Ranking Fallout games from worst to best

The Fallout game series has got a new lease on life following the release of the TV adaptation on Amazon Prime Video. Not only is the show a critical success, but it did something only a few game-to-movie/TV show adaptations manage — stay loyal to the source material while introducing a whole new generation of people to the expansive world of the game.

So if you loved the world of Fallout and want to step back into the wasteland, here’s a look at some of the mainline entries in the Fallout series of games ranked! Before we start, here’s a little disclaimer. The list might annoy some purists of the series who feel that the classic isometric games are better than the 3D games in the series. And in many ways, I agree with them. But there is an inherent bias I have towards the 3D games as that was my entry into the Fallout Universe, and well… it’s my list. Sorry

Fallout Shelter

Platforms: Android, iOS, PC, Xbox One, PS4, Nintendo Switch

Release date: 2015

Fallout Shelter is a game that is designed for mobile and isn’t exactly what one might expect from a Fallout game (Hence its position in the list). So instead of exploring the wasteland, the player is put in charge of overseeing a Vault and its inhabitants. To be fair, it’s not exactly a bad game, especially when because it is completely free. However, it’s just not a Fallout game.

Fallout Tactics: Brotherhood of Steel

Platforms: PC

Release date: 2001

As the actual third game in the series, Fallout Tactics takes a slightly different approach to gameplay. The game follows a squad of the Brotherhood of Steel and features a very different take on the combat system employed by the previous two games. In fact, the game is very much focused on the combat aspect of the series as compared to the RPG elements, but since this is a game about the Brotherhood of Steel, it makes sense. Regardless, the game wasn’t that well-received and was criticised for being a little too complicated. Also, do not confuse this game with the absolute travesty that was Fallout: Brotherhood of Steel. Why isn’t that game on this list? Because I have disowned it and refuse to acknowledge its existence before or after this paragraph.

Fallout 76

Platforms: PS4, PC, Xbox One

Release date: 2018

Let’s be real, Fallout 76 was released as a cash grab. Bethesda wanted a piece of the sweet multiplayer gaming money. As such, it is filled with the tropes that one expects from modern gaming. Microtransactions, always-online components and minimal world-building. At launch, the game was panned (rightly so) for its predatory practices, lack of overall quality and bugs. To its credit, Bethesda has improved the game since its launch. As such, it’s no longer the worst fallout game in the series. (Yay?)

Fallout 1

Platforms: PC, Mac

Release date: 1997

The game that started it all. The first Fallout game introduced many things that have become synonymous with the Fallout series. This includes the setting, lore, dialogue options, Power Armor, S.P.E.C.I.A.L and more. The isometric view also helped give the gameworld a sense of depth and the ability to meet people who would provide unique sidequests would become a cornerstone for the series’ gameplay in general.

Fallout 2

Platforms: PC, Mac

Release date: 1998/2002

For Fallout 2, Interplay Productions (the series’ publishers at the time) followed a simple rule — If it ain’t broke, don’t fix it. The game offered similar graphics as well as gameplay options but expanded the lore even further. It introduced The Enclave, who would act as the antagonists for most of the series. It also expanded upon the world lore in many other ways while also improving overall gameplay — Exactly what a sequel should do.

Fallout 3

Platforms: PS3, Xbox 360, PC

Release date: 2008

It was a tough call to make between this and Fallout 4, but I felt that this made more sense. Fallout 3 was the series’ first foray into 3D and real-time action and Bethesda managed to hit it out of the park. Everything that players loved about the lore still remained in the game and the developers even managed to keep a little bit of that classic turn-based combat through the introduction of VATS combat. The setting of Capital Wasteland was as much a star of the game as the story, however, it was just not as interesting as subsequent locations.

Fallout 4

Platforms: PS4, PS5, Xbox One, Xbox X/S, PC

Release date: 2015

Fallout 4 remains a great entry point into the series for those who haven’t played any Fallout games before. It offers simplified dialogues, with a more fleshed-out protagonist. However, the main star of the game has to be the map. Commonwealth offered a more colourful and striking look at the wasteland and its devastation hits players with a bit more gravitas. The game also gave players the chance to build their own base, which was a nice new addition.

Fallout: New Vegas

Platforms: PS3, Xbox 360, PC

Release date: 2010

Remember what we said of Fallout 2, well, the same holds true for Fallout: New Vegas. It took everything that made Fallout 3 great and built upon it. So you get improved gunplay as well as improved questlines. It also features the best motivation for any video game protagonist — Revenge. The town of New Vegas as well as surrounding areas are teeming with interesting NPCs and quests that will leave lasting memories such as the scientist with a ‘theoretical degree in physics’ and a kid with a ‘toy gun’ that can call down a laser from space. There is a reason why it is considered to be one of the best RPGs ever made.