Metascore
85

Generally favorable reviews - based on 60 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 58 out of 60
  2. Negative: 0 out of 60
  1. Aug 31, 2020
    100
    Overall I felt Wasteland 3 to be an amazing successor to a great franchise and had me addicted within the first 10 minutes of play. It offers a great and compelling story with twists and choices that matter. The characters are robust and with the gorgeous artwork that is Colorado helps to bring everything to life. The combat is great and works well and I didn’t find it tedious. The skill system offers depth of choice for making characters and brings some interesting things to the game. My only complaint really comes in the form of a few bugs, but otherwise Wasteland 3 is everything I could want in a post apoc turn based combat game with a Frozen Ferret Launcher.
  2. Aug 26, 2020
    100
    Wasteland 3 attempts to make a world that the player exists in rather than just moves through, and it is a complete success.
  3. Aug 26, 2020
    100
    With a focus on freedom of choice that is second-to-none, Wasteland 3 has set the benchmark for CRPG narratives, all the while being supported by wonderfully engaging gameplay and roleplaying mechanics.
  4. Oct 26, 2020
    95
    Wasteland 3 is one of the best RPG's of 2020. Your choices matter, your build matters, everything you do matters. You don't just play this game, you live in it.
  5. Aug 26, 2020
    95
    Wasteland 3 is one of the best RPGs around. The world is fantastic, the characters are interesting, it is packed with content, and combat is engaging. It has a few issues, but the game is just too good for them to distract me.
  6. Aug 26, 2020
    95
    Wasteland 3 is a huge undertaking, marrying deep, choice-driven role play with fast-paced tactical combat and vast areas to explore.
  7. CD-Action
    Nov 16, 2020
    90
    Wasteland 3 should actually be called Fallout 3, as it has much more in common with two legendary Interplay/Black Isle Studios games than any later entry to the Fallout series. If that’s not a sufficient recommendation, let me put it plainly: Wasteland 3 is the best turn-based post-apocalyptic RPG in many, many years. Yes, at the time of writing this review there were many gameplay and technical issues that needed to be addressed as soon as possible, but the fun this game offered made it very easy to look past them. [11/2020, p.46]
  8. Oct 2, 2020
    90
    Wasteland 3 is an absolute blast. The well balanced, if unforgiving, difficulty feels pitch perfect for the story and world. It is funny, harrowing and at times even verging on dark, telling a compelling tail of surviving in this terrifying world. Not only is the narrative great but the strategic combat centric gameplay is absolutely stunning. It is impossible not to recommend this title; it is one of a kind.
  9. Sep 14, 2020
    90
    I personally love the game, the aesthetic it presents and the quirks of the characters and the little things you can find throughout that inject a bit of humour. If you are a fan of Fallout then I highly recommend Wasteland 3.
  10. Sep 8, 2020
    90
    Wasteland 3 is a fantastic game in a series that is constantly improving. Not only am I excited for whatever comes next for Wasteland, we should all be eagerly awaiting the next step for inXile Entertainment too.
  11. Sep 6, 2020
    90
    Wasteland 3 is an easy recommendation for RPG fans. It's a wild ride from start to finish - one that is well worth every hour and playthrough spent on it. Prior to launch, one developer stated that Wasteland 3 was "epic in size", but experiencing it first-hand proves that this is an understatement, that the game has much more to offer players than first glance, and that the game is worth playing, time and again.
  12. Sep 2, 2020
    90
    Wasteland 3 is a delight to experience with some of the most engaging RPG mechanics in the series to date. Its dense and detailed world is only outshone by the character and its cast of vibrant and wacky characters, who are all brought to life by the introduction of voiced dialogue. If you’re a fan of RPGs, isometric-adventure games or turn-based combat, Wasteland 3 is an absolute must.
  13. Sep 2, 2020
    90
    Wasteland 3 is a post apocalyptic RPG with one of the most impressive and surprising reactive narratives of the last years. It's a great adventure with good turn battle combats and a great atmosphere, so, if you want to explore a dark and cruel world, this is one of the best options in the genre.
  14. Aug 31, 2020
    90
    Wasteland 3 will consume your life as it did mine. The game makes progression come across so naturally through its narrative focused world-building made by player choice. During the countless quests across impressive setpieces, I would say Wasteland 3 is one of the best entries in the RPG genre. Throw in accessible leveling features, likable characters, and wrap them up with an engaging cover-based battle system, and you have everything you need to keep you playing for months. Sadly, the bugs encountered were mostly found in multiplayer, but the developer has acknowledged that these are being patched.
  15. Aug 31, 2020
    90
    It feels that inXile have hit their stride with this latest installment and have continued to flesh out the Wasteland world that is committed to individuality. Wasteland 3 is a world of open adventure, thrills and a deluge of blood. So what are you waiting for, Ranger? Get out there.
  16. Aug 29, 2020
    90
    inXile completes their best work and bring to the table a RPG overcharged with personality and good ideas.
  17. Aug 27, 2020
    90
    Wasteland 3 is an exciting game in many ways, and although it doesn't reinvent the mechanisms of the genre, it implements them in the best possible way. It provides the player with the opportunity to fully immerse himself in the universe he portrays through difficult (or even downright ruthless) battles, situations requiring the player to commit, mature and credible writing, multiple choices and consequences, and multiple resolutions that will allow the player to choose a different path in a later game. The game has a very good rhythm, which alternates battles, exploration and quest resolution, constantly rekindling the player's interest. An excellent RPG for any self-respecting fan.
  18. Aug 26, 2020
    90
    Wasteland 3 invokes feelings of classic RPGs such as Fallout and manages to nail the feel and tone perfectly in a modernized setting.
  19. 90
    If you’re already a fan of this type of game, then you’ve likely already been sold on Wasteland 3, and with good reason. But if you haven’t delved into an RPG of this size before it might be the perfect place to start. It’s a much more action-focused experience than some of its contemporaries, with a combat system that’s developed enough to carry the game even without the arresting narrative and its inviting pliability. Despite a couple of minor irritations, Wasteland 3 is the very definition of a game you can get lost in.
  20. Aug 26, 2020
    90
    Wasteland 3 is a lovely return to the post nuclear apocalypse with fun gameplay and interesting choices at its forefront, though at times it can be a bit clumsy in its implementation.
  21. Aug 26, 2020
    90
    Lurid characters, a deep RPG system, and captivating combat set in an unhinged apocalypse - inXile Entertainment’s latest shouldn’t be missed.
  22. Aug 26, 2020
    90
    Improving on its predecessor in almost every way, Wasteland 3 is one of the best and most reactive RPGs I've played in a long time.
  23. 90
    Wasteland 3 is one of the best RPGs I've played in years, and it's one you absolutely should not skip.
  24. Aug 26, 2020
    90
    All in all, these are minor problems on an otherwise fantastic CRPG. Watch out though, Wasteland 3 doesn’t pull any punches with its subject matter in sexuality, violence, and language. But if you are fine with that, I would highly recommend you give Wasteland 3 a shot, especially if you were (or still are) a Fallout fan.
  25. Aug 26, 2020
    90
    Wasteland 3 is one of those games that I could go on and on about, but the truth is, you really need to experience it yourself. The vast amount of content on display here is admirable, and inXile has once again proven why the community surrounding its titles is so passionate about what they do.
  26. Aug 26, 2020
    90
    Wasteland 3 features everything only the best role-playing games do: an engaging story powered by excellent writing, compelling characters, tons of customization options, and a deep tactical combat system that feels fresh even after dozens of hours. But, most of all, it features a living world that reacts to what the player does, and changes depending on how the player decides to deal with the troubles ahead, providing a role-playing experience of the highest degree, one that very few games can boast of.
  27. Sep 2, 2020
    89
    Wasteland 3 is an incredibly fun game and a damn good RPG, that pays a fitting tribute to the legacy of Interplay's Fallout games and, through them, to Brian Fargo's first Wasteland game, which originally set the standards for our post-apocalyptic journeys back in 1988.
  28. Aug 26, 2020
    87
    Wasteland 3 is a good role-playing game, technically passable but enriched by a dense network of intriguing subplots that will push the most dedicated to play it several times. Watch out for the ever-present release bugs, though – best to wait a couple patches if you want to avoid unnecessary hurdles.
  29. Sep 20, 2020
    85
    An excellent follow-up to Wasteland 2. You want to finish it as soon as possible just to start the campaign all over again and take different decisions.
  30. Sep 9, 2020
    85
    Wasteland 3 is an immersive RPG, which takes you fully into the frozen lands of Colorado during the nuclear winter and transforms you into the protagonist of the story. Nothing compares to making a hard decision and seeing the outcome, whatever it may be, accompanied by the incredible soundtrack by Mark Morgan.
  31. Sep 8, 2020
    85
    Wasteland 3 does everything you expect from the series but in a sleeker package. From the freedom in building character abilities to your approach to the missions or which ending to strive for, there's plenty that's within your control, and those variations help if you want to play through the game multiple times. The story is interesting thanks to all of the decisions you get to make, and while your created characters don't add much personality, your companions are chatty enough to make encounters worthwhile. If you can forgive the occasional bugs, you'll find Wasteland 3 to be a top-notch RPG.
  32. Sep 4, 2020
    85
    I think for the story lore alone, I’d play Wasteland 3. Add into it some mid-level tactical combat, a wide-open character progression tree, and a pretty sick sense of humor, and I think I’ve found a winner.
  33. Aug 31, 2020
    85
    Wasteland 3 is a very special RPG experience, where each decision really matters, with a fantastic soundtrack and great cooperative mode. The combat is a little flawed, but its a minor issue compared to all its strengths.
  34. Aug 28, 2020
    85
    Wasteland 3 is a terrific sequel that blows its predecessor out of the water in every aspect.
  35. Aug 27, 2020
    85
    Wasteland 3 is a solid CRPG, tasking you with decisions both minute and massive as you carve your legacy into Colorado. Will you serve the Patriarch for the greater good? Will you join forces with his psychotic son? His rebellious daughter? Or will you just roll around in the snow looking to pick fights with Scorpitrons? They’re all worth doing, so suit up and roll out for some wild times in the wastelands.
  36. Aug 26, 2020
    85
    There are a few misgivings related to Wasteland 3's technical aspects, mechanics, and overall challenge. However, its cast of characters (both old and new), the switch to a traditional turn-based combat system, and branching paths filled with decisions and dire consequences make for a superb journey with the Desert Rangers.
  37. Aug 26, 2020
    85
    The loading times and the occasional stuttering took off visibly on my nerves after 40 to 50 hours. That, together with the still not perfect enemy AI, may be criticism at a high level, but ultimately prevents Wasteland 3 from becoming a great role-playing game - you have to be satisfied with a very good one.
  38. Aug 26, 2020
    85
    A fantastic RPG that superbly mixes player choice and great combat to something bigger than the sum of its parts.
  39. Aug 26, 2020
    84
    A wilfully strange setting explored through a predictable but enjoyable old school RPG that's been streamlined just enough.
  40. Aug 26, 2020
    83
    Wasteland 3 doesn't change its predecessor's successful formula but, outside of certain design limitations, it perfects and modernizes it. It's easily the best game in the franchise, in terms of pure technique, and one that clearly gives you an idea of what inXile is able to achieve.
  41. Aug 29, 2020
    82
    A solid RPG experience in the frozen wastelands of Colorado, that will satisfy gamers looking for hours and hours of rich quests in a nice post-apocalyptic setting.
  42. LEVEL (Czech Republic)
    Oct 7, 2020
    80
    True bearer of Fallout legacy. Wasteland 3 is a very nice surprise thanks to its quality combat and even more thanks to nicely written dialogues and creators’ sense of humor. Postapocalyptic setting is merely a cherry on a top. [Issue#306]
  43. Oct 6, 2020
    80
    Wasteland 3 has a certain attitude that isn't really like most other games I've played. It's often irreverent and sarcastic and frequently bleak, but it still manages to be one of the funniest games I've played this year. At the same time, it has weird moments where I find myself baffled, completely unsure at what the intended response was ever expected to be. At its core is are some absolutely robust systems that RPG fans should love to tinker with, and while the storytelling is often a mixed bag, I found myself appreciative of how Wasteland 3 sets itself apart in a setting that it would be so easy to play it safe in.
  44. Sep 29, 2020
    80
    While I enjoyed my time with Wasteland 3 and recommend it to those looking for some quality post-apocalyptic adventure, my hope is that inXile will knuckle down and iron out the bugs sooner rather than later — there’s a lot of great adventuring to be found within already, but it’ll be even better once the game is working properly.
  45. Sep 15, 2020
    80
    Wasteland 3 succeeds on its narrative, choice system, strong characters, and compelling factions. It stumbles in its lifeless world, inconsistent presentation, familiar gameplay, and technical side – it often feels like a snow-themed reskin of Wasteland 2, with many of that title’s limitations and janky systems. Nonetheless, designer Brian Fargo has here made the best post-apocalyptic RPG since Fallout: New Vegas. It’s just not as good as the one he made 23 years ago with Fallout.
  46. Sep 9, 2020
    80
    Followers and fans of the Wasteland franchise will certainly see this third installment as the culmination of the series so far. It’s bigger, better and more varied than earlier entries but with all that ambition comes some inevitable technical issues and bugs. For those gamers without endless time and patience, there’s perhaps a feeling that they’ve seen what the game has to offer long before 50 or 60 hours. It’s a bit messy and could be leaner, but Wasteland 3 is often highly engaging with entertaining and varied combat and a world that rewards exploration.
  47. Sep 8, 2020
    80
    A really solid strategy-RPG, and an excellent sequel to Wasteland's 2. A bit rough around the edges, but still worth playing.
  48. Sep 2, 2020
    80
    Wasteland 3 is a great ride and fans of the genre should thoroughly enjoy it. It’s an added bonus that familiarity with Wasteland 2 is really not a pre-requisite for picking up Wasteland 3 – the game is accessible and holds up in its own right. Whilst the player-controlled characters lack any kind of development, fortunately this oversight does not apply to the rest of the inhabitants of Colorado Springs. There’s depth to the game’s story and its setting, and for the most part decisions have consequences. With around 60 hours of content, Wasteland 3 is well worth the investment.
  49. 80
    Wasteland 3 balances solid turn-based gameplay with strong, tongue-in-cheek storytelling. Longtime fans of the series may despise the new streamlined interface, but those who were intimidated by Wasteland 2's dated presentation may find this one easier to approach.
  50. Aug 27, 2020
    80
    Choices with major consequences, satisfying combat, and a boldly distinctive and humorous post-apocalyptic world make Wasteland 3 a memorable RPG.
  51. Aug 26, 2020
    80
    Wasteland 3 is a rewarding game that offers unprecedented choice and is a great jumping on point for new players.
  52. Aug 26, 2020
    80
    In a year where some excellent RPGs have debuted, Wasteland 3 goes toe-to-toe with the best. The 80-100 hours of content are full of surprises, and you won’t want for things to do in the game. This title is what Fallout should have become, if not in gameplay, then in narrative content.
  53. Aug 26, 2020
    80
    Wasteland 3 is a solid tactical RPG that will keep fans of the genre entertained for hours upon hours. But it doesn't do enough to bring the genre forward to a mainstream audience.
  54. Aug 26, 2020
    80
    Wasteland 3 doesn’t bring much new to the table, both as a CRPG and as a piece of post-apocalyptic fiction. But, it’s a terrifically executed role-playing game that rewards player investment from beginning to end.
  55. Aug 26, 2020
    80
    Wasteland 3 is more approachable, intuitive, and enjoyable than previous games in the series, and both new and returning fans will find a lot to love.
  56. Game World Navigator Magazine
    Oct 21, 2020
    79
    Clichés and predictability don’t make the playthrough of Wasteland 3 any less enjoyable. After all, good post-apocalyptic RPGs are always in short supply. [Issue#248, p.36]
  57. Aug 27, 2020
    75
    Wasteland 3, in the field of tactical in general and tactical RPG in particular, will inevitably suffer the comparison with some titles released since Wasteland 2, which proved that one could remain faithful to the spirit of the C-PRG without necessarily lacking a modern and deep approach. However, the old-school character of Wasteland 3 is sure to delight fans of the genre as the baby of InXile knows its lesson and recites it with some enthusiasm.
  58. Aug 26, 2020
    75
    Even with its shortcomings, in short, InXile Entertainment's latest work is a well-made role-playing game: it will not have the innovative ideas of Disco Elysium or the maniacal care typical of Larians, but at least it knows how to dose its ambitions with great pragmatism.
  59. Sep 4, 2020
    70
    Wasteland 3 is a competent RPG that struggles to distinguish itself from the many other entries of the genre. With such games, the mechanics are all relatively the same, and the writing, choices, and world-building are so much more important. And in these areas, Wasteland 3 is proficient, but not overly impressive.
  60. Aug 26, 2020
    70
    Wasteland 3 is a good RPG that executes the same old formula sprucing it up with entertaining and interesting combat, good progression, inventory choices and a story that, while only average, is well delivered.
This publication does not provide a score for their reviews.
This publication has not posted a final review score yet.
These unscored reviews do not factor into the Metascore calculation.
  1. Aug 26, 2020
    When inXile describes Wasteland 3 as a deep game with "80 to 100 hours" of gameplay before completion, they're not kidding. Although we fall on the "play through slowly and experience everything" side of RPG gaming, we'd guess we were no more than 25 percent through the game at 40+ hours in. Despite some faults, the strength of the tactical combat kept us engaged and interested, and the tough ethical choices along the way kept us guessing and motivated. The scenery is compelling, the soundscape and voice acting are incredibly lush, and the humorous touches scattered throughout landed more often than not. We think tactical RPG fans will be very pleased with Wasteland 3, warts and all—and if you're not a tactical RPG fan yet, this just might be the game that converts you.
  2. Aug 26, 2020
    At least in my time with it, Wasteland 3 has been a fascinating experience. I’ve come to appreciate its depth of gameplay, character, building, and exploration, even if some of its pieces and parts still feel very foreign to me. I’ve still got a long way to go in the game—thanks to how slow-going my progress has been as I get used to this type of adventure—but I’m eager to see what awaits me next in the frozen wastes of Colorado. [Review-in-Progress]
  3. Aug 26, 2020
    inXile's old-school RPG is the Fallout game we've been craving. [Eurogamer Recommended]
  4. Aug 31, 2020
    It doesn’t have that freight train momentum you sometimes feel from other RPGs, where the story gains so much steam you feel like you need to blitz through it, missing out the sidequests and other tidbits that gives games character. Wasteland 3 isn’t asking me to hurry up; it wants me to stay awhile, crack open a beer, and take it on at my pace. And that might be its greatest strength so far. And nothing can shrink that.
  5. I do understand the appeal of getting a chonky “choices matter” game like this to put it in Steam tag parlance. If you have that vacancy to fill, go ahead. Let’s face it, there aren’t many other options at the moment. I myself have made many bad calls in my time as a Ranger, and even I wouldn’t mind seeing the repercussions of my major decisions play out. But if I have to fight through listless combat, buggy UI, and an onslaught of juvenile gags to see one of the many endings, I’d rather leave the snowfields of Colorado behind. To hell with the consequences.
User Score
7.7

Generally favorable reviews- based on 526 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Negative: 67 out of 526
  1. Sep 4, 2020
    1
    - Incredibly long save loading for that kind of the game. 30 Hours of your game will be load screens, each small location load about 1-2 min- Incredibly long save loading for that kind of the game. 30 Hours of your game will be load screens, each small location load about 1-2 min on SSD nvme.
    - The explanation of game mechanics is awful.
    - The game doesn't even explain how to kill a robot at the start of the game.
    - Bugs, bugs, bugs...
    + Amazing quests
    + Big location to explore
    + A lot of secret places
    + Loot and items useful and interesting to investigate
    The result - you can't enjoy the game wrong step of stupid AI can destroy themselves. If you left some screens mission can be failed and there is no warning about it. Wanna replay? Welcome to another 10 hours because of LONG LONG load screens. These aspects just kill the game.
    Also, there are no patches, developers just forgot about the game. And the price, it's definitely doesn't worse the money they want for this buggy game
    Full Review »
  2. Aug 30, 2020
    4
    horrible buggy mess.wait for 1-2 months to be this game patched out and finnished.under these problems is a nice game but not like this,.
  3. Aug 30, 2020
    2
    -game engine logic flaws: step out of a room and the whole room is fog of war. move one meter forward into the room and the whole room becomes-game engine logic flaws: step out of a room and the whole room is fog of war. move one meter forward into the room and the whole room becomes visible.
    -dumb down combat: enemies do not fight each other. I lured radioactive frog monsters into a mercenery group and they ignored each other and both attacked me.
    -game breaking bug: shelf one of your mains and he loses progress without skill point refund
    Full Review »