clearly has a long and complex history, going from the first games produced by developer Interplay to the most recent Bethesda RPGs. Everyone will have a different view about which post-apocalyptic adventure is the best because it has such a rich history.
Even so, we can all agree that Fallout fans are living through an exciting moment. In addition to the confirmed release of Fallout 5, one of the future Bethesda games, we also have the highly anticipated release of Fallout season 2 on Amazon Prime, which we praised in our review of the Fallout TV series. Additionally, Fallout 4 received the next-generation upgrade in 2024.
In other words, there has never been a better moment to consider the series. So grab a bottle of Nuka Cola and come along as we go over our list of the top Fallout games.
The Game Award For Best Adaptation
Fallout 4™
Fallout 4, developed by Bethesda Game Studios, is an open-world RPG set in the post-apocalyptic ruins of Boston. As the sole survivor of Vault 111, players must rebuild and shape the future of the Wasteland. The game offers a vast world filled with unique locations, factions, and quests, allowing players to forge their own path. With the S.P.E.C.I.A.L. system, players can customize their character, unlocking skills and perks to match their playstyle. Whether using V.A.T.S. for tactical combat or engaging in real-time action, Fallout 4 delivers an immersive and dynamic experience.
| Platform | PC, PS4, Xbox One |
| Release Date | November 10, 2015 |
| Developer | Bethesda Game Studios |
| Publisher | Bethesda Softworks |
| Genre | Action RPG |
| ESRB | M for Mature: Blood and Gore, Intense Violence, Strong Language, Use of Drugs |
| How Long To Finish | 27 Hours |
| X|S ENHANCED | No |
| METASCORE | 88 |
The best Fallout games Of All Time
1. Fallout: New Vegas
- Released: 2010
- Developer: Obsidian Entertainment
The game was, in fact, rigged from the beginning. Fallout: New Vegas is surely one of the greatest role-playing games ever made and a near-perfect model of what an RPG should be. You take on the role of a Mojave Express courier who sets out to deliver a strange product in one of the best openings in video game history. You are left for dead after being caught in an ambush while traveling. That is a kick to the head, isn’t it? Before you realize it, you’re tied to something much more serious.
You have complete control over the course of events from the beginning. Along the journey, you’ll come across a variety of shady characters in New Vegas, along with competing factions, decisions that have consequences, and an incredible main storyline. If you choose to get involved, it’s up to you. The New California Republic (NCR), Caesar’s Legion, and the mysterious Mr. House are the three main powers fighting for control of the Mojave Wasteland. With some of the best NPCs in the entire game, it’s certainly one of the most memorable Fallout experiences.
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2. Fallout 3
- Released: 2008
- Developer: Bethesda Game Studios
Fallout 3 genuinely altered the game, even though the transition from Fallout to 2 wasn’t that drastic. The series was transformed from a 2D RPG to a 3D open-world experience unlike any other by Bethesda’s pioneering installment, which opened up the vast Wasteland and gave us a first-person viewpoint. Many of the game’s iconic features, such dialogue options, Karma, and special skills, were still present, but we also witnessed the initial release of some new features, like the VATS assisted targeting system.
The setting’s political divisions and groups give Fallout’s world a deeper sense of immersion, and the rich world is a carefully detailed simulation of a post-apocalyptic Washington, DC. Even though Fallout 3 is more than ten years old, it still functions incredibly well, which is evidence of how excellent it is.
3. Fallout 4
- Released: 2015
- Developer: Bethesda Game Studios
It should come as no surprise that the most recent addition to our list of the top Xbox One games has so much to offer. There are plenty of activities to engage in, ranging from creating your own communities to discovering fascinating side quests. However, despite hours of fun gameplay, Fallout 4 still feels oddly incomplete. The Karma feature is one of the important features from earlier editions that is missing. In addition, even while the main storyline is good, it feels more imposed than any other Fallout main questline.
The ability to design your own path is one of Fallout’s many wonderful features. And yeah, you get to construct your character, but their fate is already sealed here. As a parent, you must locate your lost son. Even if there is still plenty of opportunity to deviate from the usual path, you still feel constrained. It’s a wonderful game anyway, with the best combat in any Fallout title, but it just feels like it’s missing that special something.
4. Fallout 2
- Released: 1998
- Developer: Black Isle Studios
Fallout 2 utilized what its predecessor had created and refined its foundations to give something greater and better, even if there weren’t many changes from the original game. The sequel, which is more approachable in certain ways, is often regarded as the series’ classic opening.
You take on the role of the immediate descendent of the previous Vault occupant in this Fallout game, which is set 80 years after the events of the original Fallout. As the ‘Chosen One,’ you go to Vault 13 to get the Garden of Eden Creation kit (GECK). It doesn’t exactly go as planned, though, as is typical. While it retains many of the same old familiar features, it does away with some of Fallout’s more annoying factors like time limits on quest completion. This used to be the best of the Wastelands before Fallout evolved into what it is now.
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5. Fallout
- Released: 1997
- Developer: Interplay Inc
Making the most of V.A.T.S. is the main goal of Death Incarnate. Your main stats are perception, agility, and luck. The main V.A.T.S. perks that give this build its absurd power are Better Criticals, Critical Banker, Grim Reaper’s Sprint, Four Leaf Clover, Action Boy/Girl, Gun-Fu, Concentrated Fire, and Mysterious Stranger.
Returning to its origins, Fallout established the framework for the beloved retro-futuristic world that we all know today. You settle in Vault 13, which is set in the year 2161. When the vault is threatened, you go into the Wasteland to defend it. The top-down RPG design may first turn off many fans who discovered the series later, but it was a crucial game in its own right for setting up a lot of what we see in later entries.
6. Fallout Tactics: Brotherhood of Steel
- Released: 2001
- Developer: 14° East
When you first start your life as a recruit for the Brotherhood of Steel, who could forget Paladin Ryczek drilling you? A well-executed departure from the series, the turned-based RPG exposes the wastelands to a marginally different genre of play. Fallout Tactics is truly on its own since it doesn’t continue the plot of earlier games. The turn-based strategic element may not be to everyone’s taste of Nuka-Cola. However, the fact that it offers you multiple options contributes to the difficulty of the experience.
The voice acting is excellent, and to be honest, Ryczek’s opening statement, “The Elders have ordered me to mold you flabby, hip slapping, berry picking, rat rubbing, Brahman kissers into capable warriors,” is among the most memorable lines in any Fallout game. That is one way to boost your motivation! It’s still worth looking into, even though joining the Brotherhood of Steel doesn’t provide you as much freedom as living in a vault.
7. Fallout Shelter
- Released: 2017
- Developer: Bethesda Game Studios
Have you ever wished you were an Overseer? Fallout Shelter, a spin-off that connects to the wastelands, is an excellent free-to-play management simulation that will captivate you with its sense of progression. Being one of the greatest free games, it hardly ever tries to charge you real money and gives you a lot of in-game money. In essence, it’s a more complex version of Tamagotchi in which you build your own vault and tend to its occupants by improving it to enhance their quality of life.
Before making its way to PCs and consoles, it was first developed for mobile devices. Its simply addictive mechanics make it enjoyable and accessible for gamers of all skill levels. Even though it’s obviously much smaller in scope, it still earns a spot on this list since it’s a cute little Fallout game with the Vault Boy’s distinctive style and animations that any Fallout fan would enjoy.
8. Fallout 76
- Released: 2018
- Developer: Bethesda Game Studios
The concept of an online multiplayer Fallout game is very appealing in principle. But in reality, Fallout 76 lacks some of the wonder and joy of its predecessors. Bugs and broken quests made the lonely world even more frustrating at launch, and the lack of NPCs really took away the sense we’re so accustomed to in the series.
It has gone a long way since launch, and to its credit, it has become better since then. The addition of NPCs makes it feel more alive than it did before, and it can be fun to dip in and out of if you have some nice friends to play with. sadly, the most recent chapter in the series lacks the same level of appeal as its predecessors.
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- The Game Award For Best Adaptation 2025: Buy Fallout 4™ Online
Fallout 4 Best Power Armor | FAQs
Is Fallout 4 better or 76?
If you prefer a solo experience with a solid narrative, Fallout 4 is better. If you enjoy multiplayer and ongoing content, Fallout 76 is the way to go. Fallout 4 is a single-player RPG with a strong story, mod support, and deep NPC interactions, while Fallout 76 is an online multiplayer game with survival mechanics, frequent updates, and a shared world.
Is Fallout 4 or New Vegas better?
If you prefer role-playing depth and branching stories, New Vegas is better. If you want smoother gameplay and exploration, Fallout 4 is the better choice. Fallout: New Vegas offers deeper RPG mechanics, better writing, and more player choices, while Fallout 4 has improved combat, better graphics, and a larger open world.
Which Fallout game has the best story?
Fallout: New Vegas is widely considered to have the best story, thanks to its deep role-playing choices, multiple factions, and morally complex decisions. Its branching narrative and strong writing make it stand out among Fallout games.
