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. Alias--
    Sep 11, 2023
    4
    It's just a sucky version of Fallout New Vegas, my advice is to just play that instead
  2. SamAxe00
    Sep 10, 2023
    9
    Great game and glad to see it ressurecting the series. Lots of detail and depth.
  3. MaxieZeus
    Sep 10, 2023
    7
    Fallout 3, developed by Bethesda Game Studios, is a seminal title in the open-world RPG genre, known for its expansive post-apocalyptic world, rich characters, and captivating stories. However, it's not without its shortcomings, with dated graphics even for its time and gameplay that can be described as less than stellar. Despite these issues, Fallout 3 remains a compelling and addictiveFallout 3, developed by Bethesda Game Studios, is a seminal title in the open-world RPG genre, known for its expansive post-apocalyptic world, rich characters, and captivating stories. However, it's not without its shortcomings, with dated graphics even for its time and gameplay that can be described as less than stellar. Despite these issues, Fallout 3 remains a compelling and addictive RPG experience, thanks in part to the innovative V.A.T.S system.

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

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

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

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

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

    In summary, Fallout 3 is a game of contradictions. Its world, characters, and stories are fantastic, drawing players into a post-apocalyptic dystopia filled with rich narratives and moral dilemmas. However, its dated graphics and occasionally frustrating gameplay mechanics hold it back. Thankfully, the introduction of the V.A.T.S system salvages the gameplay, making it enjoyable. Despite its flaws, Fallout 3 is a testament to the power of storytelling in games, offering an addictive RPG experience that's hard to forget.    … Expand
  4. TannerSF
    Sep 6, 2023
    10
    Сотни часов провёл в этой замечательной игре
  5. mumbo
    Sep 4, 2023
    3
    this game is a disaster. after the beginning the game falls apart like a bad marriage. the game makes you fight high level enemy's at the very beginning [the first mission] not to mention how bland the gameplay and story is. disappointment after playing new vegas.
  6. eefeef
    Aug 31, 2023
    8
    Let's face it, this game is old: the UI is clunky, the combat is frustrating, the graphics are buggy, and the story is linear. But the game completely immerses us in its oldness through atmosphere alone.
  7. UrchinChieftain
    Aug 29, 2023
    7
    The game had a lot of technical difficulties, it doesn't play like a good FPS, and has massive issues with RPG elements, but still provides a huge Map to explore and an overall good experience, it is my least favorite game out of the Fallout franchise.
  8. 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
  9. RTCWFAN
    Aug 29, 2023
    9
    Very addictive RPG with a great atmosphere and wonderful sound. A game that everybody should play at least once. Overall rating: 9.0.
  10. JIMEY
    Aug 24, 2023
    8
    Fallout 3, while a beloved and influential game, is often regarded as an 8 out of 10 due to a combination of its strengths and weaknesses. While it brought the open-world RPG formula to the post-apocalyptic setting in an engaging way, it also had some notable drawbacks that kept it from achieving a perfect score.

    In summary, Fallout 3 earns its 8 out of 10 rating due to its strengths in    Fallout 3, while a beloved and influential game, is often regarded as an 8 out of 10 due to a combination of its strengths and weaknesses. While it brought the open-world RPG formula to the post-apocalyptic setting in an engaging way, it also had some notable drawbacks that kept it from achieving a perfect score.

    In summary, Fallout 3 earns its 8 out of 10 rating due to its strengths in world-building, atmosphere, and storytelling, alongside its weaknesses such as technical issues and aging gameplay mechanics. While it may not be a perfect game, it remains a significant title that left a lasting impact on the open-world RPG genre and influenced subsequent entries in the series.    … Expand
  11. 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.
  12. PenetratorGod
    Aug 20, 2023
    7
    It's a failure compared to Fallout New Vegas. If you play New Vegas first and then play this, the experience is definitely worse.
  13. Richard_dias
    Aug 14, 2023
    9
    Bethesda Game Studios makes some of the most astonishing single player experiences someone can have gaming, and Fallout 3 is no exception. This game distances itself from the old ones and sometimes feels like a mockup of that classics, but either way still one of the best RPGs I ever played.
  14. PR9Gaming
    Aug 12, 2023
    9
    It still holds up even after new vegas, since it's better at just picking a direction and getting into shenanigans. DEMOCRACY IS NON-NEGOTIABLE!
  15. Magikcarp
    Jul 19, 2023
    8
    Gameplay - 8
    Plot & Characters - 7
    Storytelling - 7
    Pacing - 8
    Music & Sound - 8
    Replayability - 8
    Performance - 7
  16. ThunderArs
    Jul 17, 2023
    8
    The game was really dark and atmospheric when it came out. A solid feeling of a post-apocalyptic world, cruelty everywhere, characters have believable stories and quests. The disadvantages include a rather high difficulty, but it also adds more sense of survival
  17. JayLemad
    Jul 16, 2023
    9
    Un auténtico MUST. Bethesda hizo una auténtica obra maestra allá por 2008 y se ha convertido en un juego de culto. El mundo abierto, los personajes, las casi infinitas posibilidades que te ofrece este título, TODO, es una simbiosis perfecta que da lugar a uno de los mejores RPG de todos los tiempos.
  18. abdre
    Jul 9, 2023
    10
    An incredible game, just replayed it this week to see if it still holds up and I was immediately so immersed in the incredible atmosphere of the beautifully realized DC wasteland that it was hard for me to put down. Easily one of the best RPG's of all time and my personal favourite Bethesda Studios game. It's been 15 years since release and this game is still a masterpiece.
  19. DusKnight
    Jun 28, 2023
    10
    Cons
    -Nothing
    Pros
    -Everything
    Games has a special place in my heart!
    The characters, the dialogue, the dlcs, basically everything is peak in this game.
  20. zcat5
    Jun 26, 2023
    6
    When released, this game was truly impressive. It built upon the masterpiece Oblivion, and it brought some impressive new elements of gameplay. Immensely fun to explore, and great atmosphere. It has been overshadowed by more modern games, but it was easily a 9.5/10 when it was released.
  21. jamlk
    Jun 12, 2023
    6
    For re-inventing the franchise it is a huge step. Looking apart from that it's kind of a mess. And the magic it gave in '08 sadly can't be felt as much.
  22. HydrophobikFish
    Jun 9, 2023
    8
    Large open world with awesome locations to discover, solid RPG opportunities, and tons of content. Overall though lacks meaningful moral/ethical questions and quests can be hit or miss in quality. Still great lacking purpose. Banger DLC.
  23. DalliyingCoffee
    Jun 8, 2023
    9
    Simplesmente perfeito um game que merecia um remake. Gráficos bons pra época, jogabilidade boa e divertida e uma boa história.
  24. Muzketin
    May 24, 2023
    8
    Not too bad... For a 2008 game. The wasteland looks very good and brutal, same with the armors of the characters. Point Lookout DLC also was very good. Sadly there are very few choices when it comes to the story. The walking animation is also extremely bad tho, same as weapons animation who make no sense. Have the developers ever seen a guy shooting a bolt action and a lever action rifle?Not too bad... For a 2008 game. The wasteland looks very good and brutal, same with the armors of the characters. Point Lookout DLC also was very good. Sadly there are very few choices when it comes to the story. The walking animation is also extremely bad tho, same as weapons animation who make no sense. Have the developers ever seen a guy shooting a bolt action and a lever action rifle?

    But yeah, for a 2008 game, it did a lot of beautiful things. Today tho the game is just bad, play New Vegas if you want an actual GOOD Fallout. Fallout 3 is just a poor version of New Vegas... it lacks too much.    … Expand
  25. EletronnV
    May 15, 2023
    8
    Minha primeira experiência no universo de Fallout e foi positiva. Pois bem o game é muito bom, traz uma liberdade imensa, entretanto pelo fato de trazer uma liberdade imensa, o jogador fica um tanto perdido no começo e só começa a ter uma direção sobre o funcionamento do game só mais de 15/20hrs. portanto o ritmo do game é lento. Os bugs, e a falta de um mapa no metro atrapalham muito aMinha primeira experiência no universo de Fallout e foi positiva. Pois bem o game é muito bom, traz uma liberdade imensa, entretanto pelo fato de trazer uma liberdade imensa, o jogador fica um tanto perdido no começo e só começa a ter uma direção sobre o funcionamento do game só mais de 15/20hrs. portanto o ritmo do game é lento. Os bugs, e a falta de um mapa no metro atrapalham muito a jogatina, sem falar que depois de completar o game não é possível continuar a exploração (exige uma DLC para continuar)… Expand
  26. ogtawiusz
    May 12, 2023
    8
    I have played this game on Steam. The game play is really good. The graphics are not bad for moment the game was produced. Place of the action and the open world is interesting. Of course I have not completed this game as the game sadly bugged and i lost my saves. The bug was error of npc's movement that ruined entire main mission and blocked further progress. I couldn't fix this withI have played this game on Steam. The game play is really good. The graphics are not bad for moment the game was produced. Place of the action and the open world is interesting. Of course I have not completed this game as the game sadly bugged and i lost my saves. The bug was error of npc's movement that ruined entire main mission and blocked further progress. I couldn't fix this with trying using commands. I'm disappointed with that but I believe this game is not bugging every time. I recommend it really much.… Expand
  27. Magical_Viktor
    Apr 30, 2023
    8
    Существуют просто Зло и Большое Зло, а за ними обоими в тени прячется Очень Большое Зло. Очень Большое Зло, Геральт, это такое, которого ты и представить себе не можешь, даже если думаешь, будто уже ничто не в состоянии тебя удивить. И знаешь, Геральт, порой бывает так, что Очень Большое Зло схватит тебя за горло и скажет: «Выбирай, братец, либо я, либо то, которое чуточку поменьше»Существуют просто Зло и Большое Зло, а за ними обоими в тени прячется Очень Большое Зло. Очень Большое Зло, Геральт, это такое, которого ты и представить себе не можешь, даже если думаешь, будто уже ничто не в состоянии тебя удивить. И знаешь, Геральт, порой бывает так, что Очень Большое Зло схватит тебя за горло и скажет: «Выбирай, братец, либо я, либо то, которое чуточку поменьше»
  28. George_K
    Apr 22, 2023
    10
    Amazing game, wonderful story and the mechanics are insane. Even if a lot of people don't like it i love the similarities between this skyrim and NV, the only thing i would say is a little bit bad and only very little cause i still like the game is the lack of shooting, ik there are a lot of guns but a lot of melee weapons too which i can see where it is frustrating but still loved it
  29. GhostlyMenace
    Apr 21, 2023
    7
    To start for a game that’s set two hundred years after nuclear hellfire, the world you’re introduced to looked like the bombs dropped twenty years ago. I believe after that amount of time the waterways wouldn’t be irradiated anymore. Everyone in this game is dressed like they're straight out of a Mad Max flick, and the gunplay is extremely dull. Back to the world, I understand its supposedTo start for a game that’s set two hundred years after nuclear hellfire, the world you’re introduced to looked like the bombs dropped twenty years ago. I believe after that amount of time the waterways wouldn’t be irradiated anymore. Everyone in this game is dressed like they're straight out of a Mad Max flick, and the gunplay is extremely dull. Back to the world, I understand its supposed to be a dark vision of the future but the general coloration of The Capital Wasteland can be very depressing. The jazz music the combat is set to is a strange combination, and most of the characters you encounter in the game are one dimensional and boring.… Expand
  30. Harra
    Apr 16, 2023
    10
    My first Fallout game. Still my favorite one.

    Great open-world to explore, charming characters and great DLC!
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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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