What Order to Play Fallout Games: A Journey Through the Wasteland and Beyond

The Fallout series, developed by Bethesda Softworks and its predecessors, is a cornerstone of the post-apocalyptic RPG genre. With its rich lore, complex characters, and immersive worlds, deciding the order in which to play these games can be as daunting as surviving the wasteland itself. Whether you’re a seasoned vault dweller or a newcomer to the series, the order in which you experience these games can significantly impact your understanding and enjoyment of the Fallout universe.
1. Release Order: The Classic Approach
- Fallout (1997): The original game that started it all. Playing Fallout first allows you to experience the series’ roots, where the foundations of the lore, such as the Vaults, the Brotherhood of Steel, and the Super Mutants, were established. The turn-based combat and isometric view might feel dated, but the storytelling and world-building are timeless.
- Fallout 2 (1998): A direct sequel to the first game, Fallout 2 expands on the original’s mechanics and introduces new factions, like the New California Republic (NCR). It’s more complex and challenging, but it deepens the lore and offers a richer narrative experience.
- Fallout Tactics: Brotherhood of Steel (2001): This spin-off focuses more on tactical combat rather than RPG elements. While it’s not essential to the main storyline, it provides additional context about the Brotherhood of Steel and their operations.
- Fallout 3 (2008): The game that brought the series into the 3D era. Fallout 3 is often considered the best entry point for new players due to its modern gameplay mechanics and accessible story. It introduces the Capital Wasteland and the iconic Vault 101.
- Fallout: New Vegas (2010): Developed by Obsidian Entertainment, this game is a fan favorite for its deep role-playing elements and branching storylines. It’s set in the Mojave Wasteland and ties back to the events of Fallout 2, making it a great follow-up to the earlier games.
- Fallout 4 (2015): The most recent mainline entry, Fallout 4 offers improved graphics, settlement building, and a more action-oriented gameplay style. While it’s more accessible, some fans argue that it sacrifices some of the series’ traditional RPG depth.
- Fallout 76 (2018): An online multiplayer game set before the events of the main series. It’s a departure from the single-player focus of previous games and is often recommended for those who want to explore the world with friends.
2. Chronological Order: A Historical Perspective
- Fallout 76 (2102): Set just 25 years after the Great War, Fallout 76 is the earliest in the timeline. It provides a glimpse into the early days of the wasteland and the formation of factions like the Responders and the Brotherhood of Steel.
- Fallout (2161): The original game takes place 84 years after the bombs fell. It’s a great way to see how the world has evolved since the events of Fallout 76.
- Fallout 2 (2241): Set 80 years after the first game, Fallout 2 shows the further development of the NCR and the rise of new threats like the Enclave.
- Fallout Tactics: Brotherhood of Steel (2197-2208): This game’s timeline overlaps with the earlier games, but it’s set in the Midwest, offering a different perspective on the Brotherhood’s expansion.
- Fallout 3 (2277): Set in the Capital Wasteland, Fallout 3 introduces the Lone Wanderer and explores the remnants of Washington, D.C.
- Fallout: New Vegas (2281): Just four years after Fallout 3, New Vegas takes place in the Mojave Wasteland and deals with the power struggle between the NCR, Caesar’s Legion, and Mr. House.
- Fallout 4 (2287): The latest in the timeline, Fallout 4 is set in the Commonwealth and follows the Sole Survivor’s quest to find their son.
3. Thematic Order: Exploring the Wasteland’s Many Faces
- Fallout 3: Start with the Capital Wasteland to get a sense of the devastation caused by the Great War. The game’s main quest revolves around the search for the protagonist’s father, offering a personal story amidst the ruins.
- Fallout: New Vegas: Move to the Mojave Wasteland to explore the political intrigue and moral dilemmas of the post-apocalyptic world. The game’s multiple endings and factions make it a rich, replayable experience.
- Fallout 4: Finally, head to the Commonwealth to see how society is rebuilding itself. The introduction of settlement building adds a new layer of gameplay, allowing you to shape the wasteland in your image.
4. Gameplay-Focused Order: From Classic to Modern
- Fallout & Fallout 2: Begin with the classics to appreciate the series’ origins. These games are more challenging and require a strategic approach to combat and decision-making.
- Fallout Tactics: Brotherhood of Steel: If you enjoy the tactical combat of the first two games, this spin-off offers a more focused experience in that regard.
- Fallout 3: Transition to the 3D era with Fallout 3, which introduces real-time combat and a more accessible gameplay style.
- Fallout: New Vegas: Continue with New Vegas, which refines the mechanics of Fallout 3 and adds more depth to the role-playing elements.
- Fallout 4: End with Fallout 4, which offers the most modern gameplay experience, including improved graphics, gunplay, and settlement building.
5. The “Skip the Spin-Offs” Order: Focus on the Mainline Games
- Fallout: Start with the original to understand the core of the series.
- Fallout 2: Follow up with the sequel to see how the world has evolved.
- Fallout 3: Jump to the 3D era with Fallout 3, which is often considered the best entry point for new players.
- Fallout: New Vegas: Continue with New Vegas, which is widely regarded as one of the best RPGs in the series.
- Fallout 4: Conclude with Fallout 4, the most recent mainline entry, which offers a more action-oriented experience.
6. The “Start with the Best” Order: For Those Who Want the Cream of the Crop
- Fallout: New Vegas: Often considered the pinnacle of the series, New Vegas offers deep role-playing, complex characters, and a morally ambiguous story. Starting here might set high expectations for the other games, but it’s a great way to dive into the best the series has to offer.
- Fallout 3: After experiencing New Vegas, Fallout 3 provides a more streamlined experience with a strong main quest and memorable locations like Megaton and Rivet City.
- Fallout 4: Finally, Fallout 4 offers a more modern take on the series, with improved gameplay mechanics and a focus on exploration and settlement building.
7. The “Reverse Chronological” Order: From Modern to Classic
- Fallout 4: Start with the most recent entry to get a feel for the modern gameplay and graphics.
- Fallout: New Vegas: Move back to New Vegas to experience a more traditional RPG with deeper role-playing elements.
- Fallout 3: Continue with Fallout 3, which offers a balance between the modern and classic styles.
- Fallout 2: Dive into the classic era with Fallout 2, which is more complex and challenging but offers a rich narrative experience.
- Fallout: Finally, play the original Fallout to see where it all began.
8. The “Lore-First” Order: For the Story Enthusiasts
- Fallout 76: Start with the earliest game in the timeline to understand the origins of the wasteland and the factions.
- Fallout: Move to the original game to see how the world has evolved after the Great War.
- Fallout 2: Continue with the sequel to explore the rise of the NCR and the Enclave.
- Fallout 3: Jump to the Capital Wasteland to see how the East Coast has been affected by the war.
- Fallout: New Vegas: Finally, experience the political intrigue of the Mojave Wasteland and the power struggle between the NCR, Caesar’s Legion, and Mr. House.
9. The “Mix and Match” Order: For the Adventurous Player
- Fallout 3: Start with Fallout 3 to get a feel for the 3D gameplay and the Capital Wasteland.
- Fallout: New Vegas: Move to New Vegas to experience a more complex and morally ambiguous story.
- Fallout 2: Dive into the classic era with Fallout 2 to see how the series began.
- Fallout 4: Return to the modern era with Fallout 4 to explore the Commonwealth and its rebuilding efforts.
- Fallout: Finally, play the original Fallout to complete your journey through the series.
10. The “Multiplayer First” Order: For the Social Wastelanders
- Fallout 76: Start with the multiplayer experience to explore the wasteland with friends and understand the early days of the post-apocalyptic world.
- Fallout 4: Move to the single-player experience with Fallout 4, which offers a more personal story and the ability to shape the wasteland through settlement building.
- Fallout: New Vegas: Continue with New Vegas to experience a more traditional RPG with deep role-playing elements.
- Fallout 3: Finally, play Fallout 3 to see how the series transitioned into the 3D era.
Related Q&A
Q: Can I play Fallout: New Vegas without playing Fallout 3? A: Yes, Fallout: New Vegas is a standalone story that doesn’t require knowledge of Fallout 3. However, playing Fallout 3 first can provide context for some of the game’s mechanics and world-building.
Q: Is Fallout 76 worth playing if I prefer single-player games? A: Fallout 76 is primarily a multiplayer experience, but it has been updated to include more single-player content. If you’re a fan of the series’ lore, it might be worth checking out, but it’s not essential for understanding the mainline games.
Q: Should I play the classic Fallout games if I’m used to modern RPGs? A: The classic Fallout games are more challenging and have a different gameplay style compared to modern RPGs. If you’re interested in the series’ origins and don’t mind dated graphics and mechanics, they’re worth playing. Otherwise, you can start with Fallout 3 or New Vegas.
Q: What’s the best Fallout game for beginners? A: Fallout 3 is often recommended as the best entry point for beginners due to its accessible gameplay and strong narrative. Fallout 4 is also a good option for those who prefer more modern graphics and mechanics.
Q: How important is the order in which I play the Fallout games? A: While each Fallout game is a standalone experience, playing them in a certain order can enhance your understanding of the lore and world-building. However, you can enjoy each game on its own without needing to play the others.