Play the Fallout games in release order for the best experience, starting with Fallout, then Fallout 2, Fallout 3, Fallout: New Vegas, Fallout 4, and finally Fallout 76.
So, you’re eager to dive into the post-apocalyptic world of Fallout, but wondering what order to play fallout games? The sprawling wasteland can be a bit daunting to navigate. Don’t worry, we’ll guide you through the best path to enjoy this amazing series.
Jumping around the titles might spoil some plot points or make you miss some of the gradual evolution. Sticking to the release order is highly recommended for the most immersive journey. This allows you to appreciate each game’s improvements and storytelling.
What Order To Play Fallout Games
Choosing the order to play Fallout games can be tricky! With so many adventures in the post-apocalyptic wasteland, you might wonder where to start. Should you go in release order, where the games came out one after another? Or should you try to play them based on the story and timeline? Both options have cool reasons to try them, and we’re going to explore all of them to help you pick what’s best for your adventure.
Playing by Release Date: A Journey Through Game History
Following the release order means playing the games as they were first introduced to the world. It’s like watching a movie series from the beginning, seeing how the graphics, gameplay, and stories changed over time. This order is great because it shows you the evolution of the series, but it’s not always the best for understanding the full story because of where the stories fit in the timeline. Below is a list of the main Fallout games in order of when they came out:
- Fallout: A Post Nuclear Role Playing Game (1997)
- Fallout 2 (1998)
- Fallout Tactics: Brotherhood of Steel (2001)
- Fallout 3 (2008)
- Fallout: New Vegas (2010)
- Fallout 4 (2015)
- Fallout 76 (2018)
Why Choose Release Order?
Playing by release order has some cool advantages:
- Witness the Evolution: You’ll get to see the series change from 2D isometric games to 3D worlds. You’ll appreciate how the graphics, gameplay mechanics, and stories have grown with each game.
- Gameplay Smooth Progression: Starting with the earlier games, which are different from the newer ones, lets you get used to the style before jumping into the newer, more complex ones.
- Nostalgia and Appreciation: If you played the older games when they came out, going back to them can be a really fun trip down memory lane. This way, you will enjoy the experience of the games from your first time playing them.
- Understanding the Basics: The earlier games establish the lore and the core game mechanics, which can help you appreciate the changes in later games.
The Challenges of Release Order
While playing in release order is cool, it has some drawbacks:
- Older Graphics and Gameplay: The older Fallout games might feel old compared to the newer ones. If you start with Fallout 4 or Fallout 76, going back to the older ones can be jarring. Some people might find it difficult or frustrating to play the older ones because the gameplay has changed a lot.
- Story Confusion: The storyline doesn’t unfold in the release order. Some of the stories go back in time, so you may miss the connections between games.
- Difficulty Curve: The older games can be tougher than the newer ones, which may feel unfair if you’re new to the series.
Playing by Chronological Order: Following the Timeline
Choosing the chronological order means playing the games in the order they happen in the Fallout universe. This way, the story unfolds in the order that makes the most sense. This gives you a better picture of how the world changes over time. The list is provided below:
- Fallout 76
- Fallout
- Fallout Tactics: Brotherhood of Steel
- Fallout 2
- Fallout 3
- Fallout: New Vegas
- Fallout 4
Why Choose Chronological Order?
There are some awesome reasons to play the games following the story order:
- A Clear Storyline: You’ll see the events unfold in a natural way, making it easier to understand the big picture. You will understand the overall story of the series.
- World Building: Playing chronologically helps you see how the world evolves from before the bombs dropped all the way to the more rebuilt times. You get to see the rise and fall of different factions.
- Deeper Connections: You’ll understand the links between the different games and how each story connects to the others. You will notice little nods in the story that make more sense in chronological order.
- Character Stories: You can follow certain characters or groups throughout different games, adding depth to your understanding of the stories and their motivations.
Challenges of Chronological Order
Playing by story order is cool, but it does have some challenges:
- Gameplay Inconsistency: You might jump from the more recent Fallout 76 to the very old Fallout, which has vastly different graphics and play styles. This can make the experience inconsistent and a bit jarring at times.
- Initial Difficulty: Starting with the older games, which can be more challenging than later games might feel too difficult for beginners who aren’t familiar with the retro-gaming.
- Missing the Evolution: You may not appreciate how far the series has come, in terms of gameplay and storytelling, since you won’t be playing the games in the order they were made.
A Hybrid Approach: Mixing Release and Chronological Order
If you can’t decide between release order or chronological order, how about mixing it up? A hybrid approach lets you get the best parts of both. For example, you can play the original games first to see the origins of the story, then jump to a more modern title, and then go back to some in between to get a feel for the story. Here’s an example of how that might look:
- Fallout
- Fallout 2
- Fallout 3
- Fallout: New Vegas
- Fallout 4
- Fallout 76
How This Approach Works
This way you start with the classic titles that establish the basic story and lore, and then move to the more modern 3D Fallout titles, and you still get a good flow of the story, and experience the more advanced gameplay of the modern games.
Advantages of Hybrid Order
A mixed order can be very rewarding:
- Balances Classic and Modern: This way you get to experience the older games without getting overwhelmed and enjoy the improvements in the modern titles.
- Story and Evolution: You get to see the story in a logical way while also seeing how the games changed over time.
- Keeps it Fresh: You won’t get tired of just old or new gameplay; it provides variety.
Other Considerations When Deciding What Order to Play Fallout Games
Before you jump into the wasteland, here are a few other points to think about:
Personal Preference
What kind of game do you prefer? If you like old-school role-playing games, start with the older titles. If you like more modern open-world games with better graphics, then start with the newer ones. It’s all about finding what you find fun!
Friends and Multiplayer
Do your friends play Fallout? If they are playing Fallout 76, you might want to play it too so that you can play together. This can be a great reason to pick the games you play in the order you play them.
Time Commitment
Fallout games can take a long time to play, some have way more quests than others. Consider how much time you have. You might want to start with one of the faster titles if you don’t have much time for gaming right now.
Modding
If you like to use mods (which are like extra add-ons for games), this can be a factor. Some of the older games have a smaller modding community, while some of the newer ones have huge communities with tons of mods to try.
No matter which way you choose to play the games, the most important thing is that you have fun! The Fallout world has lots to explore, stories to discover, and dangers to overcome. So pick an order that feels right for you and start your adventure today!
Ultimately, the best order to play Fallout games depends on what you want from the experience. Consider your gaming preferences, your desire to experience the story as it happened or as it was made, and how much time you have. Each method offers its own rewards and challenges, so have fun playing and enjoy the post-apocalyptic world of Fallout!
Which Fallout Game You Should Play First
Final Thoughts
For the best experience, play the Fallout series chronologically by release: Fallout, Fallout 2, Fallout 3, Fallout: New Vegas, Fallout 4, and then Fallout 76. This order preserves the evolution of gameplay and story.
Playing in this order allows you to experience the narrative arc and mechanical changes. you will see how each entry builds upon its predecessors. the world design and the stories are at their best.
This is the suggested pathway to answer what order to play fallout games. Follow the release dates to best experience this post-apocalyptic world. You must consider this order for a holistic understanding of the fallout universe.
