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Fallout 3 PC
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Metascore
91 out of 100

Universal acclaim - based on 48 Critics What's this?

User Score
7.8 out of 10

Generally favorable reviews- based on 1319 Ratings

Your Score
10 out of 10
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  • Summary: [Metacritic's 2008 PC Game of the Year] Vault-Tec engineers have worked around the clock on an interactive reproduction of Wasteland life for you to enjoy from the comfort of your own vault. Included is an expansive world, unique combat, shockingly realistic visuals, tons of player choice, and an incredible cast of dynamic characters. Every minute is a fight for survival against the terrors of the outside world – radiation, Super Mutants, and hostile mutated creatures. From Vault-Tec, America's First Choice in Post Nuclear Simulation. Vault 101 - Jewel of the Wastes. For 200 years, Vault 101 has faithfully served the surviving residents of Washington DC and its environs, now known as the Capital Wasteland. Though the global atomic war of 2077 left the US all but destroyed, the residents of Vault 101 enjoy a life free from the constant stress of the outside world. Giant Insects, Raiders, Slavers, and yes, even Super Mutants are all no match for superior Vault-Tec engineering. Yet one fateful morning, you awake to find that your father has defied the Overseer and left the comfort and security afforded by Vault 101 for reasons unknown. Leaving the only home you've ever known, you emerge from the Vault into the harsh Wasteland sun to search for your father, and the truth. [Bethesda Softworks]… Expand

Critic Reviews

Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 45 out of 48
  2. Mixed: 3 out of 48
  3. Negative: 0 out of 48
  1. Thunderbolt
    100
    I hesitate to say, at this early stage, that this is actually a better game than either Fallout 1 or 2, but it very well may be; at the least, it is game-of-the-year material.
  2. Total PC Gaming
    100
    Vast, visceral and every inch of it is worthy of the highest acclaim. Pure genius. [Issue#14, p.48]
    All this publication's reviews
  3. Computer Games Online RO
    72
    The main quest is pretty short and unimpressive, but this was never the "backbone" of a Fallout game. I'd estimate that an uninterrupted run through the main story could take around 3-4 hours, while not being particularly juicy.

See all 48 Critic Reviews

User Reviews

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Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 316 out of 434
  2. Mixed: 46 out of 434
  3. Negative: 72 out of 434
  1. vaell
    9
    I think i need to defend my score for this game, this was my first Bethesda game to play since oblivion, so the retro style, the gameplay elements, the RPG backbone and the well crafted story caught me by surprise. Still, i have to recognize it gets repetitive and buggy at times, and that it was probably the game responsible for the actual stupidity of many game developers, with its interest in making money by DLC and beating franchises with sticks to see how much money they can get away with before having to start making decent (and complete) games again.… Expand
    • 2 of 2 users said yes
  2. qoobah
    6
    It all looks nice at the beginning. Then things (plot, repetitive world and tasks, so much to do but nothing I really WANT to do, or seems relevant to the story) go downhill so much, that after investing 30 hours into it I just couldnt bring myself to still be immersed or care about what I'm doing. I guess the keyword to this game is "repetitivness" in almost every aspect. The game was far too long and samey without any sign of overarching plot, or any incentive for me to care about it in the long run.… Expand
    • 4 of 4 users said yes
  3. xRadio
    4
    As a game, Fallout 3 is mediocre at best. As a Fallout game, it falls flat on it's face. It seems as though Bethesda really couldn't grasp what the feel of Fallout was supposed to be. Most of the environments were uninteresting, the characters really had no depth, the main quest line was a joke, RPG elements were incredibly weak (You could easily "break" the game becoming too powerful), the animation is just awful, and the writing and voice acting is cringe-worthy. The game can be enjoyable at times, but for the most part it's not a great follow-up to Fallout 2 or 1.… Expand
    • 4 of 6 users said yes

See all 434 User Reviews

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