RPG · October 28, 2008

Fallout 3 (2008)

calendar_todayAge 17+extension6 DLClocal_offer-75% current discountgroup1M–10M ownersrecommend17.4k recommendations
Vault-Tec engineers have worked around the clock on an interactive reproduction of Wasteland life for you to enjoy from the comfort of your own vault. Included is an expansive world, unique combat, shockingly realistic visuals, tons of player choice, and an incredible cast of dynamic characters. Every minute is a fight for survival against the terrors of the outside world — radiation, Super Mutants, and hostile mutated creatures. From Vault-Tec, America's First Choice in Post Nuclear Simulation. Limitless Freedom! Take in the sights and sounds of the vast Capital Wasteland! See the great monuments of the United States lying in post-apocalyptic ruin! You make the choices that define you and change the world. Just keep an eye on your Rad Meter! Experience S.P.E.C.I.A.L.! Vault-Tec engineers bring you the latest in human ability simulation — the SPECIAL Character System! Utilizing new breakthroughs in points-based ability representation, SPECIAL affords unlimited customization of your character. Also included are dozens of unique skills and perks to choose from, each with a dazzling variety of effects! Fantastic New Views! The wizards at Vault-Tec have done it again! No longer constrained to just one view, experience the world from 1st or 3rd person perspective. Customize your view with the touch of a button! The Power of Choice! Feeling like a dastardly villain today, or a Good Samaritan? Pick a side or walk the line, as every situation can be dealt with in many different ways. Talk out your problems in a civilized fashion, or just flash your Plasma Rifle. Blast 'Em Away With V.A.T.S.! Even the odds in combat with the Vault-Tec Assisted Targeting System for your Pip-Boy Model 3000! V.A.T.S. allows you to pause time in combat, target specific body parts on your target, queue up attacks, and let Vault-Tec take out your aggression for you. Rain death and destruction in an all-new cinematic presentation. Mind-Blowing Artificial Intelligence! At Vault-Tec, we realize that the key to reviving civilization after a global nuclear war is people. Our best minds pooled their efforts to produce an advanced version of Radiant AI, America's First Choice in Human Interaction Simulation. Facial expressions, gestures, unique dialog, and lifelike behavior are brought together with stunning results by the latest in Vault-Tec technology. Eye-Popping Prettiness!*: Witness the harsh realities of nuclear fallout rendered like never before in modern super-deluxe HD graphics. From the barren Wasteland, to the danger-filled offices and metro tunnels of DC, to the hideous rotten flesh of a mutant's face.     *Protective Eyewear Encouraged.

Position in RPG

MetricThis titleGenre position
Review volume20.9k Steam reviewsTop 18% in RPG
Positive rating81% positiveGenre average: 83% — this title sits in top 69%
Metacritic91/100Genre average 78 — top 9% of RPG titles
Engagement hours14 h averageTop 70% for session depth among RPG

Community Tag Signals

Tag weights reflect how many Steam users voted each descriptor — larger pills = stronger consensus.

  • Open World · 792
  • Post-apocalyptic · 690
  • RPG · 647
  • Singleplayer · 446
  • Exploration · 413
  • First-Person · 368
  • Sci-fi · 342
  • Moddable · 335
  • Adventure · 333
  • Action · 328
  • FPS · 275
  • Atmospheric · 272
  • Shooter · 242
  • Character Customization · 234
  • Third Person · 225

Peer RPG titles

Comparable titles in the same genre and review-volume band — ranked by Steam positive percentage.

More from Bethesda Game Studios

Bethesda Game Studios has 12 titles indexed — top 6 by review volume below.

Reception Metrics

Steam community

81%Mostly Positive · 20.9k reviews

17.0k positive · 4.0k negative

Metacritic

91/100 critic aggregate

Open Metacritic page

Metacritic user score

8.5/10

Curator recommendations

17.4k

Release & Availability

Release dateOct 28, 2008
DeveloperBethesda Game Studios
PublisherBethesda Softworks
Base price$2.49 -75%
Required age17+
DLC / Add-ons6 released
PlatformsWindows
Estimated owners1M–10M
External linksOfficial site · Metacritic page · Support

Localization Coverage

Interface / Subtitles (5)

  • English
  • French
  • Italian
  • German
  • Spanish - Spain

Engagement Profile

All-time avg

14h

short (5–15 hours)

Median

4h

Typical completion time

Editions & Packages

  • Buy Fallout 3