Fallout
Year: 1997-Present
Created by: Interplay Entertainment
Games: 9
Series: 1
Created by: Interplay Entertainment
Games: 9
Series: 1
"War. War never changes." - The Narrator
Following their decision to become a self-publishing development studio, Interplay Entertainment were unable to continue development of their 'Wasteland' series due to the rights being owned by EA. Wanting to continue down this route, Interplay got to work creating a new post-apocalyptic survival RPG with a distinct feel and style. Employing a similar skill system to Dungeons & Dragons' 'GURPS' model, Interplay released Fallout in 1997. With two mainline titles developed by Interplay, and two spin off titles outsourced to other developers, Fallout enjoyed moderate success in the PC market.
Following the bankruptcy of Interplay, the Fallout IP was purchased by Bethesda who were well known for their Elder Scrolls RPG franchise. Since then the franchise has become one of the most beloved modern RPG franchises, with a recent TV adaptation by Amazon.
Collected here are my reviews for every Fallout game and the series.
Following the bankruptcy of Interplay, the Fallout IP was purchased by Bethesda who were well known for their Elder Scrolls RPG franchise. Since then the franchise has become one of the most beloved modern RPG franchises, with a recent TV adaptation by Amazon.
Collected here are my reviews for every Fallout game and the series.
Classic Games:
The 'Classic' era of Fallout games can be most easily identified by their isometric viewpoints and focus on RPG survival mechanics than action. The original two games, developed by Interplay Entertainment, are beloved for their freedom of gameplay style and their incredibly dark humour, with dedicated fans continuing to keep the games alive today with mods and community features. The franchise branched out into strategy with Fallout Tactics, developed by MicroForte, which may not have the same widespread popularity as the mainline games but does have a cult following attached to it.
Meanwhile Fallout: Brotherhood of Steel, developed by Interplay Entertainment, marked the franchise's leap from PC to console, and had a greater emphasis on action. It was poorly received and often forgotten when the Fallout franchise is brought up.
Meanwhile Fallout: Brotherhood of Steel, developed by Interplay Entertainment, marked the franchise's leap from PC to console, and had a greater emphasis on action. It was poorly received and often forgotten when the Fallout franchise is brought up.
Modern Games:
Following the acquisition of the Fallout IP by Bethesda, the 'Modern' era of Fallout games is what has boosted the franchise's popularity to the mainstream. Adopting fully 3D worlds with a greater emphasis on action, these Fallout games as what most gamers would be accustomed to when looking at the franchise at large.
Fallout 3 raised the bar for western RPG's and remains one of the most critically acclaimed games of all time. Meanwhile New Vegas, developed by Obsidian Entertainment, had a rocky development and was plagued with technical problems, but with a dedicated and feverish cult fanbase keeping it alive through mods it's arguably one of the best Fallout experiences you can have.
Shelter marked the jump to mobile devices with a city management simulator, and Fallout 4 favoured action over RPG mechanics, but both were the best selling games in the franchise and are perhaps the most recognisable games thanks to their eye popping visual design. Then Fallout 76 saw Bethesda attempt to move Fallout into the realms of an MMO with disastrous results. Though years of content updates, performance fixes, and a small but loyal fanbase have made it one of the most welcoming Fallout experiences for new players.
Fallout 3 raised the bar for western RPG's and remains one of the most critically acclaimed games of all time. Meanwhile New Vegas, developed by Obsidian Entertainment, had a rocky development and was plagued with technical problems, but with a dedicated and feverish cult fanbase keeping it alive through mods it's arguably one of the best Fallout experiences you can have.
Shelter marked the jump to mobile devices with a city management simulator, and Fallout 4 favoured action over RPG mechanics, but both were the best selling games in the franchise and are perhaps the most recognisable games thanks to their eye popping visual design. Then Fallout 76 saw Bethesda attempt to move Fallout into the realms of an MMO with disastrous results. Though years of content updates, performance fixes, and a small but loyal fanbase have made it one of the most welcoming Fallout experiences for new players.
TV Series:
Employing the talents of Jonathan Nolan, Amazon's Fallout series does a decent job of translating the IP to long form TV. Capturing the iconic look of the games perfectly, and weaving an intriguing tale of deception and finding one's family whilst exploring the dark and complicated origins of the end of the world.
Whether you're a fan of the games or not, Amazon's show will likely have something that'll draw you in and keep you hooked.
Whether you're a fan of the games or not, Amazon's show will likely have something that'll draw you in and keep you hooked.