Metascore

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

User Score

Generally favorable reviews- based on 1790 Ratings

  • 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
Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 45 out of 48
  2. Negative: 0 out of 48
  1. 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. Vast, visceral and every inch of it is worthy of the highest acclaim. Pure genius. [Issue#14, p.48]
  3. This is a good game. It’s a really good game. It’s only failing is that it has a mark of greatness upon it and, ever so cruelly, fails to completely achieve it.
  4. 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

Score distribution:
  1. Negative: 78 out of 499
  1. I absolutely love this game, I have played it over and over again and it still doesn't get boring. I'm not to sure what keeps me in it, maybe the ability to mod at your will or just the fact you can do what ever the heck you want. Yes, there is bugs, but there are mods to fix that. I'll admit the vanilla game of this can be pretty dull, but when you add mods its epic and never ending. The story line is a little short, but still fun. There is defiantly more than enough place to explore, quests to find, and loot. Expand
  2. AlexT.
    8
    Fun game, I've liked it so far and I think it's better than oblivion in many, many ways, voice acting is juiced up, atmosphere is breath-taking. All in all it's a solid, fun game. BethesdaSUX, Fallout 3 was made by Bethesda, -not- Black Isle, you can't expect to play the exact same game you did over 10 years ago. And why would you want to? And to have a go at the inconsistency is just nit-picking. It's like you Fallout 1/2 die-hards go out to get this game, just to find every possible way you can criticize it. Expand
  3. I love the story, the landscape, and the end of days atmosphere. It´s also the reason why i play it always in ego-shooter perspective, because if not the game loose all the magic. The animation of the character is so ridicoulous. And there are a plenty of game who manage to give realistic movement, but not Bethesda Programmers. I think a good investment were a Motion Capture System! Please do it. Like Dark Souls, were the animations and gravity of the character are almost perfect!!! And then Fallout 3 will be the best game ever :-) Expand
  4. Oh, dear, oh, dear... I tried to love this game so hard... I'm just going to say sorry for the guys that love this game. You have the right to love it, it's fair, but it seems that you either got spoiled by modern game industry or didn't know the beauty of TRUE Fallout universe. Bethesda needs to understand, that not every game that it does needs to be done in the same manner. In the end Fallout started to look like The Elder Scrolls after a while. Please, do not misunderstand me, I love TES, but it's design is unique and suitable only for itself. Bethesda seems to think otherwise. Fallout 3 turned out to be more of a shooter, than an RPG. And when I say that, I mean: 90% shooter, 10% RPG. And in the end: it's certainly isn't the best of both world, but a bad example of adapting a series. The game may be enjoyable for new gamers, but for the old school type of gamers this will be a huge disappointment. I'm still in shock trying to figure out why it's score is better than Fallout 2's... Expand

See all 499 User Reviews

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