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. |CA|Gir
    Jul 15, 2009
    10
    This game is one of the best role-play games I have ever played. The role-play part doesn't interfere with the story line, which I found very nice. The weapons are very realistic because they can get f=damaged and that causes them to do less damage. The NPC AI isn't as bad as some say. So they make a wrong turn, or don't listen to you, or walk into a rock. So what. No AI is This game is one of the best role-play games I have ever played. The role-play part doesn't interfere with the story line, which I found very nice. The weapons are very realistic because they can get f=damaged and that causes them to do less damage. The NPC AI isn't as bad as some say. So they make a wrong turn, or don't listen to you, or walk into a rock. So what. No AI is perfect. Another part of this game is you can customize the color of your Pip-Boy and your HUD. And a nice part about the role-play is that you can be good or evil. And even if your evil, you can still become good. The karma system is very cool. The karma even effects how people like you in the game. I can't think of anything else. Best game ever.… Expand
  2. AdamG
    Jul 12, 2009
    8
    Fallout 3 is a great game but incredibly glitched and most of the time you'll find your self wedged between a tree and a hill. Forcing me to reload an older save. Another feature is what you have done in the affects the rest of the game and multiple choices of finishing quests.
  3. EnglishDan
    Jul 11, 2009
    8
    I would give this a 10, as it is probably the best game I have ever played. The only problem is the crashes, this game crashes so much, I'm not really getting anywhere with it, because it just goes to the last save, though I have noticed disabling SLI cuts them down a bit, and there are patches (if you can get them). So, if you can be bothered trying to fix this game up and making I would give this a 10, as it is probably the best game I have ever played. The only problem is the crashes, this game crashes so much, I'm not really getting anywhere with it, because it just goes to the last save, though I have noticed disabling SLI cuts them down a bit, and there are patches (if you can get them). So, if you can be bothered trying to fix this game up and making optimum conditions for it so it doesn't crash so much, or if you think you can handle it crashing every 5 mins (and sometimes it can be as much as every 10 secs, seriously), then this is a brilliant game.… Expand
  4. AndrewL
    Jul 8, 2009
    9
    It gets off to a slow start but Fallout 3 really pays off. Once you've escaped Vault 101 you feel the impact of the nuclear war and the game doesn't stop reminding you. Sadly for a 3rd-Generation game the graphics aren't up to scratch. While visually its absolutely stunning, the body movements of AI's is hideous and it becomes a mess when several of them come up to the It gets off to a slow start but Fallout 3 really pays off. Once you've escaped Vault 101 you feel the impact of the nuclear war and the game doesn't stop reminding you. Sadly for a 3rd-Generation game the graphics aren't up to scratch. While visually its absolutely stunning, the body movements of AI's is hideous and it becomes a mess when several of them come up to the screen and start waving around infront of you. VATS (slow motion cinematic attacks) will definitely miss when this happens and usually when your cornered you're reduced to your melee. Though its not like you happily switch to your melee weapon, this happens after you've wasted your EXTREMELY PRECIOUS ammo, which the game doesn't give nearly enough of. Other than those flaws, that are often found with nitpicking, the game lives to standards of an amazing (hybrid) First and Third Person Shooter RPG. Although, while the Third Person option is available, it's far too poorly constructed. The crosshair is much too small in the first place, and when your character runs on a diagonal axis it looks like they are floating (honestly, you can't play without moving diagonally). You can fix this by zooming in close enough and only showing from north of your characters belt. It work's perfectly - shame though that PS3 and X360 couldnt do this, PC version reigns supreme for this feature. Again, minor things that don't exactly affect gameplay. It makes up for this with a gripping storyline, that never seemed to end. There are countless side quests if you don't mind exploring the map, which you probably won't. Excavation of random shopping malls, mines and silo's is as exciting as can be, finding new guns and new threads. The game is very very addictive and every gamer should own it.… Expand
  5. Dom
    Jul 6, 2009
    10
    Excellent game. It brings the amazing features and qualities Bethesda brought with Oblivion, and melds them with the Fallout world. This game is tons of fun to play, and has a great story.
  6. RasmusE.
    Jul 5, 2009
    10
    Word's cant describe how much fun I've had with Falout 3. At the very moment i sav it was 75% Off i had to buy it! I didn't regret the buy as I've done with so many other games because right now I've spent more than 50 Hours playing and Exploring Washington DC and its surroundings.
  7. Tongs
    Jul 5, 2009
    9
    Overall, a great game. I struggled with a rating, but in the end went with a 9 because despite its flaws, it's really a very fun and addicting game that still keeps me coming back to play it. The main storyline isn't thrilling, but the numerous side quests and unmarked side activities hold the player's interest and are far more fun than the main quests. Tons of stuff to Overall, a great game. I struggled with a rating, but in the end went with a 9 because despite its flaws, it's really a very fun and addicting game that still keeps me coming back to play it. The main storyline isn't thrilling, but the numerous side quests and unmarked side activities hold the player's interest and are far more fun than the main quests. Tons of stuff to find and explore, lots of situations to deal with. The game's problems are significant, though, and this is where rating it is difficult. The graphics are pretty good on the highest settings, but I've noticed that it slows down computers (sometimes even the consoles) more than it ever should. A machine that runs Far Cry 2 flawlessly will still have trouble with F3 from time to time. Lots of oversights; floating objects/debris piles/buildings/etc. Many bugs and glitches that are potentially game-breaking. Character animations needed some work, and I did not like the built-in inaccuracy of the weapons. The fact that I still give it a 9 out of 10 shows that I think the gameplay is solid, and the game, at its core, is a great one.… Expand
  8. Silentkiller
    Jul 3, 2009
    10
    This game is amazing. It deserves better than a 91. Everything about this game is amazing. The people who rate this a bad game are people who do not like RPG'S and/or live under a rock. If you loved or at least liked Oblivion this is a must buy!
  9. MadisonL.
    Jul 2, 2009
    10
    this is about as good as a awesomely modded Oblivion can get. my rig is probably more of a decepticon than a gaming rig, but i was still able to maximize the graphical settings with minimal AA and still get playable frames on my celeron. this score comes with consideration of the available user-made mods out there, and there are some pretty neat one that really appealed to me, that on top this is about as good as a awesomely modded Oblivion can get. my rig is probably more of a decepticon than a gaming rig, but i was still able to maximize the graphical settings with minimal AA and still get playable frames on my celeron. this score comes with consideration of the available user-made mods out there, and there are some pretty neat one that really appealed to me, that on top of the fact that there are DLCs released regularly, this one is definitely worth your dollar. However, like oblivion, tougher enemies toward the late game wouldn't hurt.… Expand
  10. YeagleyO.
    Jul 2, 2009
    8
    I've played through Fallout 3 three times now (I'm currently on my third game) and I still enjoy it. There are so many possible outcomes, the fun never ends. I do agree, however, that the game isn't what we were promised. We were promised a game with "hundreds of endings", and ended up with only ten or so (which really aren't that differant from eachother). And while I've played through Fallout 3 three times now (I'm currently on my third game) and I still enjoy it. There are so many possible outcomes, the fun never ends. I do agree, however, that the game isn't what we were promised. We were promised a game with "hundreds of endings", and ended up with only ten or so (which really aren't that differant from eachother). And while there are some consiquences for your actions, they're not as major as Bethesda would like you to think. In Megaton, I murdered the doctor, and no one ever noticed. I would have been happy if occasionally one of them mentioned his death. And if you think having a follower changes anything, it doesn't. They become your backup and your pack mule. No one else notices them. If you can ignore major flaws like that, it is a very fun game with some replay value (you always tend to miss something when you play the game the first time). I recommend it, but don't expect it to be revolutionary. Maybe Fallout 4 will be free of these issues?… Expand
  11. NIP
    Jun 24, 2009
    0
    I bought this expecting a change of place from Oblivion (which I couldn't stand, everything about it was wooden and their so-called "immersive world" could have been more immersive using cardboard cutouts with voice boxes taped to them), and was I ever disappointed. Same clunky animations, same clunky physics, same incredibly dull gameplay, terrible boring combat (yes Bethesda, I bought this expecting a change of place from Oblivion (which I couldn't stand, everything about it was wooden and their so-called "immersive world" could have been more immersive using cardboard cutouts with voice boxes taped to them), and was I ever disappointed. Same clunky animations, same clunky physics, same incredibly dull gameplay, terrible boring combat (yes Bethesda, everyone wants to watch their character shoot enemies instead of actually getting to do it themselves). They could have easily looked back at what made Oblivion a bad game and reworked F3 to avoid everything that made it bad, but instead they trudged blindly onwards and, unfortunately, released Oblivion With Guns: Now It's In The Future!… Expand
  12. kulu1900
    Jun 23, 2009
    9
    Fallout 3 is a epic sequal to fallout 2 and 3 but i gave it a 9 instead of a 10 because the wateland in the first 2 games looks like a desart and that the creators insearted their own componay into the game (its south of scrappyard) the game could be very easy or very hard, depending on the diffulcty and your progress into the game (mutch like oblivion).
  13. Sean
    Jun 21, 2009
    9
    People who complain about the graphics being too high to handle, please speak for yourself... my pc can handle this just fine on ultra high with aa maxed and af maxed. The intensity of the graphics all depends on how much you were willing to spend on your computer... This game is great, definitely worth the money.
  14. AnonymousMC
    Jun 20, 2009
    4
    Okay i played this game the first time and i loved it. But therre were a few problems. Like how hard it is to navigate the whole place on foot. Plus it's very hard to find ammo. People are also to hard to kill. At least bethesda making a new game that actually looks good!
  15. Anonymous
    Jun 16, 2009
    7
    Buggy as hell, stats are meaningless in-game, and the dialogue is average to bad, but if you enjoy dungeon crawling like I do, then it's a fun game. Definitely needed the patches and dlc to be a good experience, which should not be something that is necessary in a commercially released game. Overall, above average, but nothing spectacular.
  16. OlavB
    Jun 16, 2009
    10
    This is one of my favorite games that I have and It is the greatest game that Bethesta has made since Terminator SKYNET.
  17. KirkC
    Jun 8, 2009
    10
    The game is vast, lanscapes changed all the time. Characters have a good standing with the rest of the game. The vault was once your home and now the rest of the wasteland is and will become. Although the game has various bugs which I experienced, including getting stuck in rocks, moving weird. Plus some others. Although being able to kill the same characters over and over again was The game is vast, lanscapes changed all the time. Characters have a good standing with the rest of the game. The vault was once your home and now the rest of the wasteland is and will become. Although the game has various bugs which I experienced, including getting stuck in rocks, moving weird. Plus some others. Although being able to kill the same characters over and over again was interesting. Further on in the game missions do become a bit tedious, but the game has unlimited potential. Overall; gameplay decent. Graphics awesome, sound great. Using a catapult nuke is the most amazing thing I have yet to see.… Expand
  18. ZekeO
    May 30, 2009
    8
    I gave this an 8 because its a good game over all but the graphics on high are to hard for any computer to handle and the waste land is to populated and things are to far away the map in this game is way to big but its very fun i would rent this first before you buy because you ether love it or hate over all its a good RPG.
  19. JimH
    May 25, 2009
    6
    First walking out of the vault was an awesome experience, no doubt. The problem is the experiences from that point on. I couldn't stand how you asked every npc in sections the exact same questions and they all gave almost the exact same answers. The combat was fun at first but got repetitive towards the end. It was too easy to make a jack of all trades character. Exploring the First walking out of the vault was an awesome experience, no doubt. The problem is the experiences from that point on. I couldn't stand how you asked every npc in sections the exact same questions and they all gave almost the exact same answers. The combat was fun at first but got repetitive towards the end. It was too easy to make a jack of all trades character. Exploring the wasteland was a lot of fun and I really enjoyed some of the encounters, like a building guarded by a single sniper in the window. These moments were far and few between unfortunately. The ending was rushed and bad. For all the minuses I've noted the game was still fun in places and that is why it gets a 6. I was expecting much better.… Expand
  20. MathewN
    May 22, 2009
    10
    This game was one of the best games i have ever played, i will say that the main story was to short and that the side quests were a little boring but the fact that so many random things happened it kept the game new, Like the UFO for example. I love open games where it lats the player act as they would in a situation like this. The new expansions coming out are going to be a lot of fun. This game was one of the best games i have ever played, i will say that the main story was to short and that the side quests were a little boring but the fact that so many random things happened it kept the game new, Like the UFO for example. I love open games where it lats the player act as they would in a situation like this. The new expansions coming out are going to be a lot of fun. The Pitt, and Broken Steel showed a lot of newer elements and ideas i'm just sad that The Pitt ended so shortly, and how Broken steel was just to hard, But in the long run i am proud to have played this game and i am looking forward to more expansions and more material. Keep the Good stuff coming Bethesda!… Expand
  21. AlexK
    May 18, 2009
    10
    The best Fallout game yet. Anyone crying about how it isn't like fallout and fallout 2 needs to shut up. Fallout and fallout 2 had slightly better stories, but that was about it. This is one of these games you will never put down, even years from now people will be playing this game as if it was new. The DLC added to this game makes it that much better...
  22. SM
    May 16, 2009
    4
    You either love it or hate it. Frankly, it's a disappointment to the fans of the original Fallout. It doesn't have what was special about the Fallout series. The other Fallout games had a small world, unbalanced, buggy gameplay, but what you did mattered. It was a roleplaying game in spirit. Fallout 3 is a wonderful game, with a large world, plenty of things to explore, a fun You either love it or hate it. Frankly, it's a disappointment to the fans of the original Fallout. It doesn't have what was special about the Fallout series. The other Fallout games had a small world, unbalanced, buggy gameplay, but what you did mattered. It was a roleplaying game in spirit. Fallout 3 is a wonderful game, with a large world, plenty of things to explore, a fun combat system. It has more of an exploration feel, where you wander in dungeons, killing things, finding interesting hidden stuff, but doesn't have much detail in interactions and has the worst ending of every Fallout game. It's unworthy as a sequel. It has the art style, but not the spirit. It would be good if they just called it Fallout: D.C, and I dock 1 point from the rating for the disappointment. You'll either love it, be disappointed, or hate it. Explorers and casual gamers will love it. Roleplayers will hate it.… Expand
  23. DavidB
    May 14, 2009
    4
    This game was talked about and talked about and talked about. And everyone was saying it was going to be the greatest game ever, that it was going to blow our faces off. For the first month that I played it, it did, but then I realized that they had pulled the wool over my eyes. There's literally nothing in this game! There's like ten quest and like three towns and only like 8 This game was talked about and talked about and talked about. And everyone was saying it was going to be the greatest game ever, that it was going to blow our faces off. For the first month that I played it, it did, but then I realized that they had pulled the wool over my eyes. There's literally nothing in this game! There's like ten quest and like three towns and only like 8 different kinds of enemies. There are whole places of the game where they completely forgot to put anything in. It's just empty space. One of the worst parts is theres a lot of references to things that could be quests but theres no quest attached to them. That means that the game developers weren't even close to finished with making the game. The worst part of all is that the main quest last like 5 mins and incredibly boring. However unlike most people who hated the game I thought the first person shooting was absolutely amazing. If they quadruple the content of the game it would be amazing but there is almost nothing in it and there will always be nothing in it.… Expand
  24. RonI
    May 4, 2009
    9
    I am very surprised by the other users' ratings of this game. IMO, this is the best game I've played in a really long time. If you are used to a scripted/linear game, you may not like it because the entire premise of the Fallout series is that it is non-linear. You can do a huge variety of things from being good, evil, neutral, mechanic, gun specialist, energy weapons, melee, I am very surprised by the other users' ratings of this game. IMO, this is the best game I've played in a really long time. If you are used to a scripted/linear game, you may not like it because the entire premise of the Fallout series is that it is non-linear. You can do a huge variety of things from being good, evil, neutral, mechanic, gun specialist, energy weapons, melee, etc. If you think the game is too easy, I'd be curious to know what difficulty level you are playing. I do admit that the Super Mutants should be a bit tougher than they are, but they're not easy especially if you run into a whole patrol. To each their own I guess. As a huge fan of Fallout and Fallout 2, I really give this a major thumbs up.… Expand
  25. KentL
    Apr 27, 2009
    3
    This games tries to paint a barren wasteland in DC but it fails. It essentially gives the player too much freedom and it's unfair to Bethesdas customers to release such an unfinished game. If I'd have to option to pay what I think this game is worth I'd only pay 4 Euro at most. As a player you often stray away from the main quest and go to many places if only to explore but This games tries to paint a barren wasteland in DC but it fails. It essentially gives the player too much freedom and it's unfair to Bethesdas customers to release such an unfinished game. If I'd have to option to pay what I think this game is worth I'd only pay 4 Euro at most. As a player you often stray away from the main quest and go to many places if only to explore but the extremely populated wastes really ruins the player's experience and it doesn't feel much at all like a barren wasteland and you always feel safe in towns. You actually never feel insecure because the enemies you face have often the same level as you and when you get access to the more advanced weapons and armor you start to think that it's too easy and when it's not it's extremely unfair. Like dashing up certain enemies with loads of HP and damage capability. This is a game much like Oblivion is a pure flop and the mods available isn't much help because Bethesda screved this game up so much now that not even it's community could save it.… Expand
  26. AnonymousMC
    Apr 21, 2009
    10
    Firsly people who give it a bad rateing go do a dog
    people who say the graphics are bad: What game have you been looking at? / you need a better graphics card
    People who say they cant play it at all : check the system requirements people who say the "main" story is to short : True but there are many side quests and secret quests that all added together will give you atleast 70 hours of    Firsly people who give it a bad rateing go do a dog
    people who say the graphics are bad: What game have you been looking at? / you need a better graphics card
    People who say they cant play it at all : check the system requirements
    people who say the "main" story is to short : True but there are many side quests and secret quests that all added together will give you atleast 70 hours of play

    Sure they are lots of bugs and it does crash sometimes (not very much) the good thing is that it autosaves and loads up fast

    SO STOP MOANING!!

    People reading thease reviews DO NOT take any Notice what so ever to rateings under 6    … Expand
  27. J.L
    Apr 21, 2009
    10
    I cant believe the ratings some people have given this game. I think its one of the best games I've played (I have Lots of games) Sure the Main story line is a little short but there is lots of sidequests to, if you was to do them ALL it would raise the playing hours to at least 70 hours. Also they is so many ways of doing the quests and so many different outcomes. The Graphics are I cant believe the ratings some people have given this game. I think its one of the best games I've played (I have Lots of games) Sure the Main story line is a little short but there is lots of sidequests to, if you was to do them ALL it would raise the playing hours to at least 70 hours. Also they is so many ways of doing the quests and so many different outcomes. The Graphics are very good, runs smoothly and to say how big the game is it loads really fast (around 3 or 4 seconds to load a new game) Over all Superb game, Well worth the money And anyone who says different is just well you know.… Expand
  28. GordonF
    Apr 19, 2009
    4
    I was eagerly waiting for this game, in fact it was one of the main reasons that I bought a new PC. I love fallout 1 and 2 because of the at(o)mosphere of the game. F3 has got great graphics, but it contains only a small part of the prevoius games' goosebump effect. Combats are quite boring, and in my opinion there is way too much grinding in it. If you know F1 and F2, you know that I was eagerly waiting for this game, in fact it was one of the main reasons that I bought a new PC. I love fallout 1 and 2 because of the at(o)mosphere of the game. F3 has got great graphics, but it contains only a small part of the prevoius games' goosebump effect. Combats are quite boring, and in my opinion there is way too much grinding in it. If you know F1 and F2, you know that you could complete it with talking. I miss this now. So F3 is the perfect example that graphics are not the main importance. I give this game a 4 because it has ruined the original and incomparable fallout-feeling. Sad.… Expand
  29. GerardH
    Apr 19, 2009
    3
    The beginning of Fallout 3 is very promising, but from that point onward, it's downhill straight to gamers hell. The FPS mode isn't fulfilling comparing to shooters, the "oh so beautiful" landscape is just copy+paste, the main plot is too short and interactions with NPCs are dull. Not to mention uninteresting quests. And the bugs. Man, check out the list of bugs. That's the The beginning of Fallout 3 is very promising, but from that point onward, it's downhill straight to gamers hell. The FPS mode isn't fulfilling comparing to shooters, the "oh so beautiful" landscape is just copy+paste, the main plot is too short and interactions with NPCs are dull. Not to mention uninteresting quests. And the bugs. Man, check out the list of bugs. That's the best "review" of this game.… Expand
  30. JesseC
    Apr 18, 2009
    10
    The Game it's self is Fantastic, there is only a few things that need to be fix or need to be more realistic. But besides that. It's the best game I've ever played besides Fallout: Tactics.
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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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