Bethesda
What is the best ‘Fallout’ game to jump into after watching the Prime Video series?
Discover everything the Fallout game series has to offer, and find out which one would suit you best to jump into the franchise after the show.
The success of ‘Fallout’, the Prime Video series, has allowed a multitude of viewers to get to know the video game franchise it adapts. We are faced with a long-standing franchise that divides its history into two halves., that of its original developers (Interplay) and the modern era starting from Fallout 3 at the hands of Bethesda Softworks, developers of The Elder Scrolls. In this article, you will find the alternatives you currently have to enjoy the series with a controller in hand.
What is the best Fallout to start the series with?
We must start from the basis that the titles released by Bethesda are the best gateway to the saga. The classics, those from the Interplay branch, are 3 (including Tactics) and are only available on PC. They are isometric RPGs that offer a vision of the RPG genre at the end of the 20th century. They are good, without a doubt, but they’re not exactly user friendly when compared with the games we’re used to now.
Therefore, the options left on the table are Fallout 3, Fallout New Vegas, Fallout 4, and Fallout 76 (in release order). The series has many similarities with the third installment. The first time in the wilderness, experiencing life up close in a shelter, the tone that veers between black comedy and the purest drama... The problem? It has not aged well enough at a gameplay level.
Fallout New Vegas, on the other hand, improves somewhat on a playable level compared to Fallout 3, but the Mojave Desert is not as interesting as Washington D.C. What does improve by far is the script, the factions, and the action/consequence. Compared to Fallout 3, Fallout New Vegas offers a much more interesting and richly nuanced role-playing experience. Its developers, Obsidian Entertainment, are masters of the genre, so it won’t go unnoticed by veterans.
Fallout 4 is the most modern installment dedicated to the single-player experience. The gameplay is much more polished than previous titles, with controls akin to a modern shooter. The differences are noticeable both when pulling the trigger and when navigating the world. Against it is the plot, much less interesting and worse written than the previous ones, in addition to changing the dialogue system for one much less precise and streamlined.
Fallout 76 is the latest game in the franchise. The studio wanted to try an experience close to an MMO but in smaller dimensions than World of Warcraft and Co. To feel life in the wasteland with your friends, which it more than fulfills, but the gameplay is very different from what the series has offered since 2008. Although it had a controversial launch, the passage of years has allowed it to improve stability and expand its content at no additional cost. On the other hand, there is Fallout Shelter, a free-to-play mobile game dedicated to managing your own vault, but it is a complement to the games we have focused on in this piece.
So, which Fallout do I choose?
- If you like role-playing you should play Fallout New Vegas. It is the installment that best takes advantage of the RPG systems, offers the best script in the saga and you really feel that your actions have consequences. We recommend that you purchase the Ultimate edition, which includes all the additional stories.
- If you want something similar to the series you should play Fallout 3. Jonathan Nolan, executive producer and director of most episodes, acknowledges that his love for the franchise began with this game. He has been the main source of inspiration for the team, and that is something that shows. We recommend that you purchase the GOTY edition, which includes all DLC.
- If what you are looking for is gameplay and graphics you should play Fallout 4. It is the most modern entry for a player, and that shows with the controls. If you have a virtual reality device on PC, there is a standalone version of the game. It is an unprecedented experience. We recommend that you purchase the GOTY edition, which includes the additional stories and bonus content packs.
- If you prefer to play with your friends you should play Fallout 76. The way of surviving in the wasteland translates well to the multiplayer ecosystem. Besides, every game is better in company.
- If you are a hardcore gamer on PC and you love classic experiences, Fallout 1, 2, and Tactics are your thing.
Where can I play Fallout?
- Fallout 3 and Fallout New Vegas are found on PS3, Xbox 360, and PC. Thanks to the Xbox backward compatibility service you can play it with visual improvements on Xbox One and Xbox Series X|S. On PlayStation, however, it is only accessible on PS4 and PS5 via streaming as part of the PS Plus Premium catalog.
- Fallout 4 can be found on PS4, Xbox One and PC. An improvement for new generation consoles has recently been confirmed. With the same copy, you can play it with visual and gameplay upgrades on PS5 and Xbox Series X|S.
- Fallout 76 is available on PS4, Xbox One, and PC. You can also play this version on PS5 and Xbox Series X|S through the backward compatibility system.
- Fallout, Fallout 2, and Fallout Tactics are available on PC through Steam and GoG.