Fallout Shelter

 iOS
User Score
6.6

Mixed or average reviews- based on 219 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 107 out of 219
  2. Mixed: 65 out of 219
  3. Negative: 47 out of 219
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  1. c0ld3st
    Aug 19, 2015
    10
    This is a really fun game with a great personality. I really like that you can equip and rename and train individual dwellers. It really adds something to the simple resource generation basis of the game. It makes the experience much more 'personal', if you want to make it that way.

    Ignore all the people who are complaining that it's p2w. You get enough lunchboxes from completing in    This is a really fun game with a great personality. I really like that you can equip and rename and train individual dwellers. It really adds something to the simple resource generation basis of the game. It makes the experience much more 'personal', if you want to make it that way.

    Ignore all the people who are complaining that it's p2w. You get enough lunchboxes from completing in game 'quests' that you can easily build a successful vault. My first vault was over 120 occupants without spending any money. You just have to take the time to plan and resist the temptation to build too quickly and over extend your power.

    My second vault I bought lunchboxes. Usually, If I spend several hours on a free game, I try to give back a little. The purchase made everything very easy, as my dwellers were well equipped and I had more 'rare' dwellers.

    I would recommend this game strongly to anyone who likes builder type sims, and also anyone who likes the fallout universe.    … Expand
  2. FrostGames
    Jun 29, 2015
    10
    The best game of this kind just for one reason: completely optional IAP, in contrast to the "Tiny..." series that are full of it. And also has the FallOut vibe. RECOMMENDED.
  3. benjiman75
    Aug 4, 2015
    10
    Great game that captivates and keeps you glued to the screen with its simpleness yet difficulties you can be stuck to this game for a day and only think its been an hour! Defiantly recumbent it
  4. X_Gizmo_X
    Aug 12, 2015
    10
    This is one of the best mobile games I have ever had the honor to play. It is unlike any other building game. In my case I find the game to be unique with an art style perfectly suited for what the game is.
  5. XDavidX
    Nov 23, 2015
    10
    The game is just amazing. I love play this game. For me this game is amazing ! Nothing more to comment because this game is amazing ! I rate this 10/10
  6. DigitalDivision
    Aug 5, 2016
    10
    Fallout Shelter is a addictive game that u will never missed each day when u start playing it, but the design are absolutely great and this isn't like u will spend everything and u gotta use some things wisely, the quests are great and I like the new enemies, also the pets are the best, so I give this a 9/10
  7. BobaMarjanoic
    Jul 4, 2021
    10
    This review contains spoilers, click expand to view. Fallout Shelter is a very good game, better than any of those stupid microtransaction games. Its worth getting it!… Expand
  8. TheQuietGamer
    Jul 24, 2016
    9
    An interesting spin-off for the Fallout franchise that puts you in control of your very own vault. It's your job to build it, grow it, and keep the inhabitants happy. Things like crafting, collecting supplies, and sending your vault dwellers out on quests really capture the feel of the Fallout universe.

    The free-to-play nature of it is handled incredibly well. You really can do    An interesting spin-off for the Fallout franchise that puts you in control of your very own vault. It's your job to build it, grow it, and keep the inhabitants happy. Things like crafting, collecting supplies, and sending your vault dwellers out on quests really capture the feel of the Fallout universe.

    The free-to-play nature of it is handled incredibly well. You really can do everything and not spend any money. The microtransactions are barely noticeable. You can still feel like you are making progress while waiting on the timers.

    Various updates have removed the need for almost constant attention the game required before. Now you can take some time off and not have to worry about your vault being in horrible shape when you return. They finally fixed it where you can pick up play it whenever you feel like rather than having your time with it being dominated by the game's needy nature.

    It's a completely free-to-play spin-off that feels completely part of the Fallout universe. Building and managing your very own vault can be a blast. The pick up and play at your own leisure nature of it makes it worth a look for any Fallout fan. It's also worth a look for those who enjoy these kinds of building sims and don't want to feel like it's constantly shaking you down for money.    … Expand
  9. BrushedRed
    Jun 17, 2015
    9
    Think Tiny Tower without being a total rip-off. Surprisingly, and I could be wrong, they haven't tried to make me pay for extra coins or anything. It's kinda like Tiny Tower in that you build a shelter, but overall it's so much more. You can get characters to explore the wasteland as others grow up and work in the shelter. It's kinda hard to first get into and can seem overwhelming butThink Tiny Tower without being a total rip-off. Surprisingly, and I could be wrong, they haven't tried to make me pay for extra coins or anything. It's kinda like Tiny Tower in that you build a shelter, but overall it's so much more. You can get characters to explore the wasteland as others grow up and work in the shelter. It's kinda hard to first get into and can seem overwhelming but it's also very adaptable. I love this game series and it's a fun little addition to get me prepared for Fallout 4… Expand
  10. JoshLuck1995
    Jun 19, 2015
    9
    This is the best mobile game ever made. I am playing it on my iPhone 5s, I do not own an ipad so i cannot say how performance is on that but from what ive played (a few days worth now) its simply amazing. This is the first mobile game i have ever got into as im not really a fan of iOS games but this has me hooked and i even spent 17 pound in game! IF this game has this effect on me then iThis is the best mobile game ever made. I am playing it on my iPhone 5s, I do not own an ipad so i cannot say how performance is on that but from what ive played (a few days worth now) its simply amazing. This is the first mobile game i have ever got into as im not really a fan of iOS games but this has me hooked and i even spent 17 pound in game! IF this game has this effect on me then i cannot imagine what it will do if your a hardcore mobile gaming fan!!!!!!!… Expand
  11. nutzip
    Jun 20, 2015
    9
    Great game if you love fallout!!! a little slow paced but fun beng an oversear of a vault.Learn peoples stats and put them in the right job to get good resources
  12. miniwolfen
    Jul 2, 2016
    9
    The best free to play game out there is this one. Its easy to play and get into, fun and enjoyable. Fallout shelter is fun because no one is competing against you other than yourself. It is the best free to play game. Pick it up if you can!
  13. rodericrinehart
    Jun 19, 2015
    8
    Very fun mobile game with no pay-to-win and can be enjoyed completely offline. As far as mobile games go (which I score differently than console and PC), it is pretty damn good. Other great ones: Hearthstone, Hitman Go, Plants vs Zombies, Plague Inc., Kingdom Rush, Monument Valley.
  14. Skarwind
    Aug 19, 2015
    8
    I'm reviewing the Android version of this game since metacritic has yet to add that to the list. Thankfully the game was ported over to the Android OS and I have to say that it is a very well made game. The first thing that hit me when I loaded it up was that there were micro transactions. At first I was upset that Bethesda had chosen to take this route in the free to play market, but thenI'm reviewing the Android version of this game since metacritic has yet to add that to the list. Thankfully the game was ported over to the Android OS and I have to say that it is a very well made game. The first thing that hit me when I loaded it up was that there were micro transactions. At first I was upset that Bethesda had chosen to take this route in the free to play market, but then I realized that unlike most FTP games on mobile devices, this one wasn't pay to win.

    The lunchbox idea seems like something a Pay to win game would use but thankfully Bethesda decided not to screw over its customers. You technically never even need to open one up in order to do well and in a timely fashion. Most games seem to feel like they are geared towards being a more rewarding experience when you support the company, but Bethesda make it feel more like you are tipping a waiter or waitress a well deserved tip.

    Now moving on to the game. It's a simple micro manage your own civilization style of game. You build rooms deeper and deeper into the mountain side as you gain more vault dwellers by having your dwellers do the dirty deed or gaining them as they show up at your doorstep. You need to manage food, power, and water to keep them happy and productive. The game sticks to the traditional Fallout motif in using the SPECIAL system to benefit different rooms/wasteland exploration (should you choose to send your people out into the wild for supplies, caps, and exp). It also keeps the art aesthetic and music of the series.

    The graphics shouldn't test the limits of your smart phone or tablet and according to some websites the game can even be emulated on PCs using an Android emulator (so yay for that). Many are complaining about the controls being a little testy on the smart phone side of the game but over time these should be fixed. For now you may encounter the occasional bug where you can't select a vault dweller unless you close and reopen the game or even a bug where your vault door will stay open (I have no idea if this actually affects the game or not as I didn't want to test it out).

    It's an addicting game that will make you constantly want to keep an eye on your little mountain side village. You'll encounter Rad Roach invasions, Raider attacks, and if you are very unlucky, a Devil Claw attack. You'll have to equip your people with the appropriate weapons and clothing to survive and move them room to room based on threats and other situations.

    Ultimately this is a free to play game that requires nothing other than your time. There are no in game ads (for those who don't want to pay) and the only thing you ever may want to give Bethesda other than your cash is a vote on the game's respective marketplace. So give it a try and I think you will be surprised how refreshing it is to actually have a FTP game that doesn't force you to dish out your hard earned money.    … Expand
  15. busbfran
    Jun 18, 2015
    8
    It's addictive simulation game play and stylish graphics are worth the free installation, however its slow paced and action lacking game play does the fallout series no justice. Fallout Shelters is fun but I doubt the game will have the buzz in a weeks time.
  16. ITZZZPERRY
    Aug 7, 2015
    8
    Fallout is an enjoyable distraction available on the App Store. It's addictive and fun, although it could also be seen as limited in capacity. This is definitely worth a pickup, though, as it is free.
  17. tsakiym
    Jun 23, 2015
    8
    Great game. Free, Offline, no pay to win and super addictive. I spent many hours on this game. It's super simple and enjoy full. Good job Bethesda :).
  18. SrPepe
    Jun 23, 2018
    8
    Este juego es excelente y super adictivo. NO es para nada un PayToWin, una cosa es pagar para mejorar tu calidad de juego (Clash Royale), y otra para acelerar procesos, es un juego FREE TO PLAY para CELULAR, obviamente que de algún lado van a tener que sacar plata, y está muy bien que lo hagan en que el jugador tenga la posibilidad de acortar tiempos y no en que el jugador la use paraEste juego es excelente y super adictivo. NO es para nada un PayToWin, una cosa es pagar para mejorar tu calidad de juego (Clash Royale), y otra para acelerar procesos, es un juego FREE TO PLAY para CELULAR, obviamente que de algún lado van a tener que sacar plata, y está muy bien que lo hagan en que el jugador tenga la posibilidad de acortar tiempos y no en que el jugador la use para mejoras obligatorias.
    Me encanta y es muy divertido.    … Expand
  19. Averum
    Jul 2, 2015
    7
    Started out strong, but fell a little flat with me due to radroach issues. I felt like I had to slow my expansion to a crawl or invest heavily into P2W lunchboxes. Pacing is lackluster. Lots of crashing out of the on my Ipad Mini.
  20. GrumpyDan
    Jul 10, 2015
    7
    Fallout Shelter probably isn't the mobile Fallout game you were hoping for.

    It's a building game very much from the Tiny Tower school. You're in control of a vault, and you need to make sure its inhabitants are happy and prosperous. There are nods to the main series here, from the cartoon aesthetic to the monsters that occasionally burst in through the floor, but this is a game with    Fallout Shelter probably isn't the mobile Fallout game you were hoping for.

    It's a building game very much from the Tiny Tower school. You're in control of a vault, and you need to make sure its inhabitants are happy and prosperous.

    There are nods to the main series here, from the cartoon aesthetic to the monsters that occasionally burst in through the floor, but this is a game with both feet firmly planted on the casual side of the line.    … Expand
  21. muzmuz
    Aug 12, 2016
    7
    A few days into the game and it has been terrific so far. Fallout Shelter is definitely enjoyable, especially from the start, but is consisted of issues that can't simply be overlooked.
  22. getrwuegyweh
    Sep 6, 2016
    7
    Mixed game. It's really fun but it just constantly crashes now and overheats my phone. Goes really slow too. Also gets repetitive after time but it's fun to play.
  23. CenkAlp
    Jan 3, 2018
    7
    Hikaye = -
    Oynanış = -
    Grafikler = -
    Sesler = -
    Keyif = -
    Atmosfer = -
    Süre = -
  24. Captiosus
    Jun 18, 2015
    6
    At the Bethesda E3 Press Release, Todd Howard, the Chief of Bethesda Studios, said that this was the mobile game they always wanted to make. If that's the case, they certainly didn't set the bar very high. Fallout Shelter is little more than a typical timed resource, timed follower game that is set in the Fallout Universe. Like every other resource/follower game, it becomes boring afterAt the Bethesda E3 Press Release, Todd Howard, the Chief of Bethesda Studios, said that this was the mobile game they always wanted to make. If that's the case, they certainly didn't set the bar very high. Fallout Shelter is little more than a typical timed resource, timed follower game that is set in the Fallout Universe. Like every other resource/follower game, it becomes boring after only a few short sessions of play. The only difference is this one doesn't make you pay if you want to speed things along, though there are optional in app purchases that, according to the latest news, is making Bethesda tons of money (currently outpacing Candy Crush Saga and other in-app purchase games).

    This might have been the game they always wanted to make when the iPhone was new (which was when Howard said this game concept came to be), but now it's just another game in an overcrowded genre. At least it gives my 5th gen iPod Touch something else to do besides music, I guess.    … Expand
  25. Zri
    Aug 8, 2015
    6
    Nice interface, feels very Fallout, fails to be a satisfying game.

    You start out with the struggle of figuring out the right balance of game mechanics to be able to successfully play, get to the point where you can send people out into the wasteland to scavenge for caps and gear, and then the game stops being fun and turns into yet another game that you open for a few minutes a day to    Nice interface, feels very Fallout, fails to be a satisfying game.

    You start out with the struggle of figuring out the right balance of game mechanics to be able to successfully play, get to the point where you can send people out into the wasteland to scavenge for caps and gear, and then the game stops being fun and turns into yet another game that you open for a few minutes a day to cycle jobs, dump dwellers into a bedroom to breed, check on your foragers to see if you need to bring them home.    … Expand
  26. TheRebel
    Jul 24, 2015
    6
    Gameplay:
    The gameplay is very simple. As the vault overseer, you must keep your vault alive and happy, all while increasing the amount of dwellers and rooms. I did enjoy the fact that once you pressed the option to build a room, it would build immediately. There's no incentive to have to spend real money just to speed up the process. Your dwellers have certain S.P.E.C.I.A.L skills and    Gameplay:
    The gameplay is very simple. As the vault overseer, you must keep your vault alive and happy, all while increasing the amount of dwellers and rooms. I did enjoy the fact that once you pressed the option to build a room, it would build immediately. There's no incentive to have to spend real money just to speed up the process. Your dwellers have certain S.P.E.C.I.A.L skills and you must assign them to rooms accordingly. Dwellers with high amounts of strength should be put into rooms that require strength and so on. Occasionally, your vault will be attacked by raiders, radroaches, and even fires! This game is exciting to play at first, but over time, the enjoyment of the game quickly fades as the gameplay becomes extremely repetitive. There's no real incentive to keep playing after a few weeks.

    Annoyances:
    This game had a lot of annoyances that detracted from the overall enjoyment of the game. There is a ridiculous of amount of lag while moving around your vault, which does not help when your vault is under attack. Another thing that hurts the gameplay is that the controls wouldn't work the way the should. For example, when tapping on a dweller, their S.P.E.C.I.A.L stats are shown and if you click on another dweller immediately, the first dwellers' stats still show up! It seems minor and nit picky, but it's a matter of life-and-death when you're trying to heal your dweller in the middle of an attack. That minor glitch allows your dweller to be killed and ruins the enjoyment of the game.

    Graphics/Appearance:
    Fallout Shelter has the classic look of the Fallout series: characters, enemies, and weapons. I did enjoy the 3d effects of the rooms while looking through the vault. The overall aesthetics are simple and pleasing.

    Verdict:
    I wouldn't recommend this game because of the ridiculous lag and the repetitive gameplay. It's fun to play for a couple of weeks, but soon, you'll realize the gameplay is not dynamic and becomes a chore.    … Expand
  27. Cantosix
    Oct 25, 2015
    6
    This game starts out being all kinds of awesome, but very quickly becomes all kinds of boring. I like the idea of it, I like the graphics, I like the overall goal. I like the tone of the game. I like many things about it. I deleted my first vault and didn't miss it in the slightest. Following an update I reinstalled and started again, but 'completed' the next vault within a week and willThis game starts out being all kinds of awesome, but very quickly becomes all kinds of boring. I like the idea of it, I like the graphics, I like the overall goal. I like the tone of the game. I like many things about it. I deleted my first vault and didn't miss it in the slightest. Following an update I reinstalled and started again, but 'completed' the next vault within a week and will be deleting that one too. How is it possible to simultaneously like and loathe this App? Because it's bursting with potential, but resiliently fails to deliver.

    Getting the shelter up and running is great, but after that it is self-sufficient and there is zero incentive to keep playing. The recent updates have responded to this by increasing the range and severity of attacks, but this is more annoying than engaging and does nothing to tackle the fundamental problem of the vault just becoming dull and repetitive. Despite the updates the game still struggles with poor controls, and each update leaves you with a sense that the game designers don't really have a clue what they should be aiming for. If any developers are reading this then I can provide a summary:

    - Bigger range of rooms. Why not add a cinema? A pool? A go-kart track? Make it harder to achieve 100% happiness. Stop the workers slogging away endlessly at the same tedious, limited range of jobs (why should that make them happy?!) and add a splash of variety.

    - If you're going to limit the game to 200 Dwellers, then add a life-cycle. When the Dwellers get old, why not let us stick them in a retirement room, thereby giving an incentive to actually call new Dwellers in from the Wasteland or breed more? (Plus, WTAF with the 'have 18 Dwellers pregnant challenge? Honestly??)

    - Put a pause button in. You are currently not able to play this game if you might be interrupted by, say, your train getting to its stop, because there is a risk of all your dwellers being killed by a random attack whilst you are dealing with a real-life event.

    - Wasteland mini-games? Why not move away from the tedium a little by literally leaving it behind?

    I really hope that there is a Fallout Shelter II, and that the scope is broader and produces less of a Marxist approach to Vault building.    … Expand
  28. danei
    May 25, 2016
    6
    This review contains spoilers, click expand to view. This game was fun at beginning, but get boring quickly:
    1) You have to stare at your screen just to collect resource. Food and water are fine, but power naturally drains fast and slow to accumulate. Every time you close the game, have raider attack, or most seriously, mole rate attack (~1000 power each time), your power is drained, and you have to stay there for half an hour just to recover your stupid power.
    2) Most of the loots are just garbage, but you cannot set criteria like "recycle all non-legendary items", instead, you have to click every single type of items to do that. When your loot team is powerful, everyone will return with 100 items and only ~3 of them to keep, and you can have 25 dwellers outside, and you imagine. Also there's stupid cap limit of 999,999 so the only purpose of selling items is to get some room for your storage. It's not rewarding experience.
    3) The lunchbox doesn't give good enough reward. I have opened 30+ lunchboxes (all by goals, not by cash, and I strongly suggest you don't spend any money on this game) and the only useful thing is a legendary dweller who gets useless once I can build training rooms. All the others are just totally useless caps and junk weapon and scrap, that only get me feel like a donkey than any sense of being rewarded.
    4) Most of the items are useless, especially power armors, they do not give you any defensive bonus and since only 1 special is required for each task (like boosting room), a normal +5 or +7 suit is much more useful. A suit of +1 endurance and +4/+6 luck might be useful in wasteland but such suit doesn't exist.
    5) Some important information is hidden and cannot be remedied. Like the effect of endurance on HP, every time you level up, your endurance is added to HP, so when I realized this I have to suicide all original, non-perfect dwellers and get new ones trained with maximum endurance at level 1 and get +5/+7 endurance suit and only change role after level 50. This kills all the fun of growing up a dweller because you have to go through the same boring and lengthy process for everyone.
    6) The game is not challenging enoug. I was a bit worry of deathclaws before 35 dwellers but they turn out really easy to kill and never cause any casualties and seldom make themselves to the second floor. Mole rats are annoying because they drain a lot of power not because they are deadly. Roaches and fires and raiders are just something keep you clicking busy but no real trouble caused.
    Most of time in this game is spent on selling/recycling loots, collecting resource, and giving dwellers stimpaks after incidents, all of them are just repetitive.    … Expand
  29. HydrophobikFish
    Jun 9, 2023
    6
    Its a dull and forgettable microtransaction farm mobile game. It has a fallout skin which is fun and I like, but there's little of substance and is an extremely passive idle game. It may be for some but it isn't for me.
  30. Righter
    Jun 19, 2015
    5
    It's a blatant rip-off of "This War of Mine" - only not half as good. IAP are optional, and I've basically finished the game without them. I refuse to pay Bethesda a dime for a game that they ripped off from another developer, and I'll be uninstalling it. It really is a shameless rip-off, only with cartoon graphics instead of the realistically somber B&W look that TWOM uses. Anybody whoIt's a blatant rip-off of "This War of Mine" - only not half as good. IAP are optional, and I've basically finished the game without them. I refuse to pay Bethesda a dime for a game that they ripped off from another developer, and I'll be uninstalling it. It really is a shameless rip-off, only with cartoon graphics instead of the realistically somber B&W look that TWOM uses. Anybody who says it's play to win isn't trying hard enough. If anything, I found the game too easy. Which is why I've practically finished it already and I've only had it two days and been playing on and off. Once you've got 100 dwellers and have built all the unlocked rooms, its replay value goes to ZERO.… Expand
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Awards & Rankings

1
#1 Most Discussed iOS Game of 2015
56
#56 Most Shared iOS Game of 2015

Critic Reviews

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Metascore
71

Mixed or average reviews - based on 39 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 17 out of 39
  2. Mixed: 21 out of 39
  3. Negative: 1 out of 39
  1. Pelit (Finland)
    Sep 1, 2015
    85
    Fallout Shelter is a decent free-to-play title, as it never begs for money and you can play it relatively easily without spending a dime. It's also a prime example of marketing. By releasing the game just after the announcement of Fallout 4, Bethesda made an excellent example of capitalizing the IP. [Aug 2015]
  2. Attack of the Fanboy
    Aug 23, 2015
    70
    Fallout Shelter is an enjoyable but ultimately shallow experience. It’s set apart from others of its ilk by making its transactions truly and completely optional — though sorely tempting.
    Read full review
  3. TheAppzine
    Aug 20, 2015
    70
    Thankfully, Fallout Shelter's nostalgic aesthetics (which imitate signs and other written materials seen in Fallout 3 and New Vegas) mostly outshine the issues of the game's shallow nature.
    Read full review
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