Fallout 3

 PC
User Score
7.9

Generally favorable reviews- based on 5318 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 3,751 out of 5318
  2. Mixed: 987 out of 5318
  3. Negative: 580 out of 5318
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  1. AndyE.
    Dec 2, 2008
    6
    A huge disappointment. Fallout made for console players. Everything which used to be great in the previous games is spoiled now. Just run next to the enemy, press v, aim for the head and bingo. After repeating 200 times I forgot the game and I highly doubt returning to it.
  2. MikeD.
    Dec 3, 2008
    6
    Could have turned out a lot worse, but it is ok for a single play-through. We pretty much got what we expected - Oblivion with guns. The game has too many flaws in design, implementation, scenario, feel, voices to even mention. Nowhere near Fallout and especially Fallout 2, but comes close to Fallout Tactics.
  3. AndrewC
    Apr 14, 2009
    7
    I give it 7 as Oblivion with guns. If I were to score this as a game as a Fallout game the score would be 4. This game sufferes from all the problems of Oblivion.These being 1) A really stupid plot, with too short and linear a main quest. 2) Incredibly annoying unskippable mini-games. 3) Weak NPC scripting and poor voice acting. 4) An interface designed for consoles that doesn't take I give it 7 as Oblivion with guns. If I were to score this as a game as a Fallout game the score would be 4. This game sufferes from all the problems of Oblivion.These being 1) A really stupid plot, with too short and linear a main quest. 2) Incredibly annoying unskippable mini-games. 3) Weak NPC scripting and poor voice acting. 4) An interface designed for consoles that doesn't take advantage of the PC's strengths. All that said, It also has Oblivions strengths, which are a beautifullly designed world to explore to your hearts content, as long as you ignore the main quest, and an eminently moddable game engine.… Expand
  4. RobS
    Nov 28, 2008
    5
    I think most of the positive reviews here have been written after one or two plays of the game. I too was at first blown away by the seemingly endless, and incredibly beautiful landscapes, and the freedom of choice. There is also some great exploring moments and some incredible voice acting on offer. Also mention must be made of the lightning fast load times. On those impressions alone I think most of the positive reviews here have been written after one or two plays of the game. I too was at first blown away by the seemingly endless, and incredibly beautiful landscapes, and the freedom of choice. There is also some great exploring moments and some incredible voice acting on offer. Also mention must be made of the lightning fast load times. On those impressions alone this game is a 9star without doubt, however it is with continued play that the many frustrations in this game begin to show. First combat - even with my gun skills ramped up, and many perks to aid it, I find myself completely reliant on the v.a.t.s getting some lucky heashot kills, as the enemy scale up faster and have better weapons. Plus there guns are far more accurate than yours, they can shotgun you halfway across the map, you will have difficulty hitting them right in front of you. You will need every health boost and also use quick load. Combat usually ends up with you trying to lure 1 enemy at a time, into a prepared minefield, and then jumping in and out of cover using vats/powerfists, then repeating the process with enemy number 2. Then comes the complete repetitiveness of both the missions, and the dialog options. You never have more than about 3 talk options, two of which usually get the same response. As to the missions? Go to building A, kill everything that moves, then either talk/kill the object character. Rinse repeat ad infinitum. And reviewer Lou S? Take the cock out of your own mouth m8, and reread your review - you slate it worse than I do. Idiot.… Expand
  5. Malithion
    Nov 29, 2008
    5
    Oh man. Talk about overrated. Reviewers see amazing graphics and suddenly its the "game of the year." There's a huge number of problems with this game, and that's not because of bugs. First of all, the main quest is horribly written, and, unlike Oblivion, you can't continue playing after it (although PC Gamer's editor still seems to think you can). The main quest is Oh man. Talk about overrated. Reviewers see amazing graphics and suddenly its the "game of the year." There's a huge number of problems with this game, and that's not because of bugs. First of all, the main quest is horribly written, and, unlike Oblivion, you can't continue playing after it (although PC Gamer's editor still seems to think you can). The main quest is essentially a drawn-out version of a "fix this thing by getting this item" quest. You're not saving your people, you're not fighting bad guys, but rather repairing a water pump. Some favorite bits: 1) when one major character dies from being in a room filled with huge amounts of radiation, while characters in the same room live without any further explanation. 2) PC Gamer review: "But most egregious is the late-game introduction of a character that refuses to use the special abilities that are his raiso d'etre, injecting a farcical interlude into an otherwise poignant moment." This "poignant moment" is nothing short of one of the most ridiculous endings I've seen in a video game, period. I won't spoil it for you, but I definitely won't say its worth the trouble. Most of the story is a re-tread of old ideas from the previous games. Yes, it is supposed to be in the same vein as the previous Fallout games, but FO3 does not achieve that. Whereas decisions in previous games would affect the entire world, blowing up a whole town will only make a couple of main-quest NPC's take real notice. The dialogue sticks out as the some of the most horrible I've seen in a long time. Having a high intelligence will allow you to state things that are obvious, rather than insightful. Such as when speaking to Three Dog during the GNR quest, the player can say: "[Intelligence] So you fight the Good Fight with you voice on Galaxy News Radio." Another good example is during the first part of the Wasteland Survival Guide quest given by Moira (Bethesda's poor attempt at 'dark humor'): "[Intelligence] The Raiders were using the pharmacy as a place to store their best gear." As Bethesda's Pete Hines said: "Dialogue wasn't a battle we wanted to pick ... we just don't have unlimited monkeys and typewriters." The gameplay itself does not make up for FO3's other flaws. Combat is ridiculous: you can take a direct hit from a missile launcher and keep going (while wearing leather armor, no less), Raiders and other enemies can take 20 rounds of 10mm hollow-points to the face without dying, and a number of the "long-range" weapons (such as the Sniper Rifle) are useless due to the fact they have poor accuracy even if you have mastered the small arms skill. Even at maximum difficulty, the game doesn't provide much of a challenge to either RPG or FPS fans, and a number of the Oblivion's flaws are in Fallout 3. Most notably, just as in Bethesda's previous endeavor, the game quickly devolves into an endless cycle of dungeon-crawl, fetch an object, trade loot, complete quest, and repeat. Very quickly into the game, playing becomes dull and monotonous. Especially when you reach the level cap of 20. At this point, only the promise of interesting quests will keep you playing, and as I have stated, well-developed ones are few and far between. Amazingly, the side quests aren't even as good as Oblivion's. Fallout 3 fails in that it accomplishes neither the goal of an RPG, namely, a deep, believable world with interesting characters and a good story, nor does it accomplish the goal of an FPS; to provide an exciting combat experience and intense gameplay while you pursued an objective. It is at no point immersive, as you feel detached from the world of the game. Few of the characters have any depth or logic behind their actions. It fails to be a sandbox-type game, as you are limited to doing the same things Oblivion allows you to do. In the original Fallout series, you could play most of the game in a way that focused on dialogue, or focus on stealth rather than confrontation. Perhaps Bethesda dumbed down the combat so that characters with weak fighting skills could more easily survive the battles they are constantly forced into. Additionally, the game world is tiny, even smaller than Oblivion. While this does mean that there is less walking distance, it also served as a convenient excuse to put less into the game. There are few unique areas, and even they follow the tired dungeon formula of Oblivion (in fact, the majority of 'dungeons' in the game actually are underground). All in all, Oblivion has some strengths: graphics, a solid engine, and good performance. However, it lacks either a solid RPG or FPS element. Characters aren't interesting, and combat is almost as dull and repetitive. It may have nice looks, but there's not a lot of meat on the bones here. There's just no challenge to this game.… Expand
  6. phdr_vrba
    May 16, 2013
    6
    I was never quite fond of Bethesda-made RPGs: Morrowind felt like an utter chore and despite several attempts I could never force myslef to whitstand the tedium of slo-mo hiking for more than few hours. Oblivion was kinda fun, but only stealthing through dungeons, really. rest of the game felt sterile, copy-pasted and NPC were (and still are in all their RPG games) a joke. So obviously II was never quite fond of Bethesda-made RPGs: Morrowind felt like an utter chore and despite several attempts I could never force myslef to whitstand the tedium of slo-mo hiking for more than few hours. Oblivion was kinda fun, but only stealthing through dungeons, really. rest of the game felt sterile, copy-pasted and NPC were (and still are in all their RPG games) a joke. So obviously I wasn't sure what to think, when I found out that Bethesda got their hand on Fallout series, which I loved and Fallout 2 is imo still one of the best RPGs of all time, second only to Planescape: Torment. Then the teaser trailer came out and I was thrilled, for the mood was just right.

    Then all the gameplay interviews with that Todd Howard came out and watching him launching teddy bears and mini nukes on orc-like supermutants, while stating how he and the team love original Fallout series sew the seeds of doubt.

    In the end, things ended up better than expected, as Fallout 3 got many things right and it was no doubt the best Bethesda RPG released at the time. On the other hand, it was also still the worst Fallout game, should I ommit the Brotherhood of Steel piece of crap that came out on PS2.

    Point is, that even with VATS, randomized loot, and new pipboy aside (which are both crippled alternatives to what FO1/2 had to offer), the core stuff was just..wel... not really there. NPC had little to no character (although at least one could have an actual dialog with them), quests were mostly flashy stuff with zero substance and had zero influence on wasteland beyond their respective locations. And the main story was just pathetic, as water shortage was never a thing outside the Vault 13 of FO1 and Modoc village of FO2. Wasteland has never seemed to care about how clean is their water supply and so I could never take the main quest too seriusly. Then Enclave came into picture with their own plans and I was like 'why did we even bother.'

    It sorta had the right atmosphere, but it just was meh, wrong in its design. And yet kiddos and critics love it, happily ignoring the existence and greatness of the first two games. I can understand the kids who were simply too young to play or appreciate the qualities of first two Fallout games, but from proffesional critics who often played games for longer time than I am even alive, I would expect their experience to reflect on FO3 and comparison to FO2 should have been made where possible. Hell or even with other, newer, great RPG games, because FO3 simply is not one of those. And instead they were drooling all over it like a bunch or retarded kids. And mind you it is not like the greatness of the old Fallout games wasn't relevant anymore, New Vegas has proven that much.

    So here we are, drolling over this cripple of a Fallout game, ignoring great FO1/2 games for being too old and whining over bugs in New Vegas the one which brought much of that greatness back to present day. How can I take the co called proffesionals seriously, if they act like the '3' at the end got there by some silly accident?    … Expand
  7. Specskankular
    Oct 12, 2012
    5
    I had high hopes for this game as I played on, but the further I got into the game as my XP, Perks earned and more weapons became available the easier it got until the competition seemed like child's play. Storyline was fair I suppose, but if you accept a certain quest too soon the game is over way before it's time. I even added 'Point Lookout' and killed the game so soon b my choice ofI had high hopes for this game as I played on, but the further I got into the game as my XP, Perks earned and more weapons became available the easier it got until the competition seemed like child's play. Storyline was fair I suppose, but if you accept a certain quest too soon the game is over way before it's time. I even added 'Point Lookout' and killed the game so soon b my choice of Quests I never experienced the Add On. No point In going on at this point as I know how the game ends no matter what choices or changes I make. The end sucks me very much.… Expand
  8. TheGamer31
    Oct 11, 2013
    7
    As much as I love this game, it just turned in the wrong direction. It doesn't really feel like a Fallout game, but more like a completely new game. This game is the Fallout game of Empire: Total War basically.
  9. DeusXCom
    Aug 3, 2014
    7
    Bethesda did an amazing job at the one thing they always do - the exploration, in this case, the exploration of the post-apocalyptic wasteland in 3D open world was amazing, even the very start of the game is pretty impressive and for a while it looked like this could be a worthy successor in the Fallout series, but it slowly starts to show the shortcomings of Bethesda as well. Too manyBethesda did an amazing job at the one thing they always do - the exploration, in this case, the exploration of the post-apocalyptic wasteland in 3D open world was amazing, even the very start of the game is pretty impressive and for a while it looked like this could be a worthy successor in the Fallout series, but it slowly starts to show the shortcomings of Bethesda as well. Too many bugs, crashes and other technical problems mixed with quite bland story and not really interesting quests or characters. Even the thing you loved at the start will annoy you in the end, loads of invisible walls and running through chaotic subway systems. I still enjoyed the experience, roaming the wasteland and listening to the Pip Boy radio was good, even some of the trademark things from original Fallout like VATS and SPECIAL mechanics are still here, but it's just not the same level of premium quality. Maybe the lack of good writing, memorable characters, or fantastic music to create a proper atmosphere, there is definitely something missing here. The content got a bit better with all the DLC, but I would still highly recommend Fallout 1 & 2 or New Vegas as a much better experiences than this. 7/10… Expand
  10. Ehrees
    Dec 6, 2013
    5
    For those that have a PS3 or a Xbox 360, I recommend that you should buy this game for those platforms. The game is not bad, its just the crashing of the game for windows. For the first 1 minute of the game, crash! But, if you manage to get past the crashes, the game is good.
  11. OrangeTheGod
    May 17, 2014
    5
    This game focus a lot on the side missions and the size of the map rather than providing a good gameplay and storytelling experience. The concept is interesting, but overall the game is clearly overrated.
  12. jelikey
    Aug 2, 2016
    6
    I don't know how so many people reviewed this so highly. Fallout 3, as a game, is directionless and vague in all it does, poorly structured (you can skip out half the story if you're not careful), caters for gaming idiots and worst of all is anything but true to the Fallout name.
  13. barzozwierz
    Nov 22, 2015
    6
    + it's... Fallout. I waited ~10 years for this
    + nice graphics
    + VATS
    + Liam Neeson

    A fun shooter with mutants, cliche story and unremarkable characters. Somehow I expected more from Bethesda (they created Morrowind after all). Still... it's ok.
  14. Jaliver
    Apr 6, 2016
    7
    Its like Skyrim with guns!!!!

    Not a lot of sniper rifles so you can't really 360 no scope in this shooter game.... Nuke megaton or kill ur son okay in serious news, Fallout 3 is a solid experience through and through. Bethesda manages once again to throw the player in a large sandbox world with many different things to do and explore. The VATS system is a little clunky but overall    Its like Skyrim with guns!!!!

    Not a lot of sniper rifles so you can't really 360 no scope in this shooter game....

    Nuke megaton or kill ur son

    okay in serious news, Fallout 3 is a solid experience through and through. Bethesda manages once again to throw the player in a large sandbox world with many different things to do and explore. The VATS system is a little clunky but overall the mechanics are fine. I promise not to ruin the story but in my personal opinion the story was very disappointing. You can actually skip about half the story on accident if you're not careful. The story is hands down the most vague story that we've seen so far with the Fallout series and even with the expansions adding more story content, Fallout 3 doesn't feel like enough with Point Lookout being my favorite and the Mothership Zeta being the most corny.    … Expand
  15. chapmaer
    Nov 6, 2015
    7
    this game has been out for 7 years now and with fallout 4 just around the corner i thought i should review this game well its not a great game but it is an enjoyable game but 100% positive of this game is the brilliant world design, which dose a great job to immerse you in its world and to make you want to find out more about the lore but back to the story the side quests and lore is wellthis game has been out for 7 years now and with fallout 4 just around the corner i thought i should review this game well its not a great game but it is an enjoyable game but 100% positive of this game is the brilliant world design, which dose a great job to immerse you in its world and to make you want to find out more about the lore but back to the story the side quests and lore is well written i can not say the same about the main story it dose start out as a interesting story but it goes downhill quickly and becomes bland and predictable story with really obvious moral dilemmas that you can easily tell what is the right thing to do and what's wrong overall i may have **** on this game quite a bit on this game but i still love it it keeps me going back to replay it from the start do to how fun the world is to explore… Expand
  16. ultrasoft
    Apr 8, 2016
    6
    Fun enough. Doesn't really capture the spirit of the original games. The atmosphere is good, and surviving and exploring in the wastes feels pretty good.

    There's the germ of a great game here, but it's buried under a big smear of flatness

    Look to New Vegas for a much better experience.
  17. vega17
    Jun 4, 2016
    7
    tvtgghggtgyggtgttgtgtgtggtytygtyvyvgyvgvyytvtyvytvgvgyvytvgvytbybyyvyyvtvtyvvygvytvtyvytvtyvtvtyvytvytvytgtvgyvugvgyvtyvgvgyyuvgyvyyvgvgyygduhdubydbugdbuhddgubugbddugbdbugdugbd
  18. spudtat0
    Jul 6, 2016
    7
    The first Fallout game I played. I loved it a lot and it was probably because of it's atmosphere and the fact that I really enjoyed adventure games. Though replaying the game, I realised the problems that the game actually had, and that was the story and characters of it. The ending of the game was just fking terrible, Fawkes being a little **** and not going into the purifier thing whenThe first Fallout game I played. I loved it a lot and it was probably because of it's atmosphere and the fact that I really enjoyed adventure games. Though replaying the game, I realised the problems that the game actually had, and that was the story and characters of it. The ending of the game was just fking terrible, Fawkes being a little **** and not going into the purifier thing when he could because he was immune to radiation was just **** And you had to buy the Broken Steel dlc to even have a different ending, which is just cheap of the developers. The characters feel like robots and their dialogue is mundane. I still love the game though, as much as my father still loved me after I blew up megaton.… Expand
  19. ElectricDevil
    Jan 1, 2017
    6
    This review contains spoilers, click expand to view. Fallout 3 is the Fifth game in the Fallout Franchise and the first game in the series published by Bethesda. The game runs on the engine used for Elder Scrolls: Oblivion and brings the games from a top-down perspective to a third-person/first-person perspective.

    FO 3 departs from the original setting of the West Coast of California and centers itself squarely in the ruins of Post-Apocalyptic Washington, DC. As Bethesda itself is in neighboring Maryland, it's no surprise that the ruined DC looks great. There's a nice atmosphere going, aside from the excessive green tint to everything.

    Your character is a Vault Dweller, raised in Vault 101 by your single father, James. James tries to instill virtues into your character as you grow up, and then when you're 19, he ditches you and escapes the Vault for who knows why. And that begins your quest to catch up with him out in the Wasteland.

    As an RPG, the game is rather primitive. When you have a choice, you tend to only have two - good vs. evil, with a third option far too rare. And even when you make a choice, it generally doesn't affect more of the story, which is a failure of the writing team. Instead, the game relies heavily on combat and action, so having more charismatic or 'intellectual' characters in the Wasteland rarely fits.

    But as an action shooter, it's inconsistent, especially early on. Your ability to hit is based on your 'skill' from the RPG mechanics, so having a low skill those will put you in trouble rather quickly. Many of the areas you have to travel through as part of your quests are set up as linear 'action stages' - some of which deliver a healthy dose of combat, while some miss out on great opportunities. I thought the big climax fight of the main story from the Citadel to the Purifier could have been much more grand if Liberty Prime weren't involved and it was just you, your follower, and a squad of elite Paladins assaulting the enemy forces.

    Ultimately, Fallout 3 doesn't know what it is. It's not a great RPG because it relies on action and shooting. It's not a great shooter because it relies on RPG mechanics and fails to deliver at key moments.

    The result is somewhere in-between shooter and RPG. It offers more choices to a fan of shooters than they usually get, but pigeonholes fans of sandbox RPGs into linear action sequences.    … Expand
  20. MaddMike
    Feb 2, 2017
    6
    If we consider this game as a fallout - it will be very bad. If we consider this game as a Bethesda-RPG - it will certantly be one of the best. **** were dissapointed, but it still worth gaming.
  21. Kotofon
    Apr 26, 2021
    7
    Инженеры из Vault-Tec круглосуточно работали над интерактивным воспроизведением жизни в Пустоши, чтобы вы могли насладиться ей, не покидая собственного убежища. Сюда входит обширный мир, уникальные бои, поразительно реалистичные визуальные эффекты, множество вариантов выбора и невероятная группа динамичных персонажей. Каждую минуту идет борьба за выживание против ужасов внешнего мира —Инженеры из Vault-Tec круглосуточно работали над интерактивным воспроизведением жизни в Пустоши, чтобы вы могли насладиться ей, не покидая собственного убежища. Сюда входит обширный мир, уникальные бои, поразительно реалистичные визуальные эффекты, множество вариантов выбора и невероятная группа динамичных персонажей. Каждую минуту идет борьба за выживание против ужасов внешнего мира — радиации, супер-мутантов и враждебных мутировавших существ. От Vault-Tec, лучший выбор Америки в симуляции пост-ядерного мира.… Expand
  22. dikii_hohol
    Jun 6, 2021
    7
    дота 2 крекер дота 2 крекер дота 2 крекер дота 2 крекер дота 2 крекер дота 2 крекер
  23. AnonymousMC
    Sep 5, 2009
    6
    An average FPS with some elements of RPG, aimed for teen audience mainly (despite its rating). Horrible animation, sterile dialogues. In a nutshell, it's the game for everybody (mostly for casual players, that is accessible even for the last retard, as Bethesda considers it). And It's hard not to mention the terrible "right-from-the-consoles" PC version of the game.
  24. roboticsun
    Dec 16, 2011
    6
    Fallout 3 has potential but suffers a lot from mediocre game design. First problem of fallout 3 is the gameplay. The V.A.T.S. system of location-specific targeting has been added to sort of simulating turn-based combat for those interested, but it is poorly done with some repetitive and boring killing animations. Gameplay is primarily first-person, but it turns out not working very wellFallout 3 has potential but suffers a lot from mediocre game design. First problem of fallout 3 is the gameplay. The V.A.T.S. system of location-specific targeting has been added to sort of simulating turn-based combat for those interested, but it is poorly done with some repetitive and boring killing animations. Gameplay is primarily first-person, but it turns out not working very well since you are not able hit anyone if not using awkward V.A.T.S system at the beginning. Second the game's quests are mostly done with linear solutions. In Fallout 2, most of quests can be done in different ways. it seemed that there would be a lot of choices in how Fallout 3's quests were to be solved but shortly after going into the game, those different solutions tend to fade away especially for the main quest. Fallout 3 tries to give you an illusion of choices to impact the story but it actually does not offer any non linearity in the quest structure. But I still would say Fallout 3 is a fun game to kill time in a virtual, massive and varied world, just do not treat it like a fallout game, it just does not have the spirit of Fallout.… Expand
  25. ejikvkaske
    Mar 13, 2013
    5
    Fallout 3 dutifully follows the Bethesda motto of quantity over quality. The game tries to make up for its shortcomings by overwhelming you with the sheer volume of content. And the faults be plenty. The world, albeit huge, feels empty and generally artificial. The UI is a disaster. Weapon selection is rather lame. Guns have no recoil and seemingly random bullet spread. Enemy AI isFallout 3 dutifully follows the Bethesda motto of quantity over quality. The game tries to make up for its shortcomings by overwhelming you with the sheer volume of content. And the faults be plenty. The world, albeit huge, feels empty and generally artificial. The UI is a disaster. Weapon selection is rather lame. Guns have no recoil and seemingly random bullet spread. Enemy AI is retarded. Side quests are extremely repetitive. Even the graphics, supposedly one of the game's strong points, look quite dated for a 2008 game. The game does have a decent storyline and a great soundtrack, but that's simply not enough to make up for it's numerous shortcomings.… Expand
  26. iddqd4
    Jan 20, 2018
    7
    Достаточно посредственная в плане сюжета, и средняя в плане геймплея, один раз прошел и возвращаться больше нет желания.
  27. lutteres
    Feb 8, 2014
    5
    I haven’t played the original fallout series (although I intend in the future). So, my review of fallout 3 (GOTY edition), is not contaminated by any feelings of nostalgia.

    ~Visuals (Grade 4 ) (Yes, I know this is a 2008 game, but compared with other AAA games from that time, fallout 3 doesn’t look very good in the visual department) - The Good: (Good modeling, especially the outdoor    I haven’t played the original fallout series (although I intend in the future). So, my review of fallout 3 (GOTY edition), is not contaminated by any feelings of nostalgia.

    ~Visuals (Grade 4 ) (Yes, I know this is a 2008 game, but compared with other AAA games from that time, fallout 3 doesn’t look very good in the visual department)
    - The Good: (Good modeling, especially the outdoor environments; Vast and varied outdoor map; Game world feels realistic)
    - The Bad: (Ugly textures; Poor indoor lighting; Limited color scheme (Only 3 prevalent colors: Brown, grey and black); Awful shadow effects (for AAA game at least); Repetitive Indoor maps (Buildings, underground structures, etc..); No dynamic weather; Clunky animations; Some graphic glitches (but not many); Still a bit buggy (Didn’t experience any crashes though))

    ~Sound (Grade 7)
    - The Good: (Realistic sound effects (especially the gun effects))
    - The Bad: (Uninspired voice acting; Generic and painfully repetitive soundtrack)

    ~Story (Grade 5)
    - The Good: (Mother ship Zeta DLC (Very nice story, it’s 7/10 compared with the rest of the game))
    - The Bad: (Generic story; Lack of focus; Uninspired writing; Uninteresting and boring characters)

    ~Gameplay – (Grade 6)
    -The Good: (Decent character creation options; Decent FPS mechanics; Satisfying kills; Fun (at least for the first 8 hours); Decent assortment of weapons and armors; Tons of places to see and explore; 100 hours worth of gameplay)
    -The Bad: (Unbalanced leveling up mechanics that make the game too easy (I have only died 5 or 6 times in 70 hours of playing this game, and that’s because I am not very good at FPS games); Over focus on action (shot first ask questions later mentality)/ few pacifist choices; Action with few tense moments or substance (that’s what happens when you have too much amo and med pack); Boring side quests; Choices didn’t felt that important in the overall scheme of thing; Unexciting loot (most of it is just useless junk); Useless stealth options (it’s always more efficient to just run and gun through a level); Stupid A.I. (The companions I.A. in particular, because they always get in the way).)

    ~Everything else – (Grade 10)
    -The Good: (Decent menu options; Tons of mods to experiment; DLC with good value)

    In conclusion: Despite its multiple faults, Fallout 3 can be fun at times, especially when exploring the cities, but the fun moments are few and far between.
    After 70 Hours of gameplay it left me with a “bad after taste”. It had potential to be great, and at times you can see glimpses of greatness, but unfortunately Bethesda has decided to give us quantity over quality, and the end result is not that great.
    If you like sand box games with tons of places to explore, and are willing to excuse the game’s bad story, awful visuals, zero challenge and repetitive fights. Than this might be a good distraction for you, at least for a few hours, but I recommend installing a few mods first, for the best experience.
    However, if you are looking for an exciting Sci-fi adventure, with interesting characters and story, skip this one and go buy Mass effect or Deus Ex.    … Expand
  28. KFFAO
    Dec 27, 2018
    6
    Спустя годы (привет непонятному, но играбельному 4 фолу, и конченому 76 фолу) я изменяю свою оценку с 4 до 6 баллов
  29. smahlt
    Aug 22, 2023
    7
    It's a solid Oblivion with guns. There's not much else to say, really. It has a better story than New Vegas and 4, but falls behind NV in other aspects.
  30. ghostwriter84
    Aug 29, 2023
    7
    Pros:

    Atmosphere and Soundtrack: The game excels at creating a hauntingly beautiful and desolate atmosphere. The ruins of iconic landmarks, accompanied by an evocative 1950s-inspired soundtrack, immerse players in the grim reality of a world ravaged by nuclear war. Open-World Exploration: The Capital Wasteland, the game's expansive open-world environment, is a joy to explore. Filled    Pros:

    Atmosphere and Soundtrack: The game excels at creating a hauntingly beautiful and desolate atmosphere. The ruins of iconic landmarks, accompanied by an evocative 1950s-inspired soundtrack, immerse players in the grim reality of a world ravaged by nuclear war.

    Open-World Exploration: The Capital Wasteland, the game's expansive open-world environment, is a joy to explore. Filled with intriguing locations, hidden secrets, and unique characters, it encourages players to venture off the beaten path and discover the stories that unfold in the aftermath of the nuclear apocalypse.

    My biggest gripes with this game, specially considering its an rpg:

    Linear Main Story: Despite its expansive world, the main story can feel somewhat linear in comparison. This could potentially limit the player's sense of agency, especially if they prefer non-linear storytelling.
    Poor writing, quests, dialogues...    … Expand
  31. langelm
    Oct 7, 2017
    5
    Прежде всего хочу сказать, что нью вегасу я поставил 10 и это моя одна из самых любмиых игр. А вот фоллаут 3 я просто не переношу. Сколько раз я брался его пройти и никогда не могу осилить его до конца. Скучнейшая, примитивная история, скучные квесты убей/принеси, скудный игровой мир, нпц с этой дурацкой системой автолевелинга. мочишь всех супермутантов на изи уже на первых уровнях. НетПрежде всего хочу сказать, что нью вегасу я поставил 10 и это моя одна из самых любмиых игр. А вот фоллаут 3 я просто не переношу. Сколько раз я брался его пройти и никогда не могу осилить его до конца. Скучнейшая, примитивная история, скучные квесты убей/принеси, скудный игровой мир, нпц с этой дурацкой системой автолевелинга. мочишь всех супермутантов на изи уже на первых уровнях. Нет интересных второстепенных персонажей, ужасные локации, которые выглядят как мод к какому-нибудь сталкеру.… Expand
  32. Tacoguy293
    Jul 8, 2017
    6
    An open world that will give you plenty of bang for your buck, and decent enough shooting and mechanics with the help of VATS. But the below average story, lazy and a some points childish writing and black and white choices bog this game down from being a good game let alone a decent Fallout game. If your a first time player of Fallout, this game is decent enough. But for players who areAn open world that will give you plenty of bang for your buck, and decent enough shooting and mechanics with the help of VATS. But the below average story, lazy and a some points childish writing and black and white choices bog this game down from being a good game let alone a decent Fallout game. If your a first time player of Fallout, this game is decent enough. But for players who are die hard fans of Fallout, I can't promise that this game won't be a tough one to play.… Expand
  33. Hider2K
    Aug 30, 2017
    6
    It's not the Fallout that we've all been waiting for. This is a shooter. Just a good shooter, like the fourth part. This is not an RPG.
    P.S. Bethesda does not know how to make a good Fallout.
  34. atomlord
    May 3, 2020
    7
    В целом неплохая игра, но... Страдает "грехами" игр от "беседки" типу автолевелинг мобов, множество бесполезного лута и мало уникального, унылая боевка ну и конечно же большой но абсолютно одинаковый и пустой мир.
  35. TheLedPonty
    Dec 26, 2018
    6
    Однообразная, скучная игра с унылым сюжетом.
    В открытом мире делать практически нечего, кроме как стрелять рейдеров, стрелять гулей, стрелять кротокрысов, стрелять, стрелять и стрелять.
    В игре есть места, которые несмотря на непроработанный мир, хочется исследовать. Квесты, в сравнении с первой и второй частями Falllout, убоги. В большинстве из них нет выборов для игрока и они повторяют    Однообразная, скучная игра с унылым сюжетом.
    В открытом мире делать практически нечего, кроме как стрелять рейдеров, стрелять гулей, стрелять кротокрысов, стрелять, стрелять и стрелять.
    В игре есть места, которые несмотря на непроработанный мир, хочется исследовать.
    Квесты, в сравнении с первой и второй частями Falllout, убоги. В большинстве из них нет выборов для игрока и они повторяют сами себя.
    Дополнения такие же скучные, как и основная игра, за исключением Point Lookout.
    Вышеупомянутая стрельба такая же, как и в играх серии Call of Duty - НИ-КА-КА-Я (стрелять скучно и несмотря на относительно немалый арсенал, ощущается одинаково, поэтому всю игру я прошёл с Китайским автоматом).
    Музыка, представляющая из себя песни в стиле 50-х годов, неплоха. Эмбиент не раздражает и прекрасно вписывается в игру (Инон Зур полностью заслужил заработанные деньги).
    Интерфейс не отвлекает игрока.
    Управление на клавомыши стандартное (W+ЛКМ=Happines).
    Реиграбельность, несмотря на указанные недостки, присутствует.
    P.S.: рекомендуется игрокам, не ознакомившимся с серией (однако лучше всё-таки сыграть в Fallout: New Vegas, разработанную "отцами" первых двух частей).
    Итговая оценка: 6/10.    … Expand
  36. Gvinpin
    Oct 22, 2018
    5
    With this game the restart of a series and simultaneous decrease in a level of quality of a series for a possibility of emergence of a game of service begins
  37. MatikTheSeventh
    Oct 10, 2020
    7
    I liked the game, it was my very first contact with the Fallout universe, and it has since been one of my favourite franchises. The world is believable, and the story is simple. I liked it.
  38. lidwang
    Jan 8, 2022
    5
    A dissapointment imo. Coming from the old fallouts, I was actually amazed about how surface level the story, characters and themes of this game are. No really, one of the key aspects that made fallout 1 and 2 so amazing comapred to it's contemporaries was its reach story, soemthing this game lacks.
    Along with that, thee roleplaying mechanichs of this game are really underwhelming, it    A dissapointment imo. Coming from the old fallouts, I was actually amazed about how surface level the story, characters and themes of this game are. No really, one of the key aspects that made fallout 1 and 2 so amazing comapred to it's contemporaries was its reach story, soemthing this game lacks.
    Along with that, thee roleplaying mechanichs of this game are really underwhelming, it doesn't offer mucho of a chance to have your own combat style or give your character some personality through dialogue.
    It's fine on its own I guess, but overall a step back in this franchise.    … Expand
  39. Cz3rw0ny
    Feb 17, 2021
    7
    I liked the 3rd Fallout, it has a certain vibe that I really enjoyed. It is not as good as TES series, but still quite engaging.
  40. Jurgens
    Aug 25, 2019
    6
    Fallout 3 is a disappointment that unfortunately portended a negative turn for the series. The opening segment of the game is strong but the rest of the game is simply shallow at best. The characters aren't particularly well-written and the plot is not very interesting. Also, the ending is a big let down as well. I would recommend that you probably avoid this installment of the series.
  41. Dungeon00X
    Nov 14, 2019
    7
    Looking back on it, Fallout 3 wasn't all that special. It had some fun ways to keep playing, but ultimately it had so many bugs it had to be patched almost constantly. After receiving praise for The Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion, mad with power decided to make a sequel to a beloved franchise that they had acquired after Interplay transitioned into Obsidian. No longer a point and click RPG,Looking back on it, Fallout 3 wasn't all that special. It had some fun ways to keep playing, but ultimately it had so many bugs it had to be patched almost constantly. After receiving praise for The Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion, mad with power decided to make a sequel to a beloved franchise that they had acquired after Interplay transitioned into Obsidian. No longer a point and click RPG, but a first person shooter with RPG elements. I liked playing this when it came out, I played to the end (before the DLC ruined that) and had fun with all the strange weapons. After the recent blunders with Fallout 76, it's hard to ignore how klunky this game actually plays.… Expand
  42. Yriy
    Nov 2, 2019
    7
    The game may be great in scope however coming from playing the first Fallout, Fallout 3 just fells like you are standing in a wading pool trying to imagine you are in an ocean. Even more evident if you come into it after experiencing New Vegas (which uses the same assets and engine).
  43. tk_248
    May 29, 2020
    7
    Впервые прошел. Несмотря на очевидные минусы, каким-то образом затянуло.
  44. bancandrei
    May 14, 2020
    5
    It's not all bad, I managed to get through the main story. But I was constantly thinking: man what a great game Mass Effect was. I didn't appreciate that one as highly as I should have. Turning Fallout into a shooter, major disappointment. Making it palatable to new players and giving franchise a new lease on life, major win. Rating is the middle ground between the two.
  45. MrOldModern
    Apr 10, 2023
    6
    Купа смітевих квестів з яких 10 будуть більш менш. Зелений фільтр. Сюжет. Та після цієї гри я не можу грати у ігри де є хочаб якесь метро. Бо його тут дуже багато.
  46. PoptartKing
    Dec 21, 2021
    6
    Fallout 3 is a heartfelt love letter to the original games, but there is still so much it fails at. For a game that focuses so much on gunplay I would expect it to be more enjoyable, but it really isn't that great and it's only ever really improved upon in Fallout 4. But the thing this game does better than Fallout 4 is translating the original RPGs into the 3D environment. The side questsFallout 3 is a heartfelt love letter to the original games, but there is still so much it fails at. For a game that focuses so much on gunplay I would expect it to be more enjoyable, but it really isn't that great and it's only ever really improved upon in Fallout 4. But the thing this game does better than Fallout 4 is translating the original RPGs into the 3D environment. The side quests can be really enjoyable, but you're unlikely to ever see the best ones because of the large size of the map. Normally, this wouldn't be a problem, but there is so little in this map that it becomes a big issue. The main quest starts out fine enough, but quickly turns out to be an absolute disaster! The lack of nuance in allowing your character to create their own backstory holds this game back from being truly great, as does the at times simplified writing. But, it still has its own merits to enjoy.… Expand
  47. FRIST_008
    Feb 6, 2023
    7
    Как и когда-то давно, так и сейчас я убедился в том, что в этой игре чертовски неприятно стрелять. Ни на мышке, ни на контроллере. Мир конечно интересен был и тогда, сейчас менее, время идёт, но плоскость основного сюжета, была заметна ещё в бородатые, а сейчас. При этом дух исследователя никуда не пропал и я до сих пор с удовольствием обследую каждую дырку... Однако пустость пустотыКак и когда-то давно, так и сейчас я убедился в том, что в этой игре чертовски неприятно стрелять. Ни на мышке, ни на контроллере. Мир конечно интересен был и тогда, сейчас менее, время идёт, но плоскость основного сюжета, была заметна ещё в бородатые, а сейчас. При этом дух исследователя никуда не пропал и я до сих пор с удовольствием обследую каждую дырку... Однако пустость пустоты локаций и серо-зелёная гамма просто убивают всё удовольствие от игры.… Expand
  48. vova22379
    Dec 18, 2021
    6
    ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
  49. completo3
    Mar 15, 2021
    6
    El juego me ha gustado y lo recomiendo, la temática en general de la saga Fallout me parece super interesante, la historia principal esta bien, pero los DLCs me parecen bastante mejores ya que te dan mas tiempo de juego y algunos son muy buenos. El sistema de dialogo me parece brillante en comparación con la basura que hicieron en el 4.
    Tambien cosas malas claramente, como la durabilidad    El juego me ha gustado y lo recomiendo, la temática en general de la saga Fallout me parece super interesante, la historia principal esta bien, pero los DLCs me parecen bastante mejores ya que te dan mas tiempo de juego y algunos son muy buenos. El sistema de dialogo me parece brillante en comparación con la basura que hicieron en el 4.
    Tambien cosas malas claramente, como la durabilidad de las armas o atuendos o los problemas de compatibilidad con algunas versiones de Windows. Suelen ponerlo bastante barato en rebajas y por el precio que suele tener me parece un pepino.    … Expand
  50. Lukrejshyn
    Mar 13, 2022
    7
    I think Fallout 3 is a good video game but story, some RPG mechanics, quests and factions could have been done better. It's a fun experience that on PC is plagued by Bethesda lack of care for their aging titles. The game crashes way too often and has tons of bugs. Still it's a well done RPG that holds up even 14 years later. However if you're looking for more fleshed out FalloutI think Fallout 3 is a good video game but story, some RPG mechanics, quests and factions could have been done better. It's a fun experience that on PC is plagued by Bethesda lack of care for their aging titles. The game crashes way too often and has tons of bugs. Still it's a well done RPG that holds up even 14 years later. However if you're looking for more fleshed out Fallout experience play Fallout New Vegas.… Expand
  51. DrAMaximus
    Mar 18, 2023
    5
    Вспоминая третий фолыч, перед глазами предстаёт картина какого-то мутного, зелёного болота. То и дело мелькают образы глупейших квестов и ситуаций, типа города детей или разборок супергероев. Ещё какой то мужик ходит и заявляет что он мой батя, игра как будто рассчитывает что у меня должна быть с ним какая-то эмоциональная связь, но зачем мне цифровой батя я не знаю, возможно это продуктВспоминая третий фолыч, перед глазами предстаёт картина какого-то мутного, зелёного болота. То и дело мелькают образы глупейших квестов и ситуаций, типа города детей или разборок супергероев. Ещё какой то мужик ходит и заявляет что он мой батя, игра как будто рассчитывает что у меня должна быть с ним какая-то эмоциональная связь, но зачем мне цифровой батя я не знаю, возможно это продукт каких то комплексов сценариста. В общем, непонятно зачем этот обливион с пушками был нужен, хотя… На его основе обсидианы потом сделали обалденный Нью Вегас. Так что, какое никакое сомнительное право на жизнь трёшка имеет.… Expand
  52. Jamesmac77
    Dec 17, 2021
    7
    Don't get me wrong, this game was great when it came out, but then fallout new vegas came out and pretty much destroyed fallout 3, still fallout 3 remains a good game to play if you haven't already
  53. Uarabei
    Feb 21, 2022
    7
    This is my first fallout and I really liked the atmosphere.

    Many said that this is Oblivion with machine guns, but the atmosphere and the setting are completely different. Interesting plot, average gameplay, average graphics for its time, but it was fun to play.
  54. Czechinator
    Aug 16, 2022
    7
    Great music and ambient sounds. Combat has aged badly. The story and dialogues were mediocre.The DLC was interesting and fun. the world was nice and interesting.
  55. MaxieZeus
    Sep 10, 2023
    7
    Fallout 3, developed by Bethesda Game Studios, is a seminal title in the open-world RPG genre, known for its expansive post-apocalyptic world, rich characters, and captivating stories. However, it's not without its shortcomings, with dated graphics even for its time and gameplay that can be described as less than stellar. Despite these issues, Fallout 3 remains a compelling and addictiveFallout 3, developed by Bethesda Game Studios, is a seminal title in the open-world RPG genre, known for its expansive post-apocalyptic world, rich characters, and captivating stories. However, it's not without its shortcomings, with dated graphics even for its time and gameplay that can be described as less than stellar. Despite these issues, Fallout 3 remains a compelling and addictive RPG experience, thanks in part to the innovative V.A.T.S system.

    One of the standout features of Fallout 3 is its immersive and intricately crafted post-apocalyptic world. The Capital Wasteland, a nuclear-ravaged version of Washington, D.C., is a desolate and hauntingly beautiful setting. The attention to detail in the game's environment design is remarkable, with crumbling buildings, radiation-soaked landscapes, and the remnants of a once-thriving civilization. Exploring this world is an adventure in itself, as every nook and cranny holds secrets, stories, and dangers.

    The characters and stories that populate the Capital Wasteland are where Fallout 3 truly shines. Bethesda has a knack for creating memorable NPCs with their own personalities, quirks, and motivations. Interacting with the denizens of this bleak world, each with their unique stories and quests, adds depth and authenticity to the experience. Whether it's the enigmatic Three Dog or the morally ambiguous characters you meet on your journey, Fallout 3's characters leave a lasting impression.

    However, Fallout 3's flaws become apparent when you turn your attention to its graphics and gameplay. Even at the time of its release, the game's graphics were far from cutting edge. Character models often appeared wooden, and the overall visual fidelity was subpar compared to contemporary titles. While some might argue that graphics aren't the most critical aspect of a game, it's hard to ignore that Fallout 3 felt visually dated even upon release.

    The gameplay, while serviceable, leaves much to be desired. The combat mechanics can be clunky and imprecise, and the shooting mechanics are less than satisfying. The saving grace here is the V.A.T.S (Vault-Tec Assisted Targeting System) system, which adds a strategic layer to the combat. It allows players to target specific body parts of enemies and pause the action, making fights more manageable and enjoyable. Without V.A.T.S, the gameplay might have been a major drawback, but this innovative system makes it bearable.

    Despite these issues, Fallout 3 remains an addicting RPG experience. The allure of exploring the vast wasteland, interacting with its denizens, and making impactful choices in a morally gray world is undeniably compelling. The game's flaws are noticeable but can be overlooked when you're engrossed in its storytelling and world-building.

    In summary, Fallout 3 is a game of contradictions. Its world, characters, and stories are fantastic, drawing players into a post-apocalyptic dystopia filled with rich narratives and moral dilemmas. However, its dated graphics and occasionally frustrating gameplay mechanics hold it back. Thankfully, the introduction of the V.A.T.S system salvages the gameplay, making it enjoyable. Despite its flaws, Fallout 3 is a testament to the power of storytelling in games, offering an addictive RPG experience that's hard to forget.    … Expand
  56. PenetratorGod
    Aug 20, 2023
    7
    It's a failure compared to Fallout New Vegas. If you play New Vegas first and then play this, the experience is definitely worse.
  57. Hyperfailure
    Nov 27, 2022
    7
    (╯°□°）╯︵ ┻━┻
    ┻━┻ ︵ ヽ(°□°ヽ)

    ┻━┻ ︵ ＼( °□° )／ ︵ ┻━┻

    ┬─┬ノ( º _ ºノ)

    (ﾉಥ益ಥ）ﾉ ┻━┻

    ┬──┬ ¯_(ツ)

    ┻━┻ ︵ヽ(`Д´)ﾉ︵ ┻━┻

    ┻━┻ ︵ ¯(ツ)/¯ ︵ ┻━┻

    (╯°Д°）╯︵ /(.□ . )

    ʕノ•ᴥ•ʔノ ︵ ┻━┻
  58. JostinAbad
    Jan 12, 2023
    7
    Lo senti muy inmersivo pero un poco carente de emocion en ciertos momentos o bugs, pero es un gran juego
  59. Naked_Snakee
    Mar 21, 2023
    7
    Just text (crutch) to save the game to the list. Such things. Maybe I'll do a review later.
  60. GhostlyMenace
    Apr 21, 2023
    7
    To start for a game that’s set two hundred years after nuclear hellfire, the world you’re introduced to looked like the bombs dropped twenty years ago. I believe after that amount of time the waterways wouldn’t be irradiated anymore. Everyone in this game is dressed like they're straight out of a Mad Max flick, and the gunplay is extremely dull. Back to the world, I understand its supposedTo start for a game that’s set two hundred years after nuclear hellfire, the world you’re introduced to looked like the bombs dropped twenty years ago. I believe after that amount of time the waterways wouldn’t be irradiated anymore. Everyone in this game is dressed like they're straight out of a Mad Max flick, and the gunplay is extremely dull. Back to the world, I understand its supposed to be a dark vision of the future but the general coloration of The Capital Wasteland can be very depressing. The jazz music the combat is set to is a strange combination, and most of the characters you encounter in the game are one dimensional and boring.… Expand
  61. jamlk
    Jun 12, 2023
    6
    For re-inventing the franchise it is a huge step. Looking apart from that it's kind of a mess. And the magic it gave in '08 sadly can't be felt as much.
  62. zcat5
    Jun 26, 2023
    6
    When released, this game was truly impressive. It built upon the masterpiece Oblivion, and it brought some impressive new elements of gameplay. Immensely fun to explore, and great atmosphere. It has been overshadowed by more modern games, but it was easily a 9.5/10 when it was released.
  63. UrchinChieftain
    Aug 29, 2023
    7
    The game had a lot of technical difficulties, it doesn't play like a good FPS, and has massive issues with RPG elements, but still provides a huge Map to explore and an overall good experience, it is my least favorite game out of the Fallout franchise.
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Awards & Rankings

3
#3 Best PC Game of 2008
1
#1 Most Discussed PC Game of 2008
1
#1 Most Shared PC Game of 2008

Critic Reviews

All reviews »
Metascore
91

Universal acclaim - based on 48 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 45 out of 48
  2. Mixed: 3 out of 48
  3. Negative: 0 out of 48
  1. PC PowerPlay
    90
    Minor niggles aside, Fallout 3 is almost entirely spectacular. Everything from the graphics, to the sound, to the plot is first-rate. The VATS system worlds like a charm, and it’s so easy to get the hang of, you’ll be cracking skulls like there’s no tomorrow. [Dec 2008, p.55]
  2. LEVEL (Czech Republic)
    100
    A vast and open world of unimaginable possibilities opens in front of you in Fallout 3. Great story, flawless combat system, and the option to choose your own way makes it a hot candidate for game of the year. [Nov 2008]
  3. Meristation
    95
    Fallout 3 is one of this year's best games. It's an unforgettable journey that lives up to the series. You are an ex-vault 101 inhabitant, and you discover a whole new world, full of zombies, mutants, raiders, aliens and all kinds of creatures. Welcome to this post-apocaliptic reality, where you are going to spend hundreds of hours.
    Read full review
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