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. franchert
    Dec 27, 2013
    10
    I will admit some bias as this was my first open-world go and do what you want game, but the moments that make you feel as though you are watching a movie instead of playing a game make this game worth it. The graphics make sense for its time, the characters you encounter are believable and you can relate with each of them, the combat is just difficult enough to make you work (while notI will admit some bias as this was my first open-world go and do what you want game, but the moments that make you feel as though you are watching a movie instead of playing a game make this game worth it. The graphics make sense for its time, the characters you encounter are believable and you can relate with each of them, the combat is just difficult enough to make you work (while not hindering you) and you want to go back to explore more even after beating the game.… Expand
  2. xAtlas
    Dec 27, 2013
    10
    This is one of my all-time favourite games. The story is captivating and there is SO much to do in the Capital Wasteland. There are many side-quests and freeform quests, and dozens of items to collect.
    The PC version, in my opinion, as far better than the console ports, mostly because of the controls. I find this game MUCH easier to play with a mouse rather than a controller.
    Also, the    This is one of my all-time favourite games. The story is captivating and there is SO much to do in the Capital Wasteland. There are many side-quests and freeform quests, and dozens of items to collect.
    The PC version, in my opinion, as far better than the console ports, mostly because of the controls. I find this game MUCH easier to play with a mouse rather than a controller.
    Also, the DLC is amazing. Each one adds at least two or three hours of gameplay, or even more.

    In short, if you like RPG games and/or action games, GET THIS GAME NOW.    … Expand
  3. Genezi
    Jun 10, 2017
    10
    Best radio ever! Great game. i have spent a lot of time on this title. It has a great story with memorable characters. Good gameplay and best cut scenes with good dialogs.
  4. junedragon3
    Mar 20, 2014
    10
    Open world gameplay at it's finest. I had loads of fun just exploring the vast Capitol Wasteland rich with countless interesting set locations as well as random events/encounters. For the vast "emptiness" of the wasteland, I never felt bored once. You can even essentially choose to not play the story at all and still have loads of fun. Definitely worth buying.
  5. mclure
    Aug 23, 2014
    10
    Good game with lots of places to explore and quests to complete, it's a post-apocalyptic world where you carve your own path and choose to be good, evil or neutral.
  6. TheFoxPhoenix
    Jun 10, 2014
    10
    Man, some will say it's fanboy-thing, but no, it's not, this game is one of the games of my life, because all is so immersive (despite a little in the graphics), and opened, just like every little thing in this game have an history, an detail, that can be founded and explored. If you like either FPS or RPG, buy this game, you'll won't regret it!
  7. Witherfang
    Jun 21, 2014
    10
    i am a fan of the fallout 3 to new vegas ik thats not a true fan but its really nice all i hv to say is bathesda if u make it anything like skyrim except graphics i will FREAGGIN HATE IT. skyrim was a good idea but u guys executed it wrong. correct your mistakes with fallout 4 and the new elder scrolls plz. thx if u do and screw u if u dont.

    this games gets a 9.5/10 i love it to peices    i am a fan of the fallout 3 to new vegas ik thats not a true fan but its really nice all i hv to say is bathesda if u make it anything like skyrim except graphics i will FREAGGIN HATE IT. skyrim was a good idea but u guys executed it wrong. correct your mistakes with fallout 4 and the new elder scrolls plz. thx if u do and screw u if u dont.

    this games gets a 9.5/10 i love it to peices but the low amount of ammo makes it challenging,..more challenging put it like that but without a challenge u only have skyrim so :P *srry bathesda* BUT YALL DID VERY WELL I HOPE YALL MAKE MORE AND I say this game should be bought by every1. thank your for reading i know the coding in the begining is hard but its worth it i might even make a download to make life easy for yall    … Expand
  8. THEBIGPOOPER69
    Oct 1, 2014
    10
    this is my most favoritest game i ever playeded!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
  9. yo_mama_so_fat
    Oct 22, 2014
    10
    THE best Bethesda game to date in my opinion. With over 200 hours in Fallout 3, the game just keeps on getting better. Counting aside some typical Bethesda bugs, this might just be the perfect game.
  10. HunterTheCritic
    Dec 18, 2014
    10
    One of the greatest game's I've very played. It's just so damn fun, and there's so much to do. You wouldn't imagine how many hours I put into this game. The graphics are sexy, the Storyline is really interesting, and there's also tons of side quests and other tasks to do so as well. They did a well done job with the DLC as well, I definitely recommend downloading the DLC. The achievementsOne of the greatest game's I've very played. It's just so damn fun, and there's so much to do. You wouldn't imagine how many hours I put into this game. The graphics are sexy, the Storyline is really interesting, and there's also tons of side quests and other tasks to do so as well. They did a well done job with the DLC as well, I definitely recommend downloading the DLC. The achievements also give you something to stride for so you can awesome experience. I got about 58 out of 72 done, it may take me a while but I won't give up. The way the game functions is a lot like Skyrim, so if you're a Skyrim fan you may like this a lot. If you ever have a chance and you see this at the store, I'd pick this up an a blink of an eye!… Expand
  11. TheWildBlue
    Jan 4, 2015
    10
    My all-time favorite video game. I like New Vegas, too, but I find Fallout 3 offers a better narrative.

    Unfortunately, if this game didn't have modders that have made it work right/better, this game would be a buggier mess than it already is. NOTE: You need mods to play this game correctly. Some people don't like to expend the energy to do so, and I understand it's daunting, but it's    My all-time favorite video game. I like New Vegas, too, but I find Fallout 3 offers a better narrative.

    Unfortunately, if this game didn't have modders that have made it work right/better, this game would be a buggier mess than it already is. NOTE: You need mods to play this game correctly. Some people don't like to expend the energy to do so, and I understand it's daunting, but it's so worth it. I couldn't imagine playing this game without the Wanderer's Edition mod.

    No, you don't need to have played the first two titles to appreciate this one.

    Though this is an FPS/3rd person adventure, do not come in expecting it to be CoD/BF with a gripping storyline. It's far deeper than that.    … Expand
  12. Signas501
    Mar 30, 2015
    10
    Bethesdas next gem, Fallout 3 takes place in the capital wasteland after an apocalyptic war. The player is placed inside of Vault 101, one of the few last known surviving vault in the wastes, not to mention the last sane vault. Unfortunately after years of constant stress to save the wasteland, the players father escapes the vault causing the inhabitants to go on a rampage. After aBethesdas next gem, Fallout 3 takes place in the capital wasteland after an apocalyptic war. The player is placed inside of Vault 101, one of the few last known surviving vault in the wastes, not to mention the last sane vault. Unfortunately after years of constant stress to save the wasteland, the players father escapes the vault causing the inhabitants to go on a rampage. After a dangerous escape the player is given free roam through the hazardous Capital wasteland in search for is father, and the G.E.C.K (garden Eden creation kit)… Expand
  13. CanyonsGaming
    Jul 22, 2015
    10
    This review contains spoilers, click expand to view. One of the best games of last gen, has a great story line and had me longing to find the Dad. But still Fallout New Vegas is superior to Fallout 3. The graphics are still good to this day.… Expand
  14. TheAnchor
    Jun 11, 2015
    10
    Maybe my rose tinted glasses are on but this game was flawless for 2008 now writing this review in 2015 with the announcement of Fallout 4 (HYPE!) i went back and played FO3 again and though the wasteland doesn't have much color and is a bit bland i had a great time with the vast wastelands and the struggling war torn cities with many memorable characters and companions (DOGMEAT!) theMaybe my rose tinted glasses are on but this game was flawless for 2008 now writing this review in 2015 with the announcement of Fallout 4 (HYPE!) i went back and played FO3 again and though the wasteland doesn't have much color and is a bit bland i had a great time with the vast wastelands and the struggling war torn cities with many memorable characters and companions (DOGMEAT!) the radio system and threedog is interesting and the karma system keeps you from being a complete **** and mini nuking everything with the fatboy a small gripe i had with the game was the facial mechanics because they stay dead looking into your **** soul but besides that its a great story also known as you worship your dad (Liam Nessan)

    Either way its a great game with a vast open world, memorable characters, and a good story.    … Expand
  15. EarlessSpark027
    Jul 24, 2015
    10
    This game stole my childhood. Bethesda crafted what is, in my opinion, the best RRG ever made. Although not perfect, it has some issues, the game's story, gameplay, side missions, characters, setting, DLC, dark humor, and exploration are incredible and blend in to make a wonderful journey in an otherwise dangerous and bleak world. It is a masterpiece without equal.
  16. IHateEchoOfSoul
    Jul 24, 2015
    10
    10/10 Bethesda went to town on this one, better than Fallout New Vegas as this game is emotionally engaging and makes you care about the story in which fallout new Vegas' story was forgettable and more of a chore than an engaging story. Fallout 3 takes you through the life of your chosen vault dweller and makes character development with your Dad who you get a genuine lump in your throat10/10 Bethesda went to town on this one, better than Fallout New Vegas as this game is emotionally engaging and makes you care about the story in which fallout new Vegas' story was forgettable and more of a chore than an engaging story. Fallout 3 takes you through the life of your chosen vault dweller and makes character development with your Dad who you get a genuine lump in your throat when he ***spoilers***dies***spoilers but if you haven't played this game its your own fault for being so behind in playing masterpieces. Although its follow up game F:NV was an excellent game, it had less story telling, a smaller world and invisible walls that really took you out the experience. It had good potential and the name to back it up but would have gotten a lot lower rating if not for the elements introduced in fallout 3 by Bethesda. If fallout 4 is even half as good as this game, it will still be a master piece 11/10… Expand
  17. blilb97
    Aug 31, 2015
    10
    One of the best games ever made! I have spent hours in the Capitol Wasteland, numerous play throughs, and it never gets old. Exploration, story and game play are all awesome!
  18. flattyfour
    Sep 18, 2015
    10
    Boy did I love this game. It's what got me into the western RPG games. Everything from the rewarding aspect of exploring to the quirky far reaching writing, to the blending of 3rd person and FPS. First game where i'd set the camera shot before shutting down for the night. Good times.
  19. SleepNot
    Mar 28, 2020
    10
    Fallout 3 is a perfect action RPG game! I love post apocalyptic atmosphere! Very interesting gameplay!
  20. ImBatman2
    Dec 14, 2015
    10
    Very good game and super cheap on steam. The world is massive with hundreds of hours of replayability. The shooting is interesting as it's impossible to hit anything if your accuracy is bad. Overall just really fun and worth the $10 it is on steam
  21. Pagani202
    Apr 3, 2016
    10
    Fallout 3. Immersive, intriguing, and badass. The story is one of the best stories in gaming. I find it to be just as good a story as BioShock. You may hear,"Oh it's just you tryna find your dad. It's really not that interesting." To HELL with that. You need to actually expirience this game in order to truly and fully appreciate Fallout 3's story. Three issues I have with the game. NumberFallout 3. Immersive, intriguing, and badass. The story is one of the best stories in gaming. I find it to be just as good a story as BioShock. You may hear,"Oh it's just you tryna find your dad. It's really not that interesting." To HELL with that. You need to actually expirience this game in order to truly and fully appreciate Fallout 3's story. Three issues I have with the game. Number one, the game will not work properly on Windows 7 or above. Now this CAN BE FIXED. If you cannot figure it out, message me because I want you to enjoy this game. Number two, the visuals are not impressive. This was to be expected with a huge open world RPG such as this. Like most other games, you can modify this game. Taking the visuals to a whole 'nother level. It rivals SKYRIM and BIOSHOCK INFINITE. That said, you need a beefy graphics card to handle the visual mods. With advanced shaders, blue skies and better looking textures, this game looks phenomenal. I don't enjoy the fact that you have to modify the game to make it prettier, but what has to be done must be done. Having siad that, the game isn't unbearable vanilla. I said the visuals are not impressive, not that they are bad. Number three, Fallout has a reputation for being one of the BUGGIEST PIECES OF LOVELY **** It isn't as bad as DayZ but the fact that the two can even be compared is saddening to me. Fortunately, most common and random bugs disappear when playing on pc. They occasionally occur and most are easy fixes. Most. Crashing is eliminated with a 4gb patch and stuttering is solved with a simple mod. At long last you can enjoy your childhood once more at 60fps (good graphics card) and no crashing as it did on console. I rate 10/10 vanilla on PC, 9/10 on console and with mods 11/10. I would recommend this game a million times if I could.… Expand
  22. Seafox89
    Jun 12, 2016
    10
    Probably the closest thing to a perfect game, and easily a 10/10. Everything you love about Oblivion's vast open-world RPG style, but with a great Fallout story in a post-apocalyptic wasteland. Top notch main quests, seemingly endless side-quests, huge map to explore, excellent leveling, skill point, and karma system. There's really nothing negative that I can say about this game. AnProbably the closest thing to a perfect game, and easily a 10/10. Everything you love about Oblivion's vast open-world RPG style, but with a great Fallout story in a post-apocalyptic wasteland. Top notch main quests, seemingly endless side-quests, huge map to explore, excellent leveling, skill point, and karma system. There's really nothing negative that I can say about this game. An overall unforgettable gaming experience with a wide variety of immersive post-apocalyptic adventures. Highly recommended.… Expand
  23. duckhost
    Sep 15, 2016
    10
    Esse jogo é tão vasto e denso, tantas coisas para se fazer e tanto para se explorar, esse jogo é um MUST PLAY se vc gosta de RPGs, Fallout 3 foi um jogo feito com carinho.
  24. Baluberda
    Jun 18, 2016
    10
    Tons of references of good films with a good story behind. Literally buoght ps3 just to play it, its just too much to explain and postproduction is exponentially good
  25. vdanja
    Nov 16, 2016
    10
    As a huge fan of Fallout 1-2 and also Elder Scrolls series this one of the best thing that could ever happen to me in the gaming world. I remember Fallout 1 was one of the game that really helped me to learn English and I believe Fallout 3 is decent sequel.
    10/10.
  26. alexfsmw
    May 25, 2017
    10
    This is definitely one of the greatest games of all time. I started playing it a couple years ago and at first was not sure if I liked it, but after a few hours I was completely hooked. This is way more than just a game, it's really a great new world. The graphics, the stories, the characters, the gameplay are brilliant. This is the only game to my memory (maybe Skyrim is another one, butThis is definitely one of the greatest games of all time. I started playing it a couple years ago and at first was not sure if I liked it, but after a few hours I was completely hooked. This is way more than just a game, it's really a great new world. The graphics, the stories, the characters, the gameplay are brilliant. This is the only game to my memory (maybe Skyrim is another one, but it's been a while since I played it so don't quite remember) where I just really enjoy walking around and exploring the world without having any quests active, as you never know what or who you will find and it is just a pleasure to discover new places and just stop and enjoy the views. The characters are well developed and feel like real people with their own stories. Overall, this is a masterpiece and a must play and I would give it a higher than 10 score if I could.… Expand
  27. buranya
    Mar 24, 2017
    10
    One game we all should have played. That's how i would define Fallout 3.

    A free RPG game, inmense world, full of quests, a very nice plot, and a lot of action. The V.A.T.S system is very nice, and it may save you from a bad situation. The leveling system is nice, choosing some perks depending on where you place your points. You can make your character in a lot of different ways. The    One game we all should have played. That's how i would define Fallout 3.

    A free RPG game, inmense world, full of quests, a very nice plot, and a lot of action. The V.A.T.S system is very nice, and it may save you from a bad situation. The leveling system is nice, choosing some perks depending on where you place your points. You can make your character in a lot of different ways. The graphics, always thinking back on 2008, are very good (not the better of their epoca, but very good given the immense world it places around the player).

    If there's anything bad of the game, it's all the bugs you may encounter playing it. There're plenty of bugs on the game, some of them very funny, others quite disappointing as they limite your progression. But, given the opportunity to play this jewel on a PC, with the console enabled you should get rid of all of them.

    Another good thing i would like to speak about is the reborn of this saga. Fallout 3 was a risky production, reviving a saga and trying to bring it back, with a complete new feature, new type of game, but trying to maintain the good aspects of the classical games; interesting story, a complete devastated world, where the last remnants of humanity are placed against a wall and punched one time and another in the jab. In this world, the player may decide the fate of humanity; give it a try or send everything away and be completely naive.

    This is why i decided to give the game the maximun score. It is a reborn of a saga, giving a very interesting story to tell, a lot of side-quests, a vast world full of things to be discovered. The bad thing are the bugs, but as i can't put a 9.5 i decided to give it a 10.    … Expand
  28. nereed678
    May 23, 2019
    10
    Best game in the fallout series. With one of the best stories in video games, and an incredible world this game has solidified itself in history
  29. CasperWenneke
    Aug 4, 2018
    10
    i have not been let down by any of Bethesda's games. They are all masterpiece's, that will probably never be forgotten, this also goes for Fallout 3. I played this first when on my ps3 when i was about 11 or 12. I am now 16 and have completed the game once again on the pc. And the game is still as great as i remember it, i would suggest this amazing Post-Apocalyptic RPG to anyone who lovesi have not been let down by any of Bethesda's games. They are all masterpiece's, that will probably never be forgotten, this also goes for Fallout 3. I played this first when on my ps3 when i was about 11 or 12. I am now 16 and have completed the game once again on the pc. And the game is still as great as i remember it, i would suggest this amazing Post-Apocalyptic RPG to anyone who loves action and role-playing games, it has a great mix between the two. The game has great characters and "factions" and fun and gory combat with the weapons and V.A.T.S system (Vault-Tec Assisted Targeting). 10/10 anyone who i's looking for a cool Post-Apocalyptic game and haven't tried this one. should surely give this one a try… Expand
  30. 119811
    Oct 9, 2017
    10
    Fallout 3, you're SPECIAL....
    For a game that came out in 2008, it still brings me much enjoyment to this very day.
    I first played the game sometime in 2010 and It was love at first sight. The map was enormous, choices were everywhere and the mass amount of junk you could pick up was perfect for that one spot in my Tenpenny tower that was starting to get a little lonely. I played    Fallout 3, you're SPECIAL....
    For a game that came out in 2008, it still brings me much enjoyment to this very day.
    I first played the game sometime in 2010 and It was love at first sight.

    The map was enormous, choices were everywhere and the mass amount of junk you could pick up was perfect for that one spot in my Tenpenny tower that was starting to get a little lonely.

    I played it non-stop, all day every day on my ps3 for longer than I can remember. I probably had about a hundred hours in my first week on it, it is just so gripping.

    Once I completed the main quest I had thought about backtracking and completing all the side quests I had once neglected, but I didn't. Instead, I restarted from the very start, created a whole new character and finished every single mission I found in bliss.

    I have lost count of how many times I have replayed Fallout 3. There are so many different options and dialogue choices I could never resist the urge to play it.

    Only recently I added mods to the game to add some graphical enhances on top of many new quests and new items and played through its entirety once more. I enjoyed every single moment of it.

    On Fallout 3, you have many different skills to level up. You can choose to go into sneaking, pickpocketing, lockpicking, speech, unarmed, big guns, explosives, barter and many other skills.

    On top of skills to learn there are 58 regular perks, 5 special perks and 7 quest perks in the normal game. More can be added through certain mods and DLC but there is really no need as the vanilla amount is already very high.

    On top of skills, you have a Vault-Tec Assisted Targeting (VAT) installed in your pipboy (a device you wear on your arm to access menus) which brings time to a halt and allows you to target your enemies and have a chance to shoot their limbs, so long as your confident with the percentage to hit them that is.

    Honestly, if you have not played this game yet you are truly missing out on an amazing game.

    Sure, its graphics have aged and there may be bugs (It's a Bethesda game after all) but graphics and bugs are easily fixed with a mod or two.    … Expand
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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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