Fallout is apost-apocalyptic RPG series. The series has evolved over the years, and it has delivered some of the best sandbox experiences in the industry.
Interplay Entertainment created the first two games. These wereturn-based RPGswhere most of the action happened through menus, choices, and dialogues.The follow-up games are action-shooter RPGs by Bethesda.
Overall, there’refour main Fallout games, plus five spin-offs. On top of that, there’re several campaign expansions. The total is25 Fallout entries.
As for Interplay Entertainment, they moved on and createdinXile. inXile created theWasteland trilogy. These areturn-basedisometric RPGs, considered as the spiritual successors of the original Fallout.
All Fallout Games in Order
The series presents itself with numbered entries, the main titles, plus various spin-offs. Either way, each game functions as a stand-alone adventure, taking the story far away in time and space from previous entries. Still, there’re elements across the entire franchise:
Setting:After the Great War in 2077, the United States became a post-apocalyptic barren wasteland. Players explore the barrens on the 21st, 22nd, and 23rd Centuries, after the nuclear war.
Art-style:The world before the war was a retro-punk ’50s inspired USA. The art-style inspired elements like the Pip-Boy, the music you may hear on radios, the robots, and similar.
Vaults:Before the war, the company Vault-Tec created Vaults all over the United States. These are shelters originally designed to self-guard people from nuclear war. However, some of these were for human experimenting. Vault-Tec also created thePip-Boy, the in-game computer/interface.
Nuclear wastes:Radioactivity, nuclear wastes, and mutated animals are present in the wasteland. This introduces monsters like theMirelurks. Through nuclear material, scientists also create theSuper Mutants.
Factions:Every game has various rivaling factions fighting for survival, resources, and their idea on how the post-war USA should be. One of these factions isThe Brotherhood of Steel, zealots looking to seize all pre-war technology for themselves. Another faction isThe Enclave, remnants of the United States government.
Character progression:The Fallout series offers different character progression systems in each game. In essence, leveling up can raise your defenses, offenses, utility, and general survivability.
SPECIAL:The character progressions work through the SPECIAL system -the stats. The acronym stands forStrength, Perception, Endurance, Charisma, Intelligence, Agility, and Luck.
Character Creation:Similarly, Fallout games come with a character creation screen. It allows players to customize appearances, starting SPECIAL stats, and sometimes other perks. Each stat governs over distinct gameplay mechanics like melee damage, stealth, or HP.
Skills, Traits, and Perks:Every Fallout game has skills, which the player unlocks as he level-ups. There’re also perks, innate bonuses you select via the character creation screen, or leveling. Lastly, some games have traits, a positive bonus that comes with negative feedback.
