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. 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.
  2. justinscustoms
    Aug 27, 2010
    7
    On the level the game itself is far more satisfying than Bethesda's previous entries into sandbox titles. The PC version offer the same expansive environments but the more claustrophobic feel of a wasteland city gives a less mundane feel to the environment and a clear and concise story line gives the game a clear sense of direction. On PC platform with relatively powerful hardware theOn the level the game itself is far more satisfying than Bethesda's previous entries into sandbox titles. The PC version offer the same expansive environments but the more claustrophobic feel of a wasteland city gives a less mundane feel to the environment and a clear and concise story line gives the game a clear sense of direction. On PC platform with relatively powerful hardware the game produces clear crisp textures and matched with the relatively huge dialogue giving it a relatively immersed feel.

    After setting all of the positive aside, I have a very difficult time ignoring all of the bugs and technical shortcomings the game experiences in what seems like a very random manner. Certain graphics settings cause direct crashes almost predictably during play, and it would seem under almost perfectly stable conditions you can experience random hardware driver crashes, even more frustrating is how the game handles the DLC expansion material, once installed properly every endeavor into a previously saved game pauses the game to remind the user that a new radio station has been discovered, this not only breaks the experience altogether it does so on a fairly random basis assuring that no matter how into the game you become you can be assured that it will be ruined for you without any warning.    … Expand
  3. TestECull
    Sep 26, 2010
    7
    Fallout 3 is the best game I've played. Ever. I have a feeling only it's successor, New Vegas, will dethrone it. It's horribly buggy, though, and I hate buggy software. So I knocked three points off for that. Still, you should buy this.
  4. Morring
    Apr 7, 2013
    7
    This would have been a 10/10 BUT: Game for windows live is as painful as always, and lack of support for win 7. It behaves weirdly with some graphic cards, I keep having to reinstall the same drivers each time I want to play this game. Also some times you can feel the influence of the console version. Apart from these aspects the game is plain awesome: from the general atmosphere to eachThis would have been a 10/10 BUT: Game for windows live is as painful as always, and lack of support for win 7. It behaves weirdly with some graphic cards, I keep having to reinstall the same drivers each time I want to play this game. Also some times you can feel the influence of the console version. Apart from these aspects the game is plain awesome: from the general atmosphere to each single weapon, everything is how it should be. Don't expect an important main story tough: as with many bethesta titles this game is more about freeroaming. While the main campaing is still better than, say, oblivion, it is quite short.… Expand
  5. LD9000
    May 2, 2011
    7
    I waited for Fallout 3 for years, and this game was disappointing. It is an ok game, just so much is missing from it. The original level cap of 20 killed all fun in exploration after hitting it. I hear it has been raised, but by then the game has been already finished. Bethesda redeemed itself with Fallout: NV, but not this title
  6. snowshreder
    Jul 5, 2011
    7
    I have to say i really enjoyed this game though the score doesn't deserve a 10 i think they should have put more thought into some o the mechanics, weapons, story, the whole shebang. The game was real buggy and not polished therefore it was released to early and/or had bad support for resolving the bug issues.
  7. Miley03
    Aug 6, 2011
    7
    Fallout 3 is an interesting game, with an extremely unique setting. The setting is the games biggest advantage (or disadvantage). If you like a post-apocalyptic setting with extremely high realism and details. But for people like me, who get easily swept up in games will find this game very pessimistic and not that fun. The other problem this game has is the landscapes. They are just TOOFallout 3 is an interesting game, with an extremely unique setting. The setting is the games biggest advantage (or disadvantage). If you like a post-apocalyptic setting with extremely high realism and details. But for people like me, who get easily swept up in games will find this game very pessimistic and not that fun. The other problem this game has is the landscapes. They are just TOO large. Who wants to walk for 10 MINUTES to find something! And this wouldn't even matter if the locations were interesting, but it's mostly a desert. But there are loads of people who love this, and for those people this game is a gem.… Expand
  8. laxleonidas
    Sep 16, 2011
    7
    I'm dissapointed by this game. It has to be continued of legendary games like F1 and F2? What's good abut this game, is the open world. As a sandbox - F3 make a good work. Here's many secrets, quests and NPC's.
  9. lexe
    Dec 17, 2011
    7
    Pro:
    + Free to explore a huge apocalyptic world
    + the missions drag you deep into the world, as you keep decending into the underground. + good storyline + alot of gore + good powerfull gunsounds. + awesome cinematic effects. + sweet graphics in general. + weapons and power-ups left, right and centre + fiddling with locks to gain extra loot con: - you need to use the interface, everytime    Pro:
    + Free to explore a huge apocalyptic world
    + the missions drag you deep into the world, as you keep decending into the underground.
    + good storyline
    + alot of gore
    + good powerfull gunsounds.
    + awesome cinematic effects.
    + sweet graphics in general.
    + weapons and power-ups left, right and centre
    + fiddling with locks to gain extra loot

    con:
    - you need to use the interface, everytime you want a different weapon, including switchign for grenades
    - aim is horrible, if the enemy is 2 feet away u'll be likely to miss the shot still.
    - AI is retarded, most things just run towards you, a bit like the mobs in serioussam.
    - some ppl cant handle all the freedom and get lost and cant find the next mission.

    Conclusion: If the AI and weaponswitching were better i would have to give it a 10, but they aren't. And you will find yourself running backwards 90% of the time.    … Expand
  10. Yashime
    Jun 2, 2012
    7
    I love the story, the landscape, and the end of days atmosphere. It´s also the reason why i play it always in ego-shooter perspective, because if not the game loose all the magic. The animation of the character is so ridicoulous. And there are a plenty of game who manage to give realistic movement, but not Bethesda Programmers. I think a good investment were a Motion CaptureI love the story, the landscape, and the end of days atmosphere. It´s also the reason why i play it always in ego-shooter perspective, because if not the game loose all the magic. The animation of the character is so ridicoulous. And there are a plenty of game who manage to give realistic movement, but not Bethesda Programmers. I think a good investment were a Motion Capture System! Please do it. Like Dark Souls, were the animations and gravity of the character are almost perfect!!! And then Fallout 3 will be the best game ever :-)… Expand
  11. TheHumbleCritic
    Sep 17, 2012
    7
    Compared to Fallout:New Vegas, this game just didn't really appeal to me, it's boring atmosphere and bland characters made the experience somewhat less than entertaining..
  12. 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
  13. trollololololol
    Sep 7, 2013
    7
    Take the Elder Scrolls, reskin it to look like Fallout, give it really terrible shooting gameplay, give it a pretty weak story, mediocre voice acting, mediocre writing, enemies that are way too easy to kill, a ridiculous amount of bugs and a lame system to try to hide the fact that the gameplay is crap, and you get Fallout 3. It may not be bad, but it certainly isn't good. This game isTake the Elder Scrolls, reskin it to look like Fallout, give it really terrible shooting gameplay, give it a pretty weak story, mediocre voice acting, mediocre writing, enemies that are way too easy to kill, a ridiculous amount of bugs and a lame system to try to hide the fact that the gameplay is crap, and you get Fallout 3. It may not be bad, but it certainly isn't good. This game is just average.… Expand
  14. 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.
  15. Annoymous1
    Oct 5, 2015
    7
    As much as I like this game, it felt pretty sub-par compared to New Vegas. The environment and story felt so much more like a post-apocalyptic game, however, it just felt pretty...dull. I enjoyed FNV more than this, for the sake of the environment and the liveliness.
  16. askewreviews
    Sep 10, 2013
    7
    Muddy textures made uglier by the game's green colour filter. The story is pretty basic and full of really gaping plotholes culminating in one of the most illogical endings in video game history. The gunplay is basic and due to the lack of iron sights and accuracy penalties when firing from the hip, VATS is incredibly overpowered. In Fallout 1 and 2, you could target specific points on anMuddy textures made uglier by the game's green colour filter. The story is pretty basic and full of really gaping plotholes culminating in one of the most illogical endings in video game history. The gunplay is basic and due to the lack of iron sights and accuracy penalties when firing from the hip, VATS is incredibly overpowered. In Fallout 1 and 2, you could target specific points on an enemy but it wasn't a gamebreaking mechanic because those titles were turn-based. Here you can just spam the VATS button, aim for the head because nothing else is worth shooting at and repeat.… Expand
  17. Kunrya
    Jun 27, 2013
    7
    If it wouldn't be for all the glitches, Fallout 3 would be one of the best games ever. It's exactly what an open-world should be; looks great, handles great and keeps you coming back for more exploration. Unfortunately, exploring becomes difficult when load screens take up 10 minute blocks of time and your character and frame rate lag.
  18. iddqd4
    Jan 20, 2018
    7
    Достаточно посредственная в плане сюжета, и средняя в плане геймплея, один раз прошел и возвращаться больше нет желания.
  19. Gamespro
    Aug 7, 2013
    7
    This game is a very fun first person rpg and I reccomend this game to anyone who can play through with bugs.The bugs really deduct the experience as some may even be game breaking, that's why i'm deducting 3 points from this but overall good game
  20. debigman
    May 15, 2014
    7
    This is one of the greatest games ever made, but it has a lot of bugs that never got fixed. Also, it has GFWL which makes it always-online. If you are looking to play this game, try to get a DRM-free (but legal please) version.
  21. 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
  22. 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.
  23. 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.
  24. 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
  25. dem87
    Nov 11, 2015
    7
    Fallout 4 has potential. but overall it is mediocre Bethesda game. You have to forgot about dull game play, stupid characters, bugs and wait for mods. If you are looking for a story you might pick another game. If you are looking for something that can keep you occupied for long so that you entertain yourself this is the game. Just don't expect much of this game. I regret buying it nowFallout 4 has potential. but overall it is mediocre Bethesda game. You have to forgot about dull game play, stupid characters, bugs and wait for mods. If you are looking for a story you might pick another game. If you are looking for something that can keep you occupied for long so that you entertain yourself this is the game. Just don't expect much of this game. I regret buying it now and not on sale.… Expand
  26. 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
  27. 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
  28. Voyou
    Aug 19, 2016
    7
    A good RPG ? No.
    A good game ? Absolutely.
    The 3rd installment in the parodical post-apocalyptic franchise is fun and addictive. The stage is still one of the best maps to explore today (2016.) Dialogues and quests are often mediocre, but the environmental narrative is a thing of beauty, with terrific details. The gameplay has much improved since its predecessors. In particular the    A good RPG ? No.
    A good game ? Absolutely.

    The 3rd installment in the parodical post-apocalyptic franchise is fun and addictive. The stage is still one of the best maps to explore today (2016.) Dialogues and quests are often mediocre, but the environmental narrative is a thing of beauty, with terrific details.

    The gameplay has much improved since its predecessors. In particular the interface, which makes playing not a chore anymore.

    There still are obvious flaws though, including some old classics which I thought had been banned years ago. For instance:

    - The insufferable level cap. Here a record offender: I reached it at about 20% of map exploration. Sure, you need one, since you made the mistake of capping your stats and skills, but what about balancing the progression then ? Oh, right, you can't because...

    - Respawn. I've been hating those for decades. It's one of them games where you have to kill constantly to get a piece of quiet, then redo it every time you pass by the same place. Because repetition is fun ? Nope, because more "content" for cheap. A secondary issue here is that spawns' levels are related to mine. And since I reach the XP cap very early, my fellow humans start dying very early as well. Bye caravans.

    - There is a karma system so, of course, strange things will happen, like moral biases and a karma display on your forehead for everyone to see. My favorite ? Pickpocketing is evil: better kill the mark and loot his body. My least favorite: Tranquility Lane; it's so bad, I heard Buddha is coming back to sue.

    - Two skills use both a threshold and a mini-game. The designer couldn't make up his mind. The lock-pick game is a particularly annoying time waster, probably spitted out by the same sadistic bureaucrat who designed the worst lock-picking of all time in Oblivion.

    - I sometimes resent that I am the only person in the world who needs spare parts to repair my equipment.

    - Not for everybody, but important for low perception players: the RPG is bad at visual clues. Many things happen, and often end, before I even realise. Noticing anything but a Quantum soda is hard, even a corpse I just sniped. I had to replay every scene in the rotunda, as each time the story decided to develop out of my reach. Talking about visuals, the map itself is a disaster, useless inside buildings, clumsy outside with no colours, no filters, and with 1 miserable personal marker.

    Anyway, there are many things that could be improved, but it's still fun the way it is. There is one true disappointment though: in many if not most locations, you have two options and two options only, either do nothing, or kill everyone/destroy the place, directly or indirectly. That's true for the vaults, 2 major towns, villages, every raider camp (raiders aren't even considered humans,) and much, much more !    … Expand
  29. vega17
    Jun 4, 2016
    7
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  30. 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
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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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