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. chaos_1984
    Nov 4, 2012
    10
    PLAY THIS GAME. Its is simply amazing, playing the first 2 and tactics, I can tell you this lives up to and surpasses the originals. New Vegas was acceptable, but for 2008 this game is mind blowing.
  2. EvilTerrorizer
    Mar 10, 2015
    10
    First Fallout game I ever played. Loved it to death. Explored everything, went everywhere. Characters varied in depth, but overall I really got into the story. Vault dweller aspect was really cool.

    The graphics were also really good for the time. Variability of skins, armor and weapons was also pretty good, so I didn't really get bored with them. Having a companion with you was a    First Fallout game I ever played. Loved it to death. Explored everything, went everywhere. Characters varied in depth, but overall I really got into the story. Vault dweller aspect was really cool.

    The graphics were also really good for the time. Variability of skins, armor and weapons was also pretty good, so I didn't really get bored with them. Having a companion with you was a nice touch, but the AI pathing for them was a bit glitchy at times.    … Expand
  3. Odogreviews
    Dec 3, 2014
    7
    Fallout 3 is a great game overall but it has a few flaws. The game is extremely "glitchy" and has crashed on me a few times. The graphics are dated. This game has the best video game intro ever. I also loved the storytelling in the game. I would buy this game with caution though because of its glitches.
  4. Enlade
    Oct 2, 2018
    0
    The moment when Todd Howard got access to Fallout universe was the moment of this universe death. RIP Fallout.
  5. MadnessisRising
    May 17, 2019
    6
    Great game, but for me it got very boring after a few hours ingame. .
  6. SolidSovereign
    Nov 24, 2019
    10
    Fallout 3 is hands down the greatest fallout game in the series and one of the greatest RPG's of all time. Such an amazing experience to dive right into. I thoroughly enjoyed playing hundreds of hours of this game from start to finish from October 28th 2008 through November 24th of 2019.

    Story 10/10 Setting 10/10 Game-play 9.8/10 Graphics 8/10 (with mods 10/10) Music/sounds 10/10    Fallout 3 is hands down the greatest fallout game in the series and one of the greatest RPG's of all time. Such an amazing experience to dive right into. I thoroughly enjoyed playing hundreds of hours of this game from start to finish from October 28th 2008 through November 24th of 2019.

    Story 10/10
    Setting 10/10
    Game-play 9.8/10
    Graphics 8/10 (with mods 10/10)
    Music/sounds 10/10
    Replay-ability 10/10    … Expand
  7. yaRiKKKKKK
    Jul 20, 2020
    0
    I respect the Fallout series, but this is the worst part. From the very beginning of the game, after leaving the shelter, boredom begins. Especially the mission "Survival instructions". Why this flawed mission was added to the game is still not clear. The engine is simply disgusting, although for 2008 maybe norms.
    This game never went to the end, very boring.
  8. ccrogers15
    Nov 17, 2011
    1
    for what was a very creative and fun game series, fallout NV and 3 set an all time low. Sure, fallout 3 and NV pulled the series to 3d and open, and i admit it was kind of fun, but that fun was ruined by the major bugs, freezes, glitches and crashes i experienced on my copy. it happened on my PC,ps3 and 360 copies so its not my system. This is a very crap game that does not deserve afor what was a very creative and fun game series, fallout NV and 3 set an all time low. Sure, fallout 3 and NV pulled the series to 3d and open, and i admit it was kind of fun, but that fun was ruined by the major bugs, freezes, glitches and crashes i experienced on my copy. it happened on my PC,ps3 and 360 copies so its not my system. This is a very crap game that does not deserve a sequel. If 4 gets made, it must not be developed by obsidian and not use that crap gamebryo engine. I cant even tell you how bad the DLC makes it. Its unplayable after 3 hours gameplay. its like it purposly freezes to tick you off!… Expand
  9. horatius83
    Sep 23, 2010
    0
    A great game attempted to get through, but was crushed under the heaping pile of excrement that is the Gamebryo engine. It adds an element of suspense though, should I save now or walk a few minutes more and risk it crashing to desktop for no reason at all? The same problems that plagued Elder Scrolls Oblivion came back in spades, to the point where attempting some of the expansion packsA great game attempted to get through, but was crushed under the heaping pile of excrement that is the Gamebryo engine. It adds an element of suspense though, should I save now or walk a few minutes more and risk it crashing to desktop for no reason at all? The same problems that plagued Elder Scrolls Oblivion came back in spades, to the point where attempting some of the expansion packs makes the game completely unplayable. I love the Fallout series and have played them all, but I really wish they'd hand the series over to someone more capable.… Expand
  10. Tomisbad
    Jul 18, 2013
    0
    If you like to consume fresh feces then you will like to play this game, however if you don't like eating fresh feces then don't play this game. Daniel Nem Singh does not approve of this game.
  11. metacrtcreview
    Mar 28, 2012
    0
    One of the worst games I've ever played. This game is terrible. There are much better games than this. The critics provided good reviews for this game and I don't know why. The game is terrible.â
  12. ChuckL.
    Dec 26, 2008
    0
    Wow! This game is totally awesome! Selecting your sex, your Look, and first missions when you are a baby. Fixing guns, armor accessories and other stuff. And details of world and effects are amazing! THANK YOU FALLOUT3 team! :3
  13. gamng
    Aug 14, 2010
    10
    Game have too many slave-quests, like make this, and for this u must run 100 miles and shoot to all generated monsters and crime-men.

    Fallout 1 and 2 was made for more freedom of players. And if u clear some place this place still clean.

    For playing with enjoy player must fully understand textual and audio information in game. But Fallout 3 on Steam-system was without Russian language.
  14. Shefath
    Sep 7, 2010
    10
    This game is good..very good.The rpg elements are good.the gameplay is awesome,and the story is also very interesting.I was very amazed of the work done by bethesda softworks.It was very good.
  15. sherbz
    Oct 29, 2015
    4
    Personally for me this game is a bit of a flop and i cant really fathom why it has such great scores. It isnt bad, but it certainly isnt great. It is horrendously buggy as well, even for a bethesda game. There is little in the way of narrative which means there is a lack of story to it. Its basically a big sandbox, but there are better sand boxes out there if you ask me. It is also aPersonally for me this game is a bit of a flop and i cant really fathom why it has such great scores. It isnt bad, but it certainly isnt great. It is horrendously buggy as well, even for a bethesda game. There is little in the way of narrative which means there is a lack of story to it. Its basically a big sandbox, but there are better sand boxes out there if you ask me. It is also a big problem in not being able to drive around the wasteland. A bike would have gone a long way to making this game better. It really is a bit like GTA without cars. The UI is pretty horrible and the dialogue screen is also pretty ugly. And I dont think the character models are particularly good either. The combat is ok, but again, could be better. All in all i actually enjoyed playing RAGE more than this, becaus ethe combat was better and there was a better storyline running through it. I think this is an average game. Get it on a big sale, but otherwise dont bother. There are better games out there if you ask me.… Expand
  16. Orctownorc
    Oct 5, 2012
    10
    I know this game fails to capture the spirit of Fallouts 1 & 2, but its still a whole lot of fun. I know that the main quest is pretty bad, but its still a whole lot of fun. I hate the vaults in this game. I don't enjoy picking around through the same dumb-assed assets everywhere you go. Despite all that this game is a MAGNIFICENT ACHIEVEMENT. No game is perfect, and this game has plentyI know this game fails to capture the spirit of Fallouts 1 & 2, but its still a whole lot of fun. I know that the main quest is pretty bad, but its still a whole lot of fun. I hate the vaults in this game. I don't enjoy picking around through the same dumb-assed assets everywhere you go. Despite all that this game is a MAGNIFICENT ACHIEVEMENT. No game is perfect, and this game has plenty of little details about it that irritate, more than a few. Still you can't deny the amazing feeling you get in Fallout 3, that you really are walking around in a desolate post-apocalyptic wasteland. I can't undersatand the level of love for Skyrim, in which your character's progression has been violated by horrible design changes and you have to endure a horrible UI. Nor can I understand the 'purist objections to this game, where the UI and character progression are so WELL done. Buggy Shmuggy! Fallout 3 is FANTASTIC!… Expand
  17. cheRRymonk
    Oct 30, 2013
    0
    The worst first-person Fallout game you could imagine! Small game map, oblivion-like instances, bad skill balance, horrible graphics (even old Fallout isometric graphics looks better), combats are extremely boring, VATS is nothing here while you have a high skilled character after 13 of game and a 99% headshot chance...
  18. carlosgtardon
    Jun 10, 2014
    9
    Otro de los juegos que más pavor me producía que hicieran mal pero cuyo resultado fue mejor del esperado. Uno de los grandes mundos abiertos en los que vagabundear por DC destruido por bombas nucleares ya vale el precio. Sin duda una compra óptima.
  19. Fuzi0n
    Apr 11, 2013
    0
    The worst Fallout game and one of the worst games I have ever played.

    If you want a Fallout game with a first person view that actually feels like a Fallout game, then get Fallout: New Vegas, it is a great game!

    Avoid this huge pile of crap at all costs. You have been warned.
  20. SilentDogwood
    Nov 18, 2011
    10
    Fallout 3 is asking a lot. It asks to be forgiven for mediocre graphics, for a forgettable storyline, for poor AI, for poor animation and for linear directed characters. The funny thing is, this game is one of the greatest I have ever played. I can't really describe why, you just need to play the game for yourself. It manages to immerse you fully as you explore the Capital Wasteland. ItFallout 3 is asking a lot. It asks to be forgiven for mediocre graphics, for a forgettable storyline, for poor AI, for poor animation and for linear directed characters. The funny thing is, this game is one of the greatest I have ever played. I can't really describe why, you just need to play the game for yourself. It manages to immerse you fully as you explore the Capital Wasteland. It manages to convey a feeling of pure epicness and you take out a super mutant with a sniper rifle from miles away while listening to the tunes of GNR. Fallout 3 expects us to play the game with a degree of leniency, and funnily enough, after playing for an hour or two most people forget the bugs and glitches that plague this game.… Expand
  21. whatever523
    Oct 25, 2015
    0
    Low violence version = low score review

    The game wasn't even in danger of being censored or anything, it was just pure laziness on Bethesda's part to avoid the German violence rating process.
  22. Jacer200
    May 10, 2014
    7
    I played a fully modded version from Nexus mods. This is a good RPG to play if you are itching for a classic western game to play. Fully modded the game looked really good for being so old. The story did not grip me that much but it was still fun to play. I found playing with a 360 controller to be far superior than keyboard and mouse. I am playing this right after Dark Souls. And the 29I played a fully modded version from Nexus mods. This is a good RPG to play if you are itching for a classic western game to play. Fully modded the game looked really good for being so old. The story did not grip me that much but it was still fun to play. I found playing with a 360 controller to be far superior than keyboard and mouse. I am playing this right after Dark Souls. And the 29 hours it took me to play this game took me by surprise after playing a 65 hour game. But overall a good game on sale. This is a must play because Fallout 4 is in the chamber.… Expand
  23. Goodbad
    Jun 11, 2021
    0
    This game is copycat of fallout 1,2 in many ways. Very few new stories are added. Not even a proper RPG
  24. [ANONYMOUS]
    Nov 4, 2009
    5
    As someone who loves the main quest more than any side quest, this game was a huge disappointment. I had the game (not counting downloadable content) done in 13 hours; I never felt compelled to explore the world outside the main quest. Maybe I'm the only one who feels this way, but I really, really wish I'd saved my money for Dragon Age.
  25. FrankF
    Feb 7, 2009
    6
    Very very over rated. It's Oblivion with a coat of paint and a few allusions to a classic series of games. I regret buying the lunchbox edition. When I first started the game it was very promising, the first town is great and the missions in it fairly original. As the game progressed, however, the missions became drab, the towns too. Rivet City is utterly insipid - I never made it Very very over rated. It's Oblivion with a coat of paint and a few allusions to a classic series of games. I regret buying the lunchbox edition. When I first started the game it was very promising, the first town is great and the missions in it fairly original. As the game progressed, however, the missions became drab, the towns too. Rivet City is utterly insipid - I never made it past that. Could have been great, a promising start, but ultimately drab.… Expand
  26. TomB
    Nov 2, 2008
    6
    Fallout 3 is definitely better than its predecessor. However after playing for just hours I feel that it was released to early, as it crashes for no apparent reason (cant actually attribute every crash to one exact thing). The graphics are disappointing considering the technology available today, even when set to high. The gameplay is exciting and the V.A.T.S. system a very nice addition. Fallout 3 is definitely better than its predecessor. However after playing for just hours I feel that it was released to early, as it crashes for no apparent reason (cant actually attribute every crash to one exact thing). The graphics are disappointing considering the technology available today, even when set to high. The gameplay is exciting and the V.A.T.S. system a very nice addition. The story so far flows very nicely and the amount of choices is overwhelming (thats good, makes it less linear).… Expand
  27. BillM.
    Nov 8, 2008
    10
    So atmospheric, and so much to explore. Easily one of the best games this year. People who give this a 0 have a bad case of sour grapes. When you look at most user scores they're between 8-10. Do metacritic use standard mean for the user rating average? Even median would be more useful because it would lessen the effect of a few crazies who give out 0s.
  28. PeterBaltzerH.
    Feb 22, 2009
    5
    Poor RPG poor FPS pretty damm horrible story and writing fun for 5 secs super overexagerated gore and violence which is gratified in the extreme thoughout this game horrible pc conversion, huge fonts makes reading text pretty damm annoying and generally the game suffers from the conversion is so many ways to frustate the player with the UI being my biggest annoyance. a game aimed at the Poor RPG poor FPS pretty damm horrible story and writing fun for 5 secs super overexagerated gore and violence which is gratified in the extreme thoughout this game horrible pc conversion, huge fonts makes reading text pretty damm annoying and generally the game suffers from the conversion is so many ways to frustate the player with the UI being my biggest annoyance. a game aimed at the teen market with a mature rating.… Expand
  29. SiegfriedT
    Mar 30, 2009
    6
    Fallout 3 is essentially an action-RPG that draws much of its attraction from the immersive qualities of the first person perspective. The player is surrounded by a bleak post-apocalyptic world that is often beautiful and impressive. The engine shows its age, the animations often look bad and many sound effects are mediocre, but all these flaws can be forgiven. What truly drags this game Fallout 3 is essentially an action-RPG that draws much of its attraction from the immersive qualities of the first person perspective. The player is surrounded by a bleak post-apocalyptic world that is often beautiful and impressive. The engine shows its age, the animations often look bad and many sound effects are mediocre, but all these flaws can be forgiven. What truly drags this game down are the nonsensical plot, shallow NPCs and terrible dialogues aggravated by uneven voice acting that ultimately is worse than mediocre. Players who just want to run around a post-apocalyptic world killing mutants while collecting "phat loot" and increasing their stats may easily overlook such flaws and enjoy this game.… Expand
  30. LukaM.
    Nov 27, 2008
    6
    A decent game, but unfortunately nothing revolutionary, unlike the original Fallout games which are in many aspects more advanced than their successor. I would classify it as an average FPS with minor elements of RPG. This game simply tries to impress an audience which is too wide and diverse, which makes it an average product at best.
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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.
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