How to Play the Fallout Games in Chronological Order

How Many Fallout Games and Expansions Are There?

In whole, there are 9 major Fallout video games – eight on dwelling console and one on cellular units. There are additionally 13 main expansions unfold throughout Fallout 3, Fallout: New Vegas and Fallout 4. The Fallout franchise is a core Bethesda sport that may doubtless proceed to obtain help.

Which Fallout Recreation Ought to You Play First?

For newcomers, the greatest place to begin is arguably Fallout 4, though Fallout 3 and New Vegas are nonetheless nice methods to enter the franchise. Fallout 4 is the most up-to-date single-player addition to the collection, and consequently, is the most modern-feeling tackle the universe. Extra importantly, it’s the solely mainline single-player Fallout sport nonetheless simply accessible on all trendy consoles bar Nintendo Change.

As for these frightened they may be behind on the story, every Fallout sport tells a contemporary narrative with a brand new lead character and setting, and Fallout 4 isn’t any totally different. Though you could miss a couple of references to the occasions of earlier video games, it’s fairly simple to leap in with none prior information of the lore.

How to Play the Fallout Games in Order

These blurbs include gentle spoilers for every sport, together with characters, settings, and story beats.

One factor to observe earlier than we get began: We is not going to be counting two video games on our chronological timeline. The primary is the cellular vault administration simulator, Fallout Shelter. Though the sport does observe the lore of Fallout’s vaults, it additionally options characters and objects tons of of years earlier than they seem in the Fallout storyline, making it non-canon.

We additionally didn’t rely Fallout: Brotherhood of Metal, which Bethesda has confirmed takes place in its personal chronology. That being mentioned, we’ve got included Fallout Techniques, regardless of its canonicity being questioned. Though Bethesda has since retconned components of Techniques’ story, sure occasions from its narrative have been referenced in future video games, making it at the least semi-canon to the timeline.

Lastly, we gained’t be together with any expansions that don’t include story content material. For instance, Fallout 4’s Wasteland and Contraptions Workshop expansions aren’t featured on the listing. The identical goes for New Vegas’ Courier Stash DLC.

1. Fallout 76

Bethesda’s most up-to-date addition to the Fallout canon is the first on the chronological timeline. Fallout 76 is an internet expertise that follows the first vault dwellers to enter the wasteland 25 years after nuclear struggle eviscerated the world.

Taking over the function of one among these pioneers, the participant’s journey begins as they exit the titular Vault 76 and embark on a journey via Appalachia in search of their lacking overseer. Alongside the method, they uncover the world they as soon as knew has been reworked right into a nuclear hellscape, full with mutated monstrosities, long-dormant killer robots, and zombie-like irradiated people generally known as Ghouls. To outlive, they will workforce up with different survivors, construct bases, full quests, and reestablish a neighborhood amongst the ruins of a fallen world.

Fallout 76 was Bethesda’s try at creating a totally on-line Fallout sport for the first time, permitting gamers to discover the wasteland with pals. Though it was acquired poorly at launch, it has been up to date incessantly in the years since, with the Wastelanders and Metal Reign updates including NPCs and new questlines.

2. Fallout

Quick ahead 59 years and we attain the occasions of the first sport in the collection. Developed by Interaction Productions, Fallout follows a vault dweller residing in a bomb shelter generally known as Vault 13. Hiding away from the apocalyptic wasteland outdoors their doorways, the participant’s peaceable way of life is thrown into chaos after the vault’s water techniques cease working, threatening the lives of everybody residing in Vault 13.

They’re tasked with a seemingly easy mission: enterprise into the wasteland, get better a brand new water chip, and return dwelling to save their fellow survivors. Nevertheless, the stakes of the vault dweller’s mission change into far grander after they encounter a military of mutated abominations generally known as Tremendous Mutants and their chief, the Grasp. Not solely do these monsters jeopardize the way forward for Vault 13, however they pose a serious risk to the complete wasteland.

Providing a markedly totally different gameplay fashion to the Bethesda-developed Fallout video games launched years later, the first Fallout was an in-depth CRPG, that includes turn-based fight and a top-down digicam. That being mentioned, a lot of Fallout’s future was current in its first entry, together with a heavy deal with participant alternative and immersive role-playing.

3. Fallout Techniques

Three many years later, we attain the occasions of Fallout Techniques: a technique spin-off developed by Micro Forté. Though a few of the lore of Fallout Techniques has since been retconned and is taken into account non-canon by Bethesda, sure occasions from its story have been referenced in future video games, making it at the least partially a part of the timeline.

The sport itself sees gamers lace up the boots of an provoke of the iconic power-armour-clad faction, the Brotherhood of Metal. Becoming a member of the military’s ranks and main a gaggle of fellow troopers, they full varied missions throughout the Wasteland.

Fallout Techniques took the gameplay of Fallout in a brand new route, as gamers command their squad via a collection of strategic battles towards iconic foes comparable to Tremendous Mutants, Ghouls and Deathclaws.

4. Fallout 2

Fourty-four years after Fallout Techniques concludes, the occasions of Fallout 2 happen. With Black Isle Studios taking the reins as developer, Fallout 2 was the collection’ first main sequel, this time following a descendent of the Vault Dweller from the unique sport generally known as the Chosen One.

After their settlement is hit by a protracted drought, the Chosen One is chosen to depart the confines of their dwelling in search of a terraforming gadget generally known as a G.E.C.Okay. Their journey takes them throughout the huge reaches of the Wasteland, touchdown them in the sights of a extremely superior faction generally known as the Enclave. As the Chosen One dives deeper into the faction’s targets, they uncover the group’s exhausting at work on a sinister experiment.

5. Fallout 3

After Bethesda bought the rights to the Fallout license in 2007, Bethesda Recreation Studios took its first crack at the franchise with Fallout 3. Set three many years after Fallout 2, Fallout 3 picks up the story in the new setting of the Capital Wasteland, casting gamers as a vault dweller generally known as the Lone Wanderer.

Dwelling a secular life inside the sealed partitions of Vault 101, the Lone Wanderer’s life is thrown into chaos after their father mysteriously disappears, inflicting the protagonist to be exiled from their dwelling. Starting a journey throughout the Capitol Wasteland in search of their father, they uncover his disappearance could also be extra vital than it first appeared and finally change into embroiled in a sinister plot concocted by the Enclave.

Fallout 3 acted as a serious reinvention of the Fallout collection, buying and selling in the earlier entries’ CRPG gameplay for a totally 3D world with real-time shootouts, a first-person digicam, and the collection’ now-signature V.A.T.S. focusing on system.

6. Fallout 3 – Operation Anchorage

The primary growth for Fallout 3, Operation Anchorage gives gamers a collection of latest quets set throughout the occasions of the major marketing campaign. The story follows the Lone Wanderer serving to the Brotherhood of Metal enter a sealed pre-war armory. The one method in is to survive a simulation of the notorious Battle of Anchorage, which came about in Alaska prior to the nuclear struggle that destroyed Fallout’s world.

All through the marketing campaign, the participant steps inside the simulation and takes on the function of an American soldier preventing towards Chinese language troops, experiencing Anchorage firsthand. The DLC permits gamers a prolonged glimpse of a beforehand unseen a part of Fallout’s lore, in addition to providing loads of new fight encounters.

7. Fallout 3 – The Pitt

Fallout 3’s second main growth, The Pitt additionally takes place throughout the occasions of the major marketing campaign. It provides a brand new locale for gamers to discover in the titular Pitt, a ruthless, plague-infested metropolis discovered amongst the ruins of Pittsburgh.

After assembly a slave that escaped the metropolis, the growth begins with the Lone Wanderer venturing to The Pitt to discover a treatment for a rampant illness that’s been reworking the inhabitants into blood-thirsty monsters. Alongside the method, they change into concerned in the battle between the enslaved residents and their raider masters, making powerful selections that may without end alter The Pitt and its inhabitants.

8. Fallout 3 – Level Lookout

Fallout 3’s fourth add-on, Level Lookout is about throughout the occasions of the major marketing campaign and takes gamers to an all-new setting, with the Lone Wanderer setting sail for the haunting swamps of the titular coastal city. The growth begins with the Lone Wanderer providing to assist a mom discover her lacking daughter, Nadine, who just lately launched into a journey to Level Lookout.

Upon arriving in the city, they rapidly uncover the reality behind Nadine’s disappearance runs a lot deeper than anticipated. Lodging themselves in the middle of a long-standing rivalry between the proprietor of a neighborhood mansion and a tribe of cultists, the Lone Wanderer is pressured to cope with the swamp’s eerie mutated inhabitants, confront buried secrets and techniques, and even endure impromptu mind surgical procedure in a bid to survive.

9. Fallout 3 – Mothership Zeta

The final growth added to Fallout 3, Mothership Zeta is about throughout the occasions of the major marketing campaign and gives a singular, B-movie sci-fi spin on the franchise.

After responding to a radio sign out in the wasteland, the Lone Wanderer is kidnapped by a UFO, experimented on by aliens, and imprisoned on their craft. Escaping their cell, the participant groups with the aliens’ different human prisoners to overthrow their extraterrestrial captors and return to Earth.

10. Fallout 3 – Damaged Metal

The third growth for Fallout 3 however the solely add-on to happen after the occasions of the major story, Damaged Metal acts as an epilogue with a brand new ending. Though gamers have been initially unable to proceed their Fallout 3 save after the credit rolled, Damaged Metal added the capability to resume their journey, alongside delivering a brief collection of latest missions.

Surviving their encounter with Colonel Autumn in the Purity Venture management room, the growth sees the Lone Wanderer workforce as soon as once more with the Brotherhood of Metal, aiding the group in eradicating the Enclave from the Capitol Wasteland for good.

11. Fallout: New Vegas

In the years following Fallout 3, Obsidian Leisure took its crack at the Fallout license with a spin-off titled Fallout: New Vegas. Set 4 years after the occasions of the earlier sport, New Vegas tells the story of a courier who’s ambushed, shot, and left for useless in the Mojave Wasteland whereas transporting a priceless bundle to the glitzy, reclaimed streets of Las Vegas.

Discovered and patched up by a gaggle of native settlers, the courier rises from their grave and proceeds to observe down the man who tried to kill them, unwittingly changing into the middle of an influence battle between the varied factions vying for management of the New Vegas strip. As they dig deeper into the bundle they carried and the man who stole it from them, the Courier realizes their selections have the potential to change the Mojave Wasteland without end.

12. Fallout: New Vegas – Lifeless Cash

The primary growth launched for Fallout: New Vegas, Lifeless Cash is about throughout the occasions of the major marketing campaign and gives a brand new locale to discover. Taking gamers to the Sierra Madre, the story sees the Courier kidnapped, fitted with an explosive collar, and compelled to rob a seemingly impenetrable pre-war on line casino with the assist of three unlikely allies.

The duty, by all accounts, is a suicide mission. The on line casino is surrounded by a cloud of lethal poisonous fuel, whereas a faction of ruthless survivors generally known as the Ghost Folks patrol the streets eliminating any and all treasure hunters. It falls to the Courier to set up a daring heist with the assist of their allies to bypass the on line casino’s defenses and entry the legendary loot behind its partitions.

13. Fallout: New Vegas – Sincere Hearts

The second growth to hit Fallout: New Vegas, Sincere Hearts falls inside the occasions of the major marketing campaign and sees the Courier enterprise to Zion Nationwide Park. There, they stumble throughout Joshua Graham, the legendary “Burned Man” who has change into one thing of a bogeyman to Caesar’s Legion after surviving a seemingly deadly run-in with the faction’s ruthless chief.

Discovering themselves in the middle of a struggle between the Burned Man’s military and a rival tribe generally known as the White Legs, the participant should workforce with Graham to save Zion and its individuals.

14. Fallout: New Vegas – Outdated World Blues

The third New Vegas growth, Outdated World Blues takes place throughout the major marketing campaign and begins with the Courier monitoring down a crashed satellite tv for pc projecting a mysterious message. After interacting with the satellite tv for pc, the Courier is knocked out and brought to a scientific facility contained inside Huge Mountain, the place they uncover they’ve undergone a mysterious surgical process.

Exploring the facility, they meet a panel of nonsensical AI scientists, who inform them that their mind has been stolen by a nefarious robotic generally known as Physician Morbius. Teaming with their new AI allies, they journey throughout the analysis facility to defeat Morbius, retrieve their mind, and study extra about Huge Mountain’s secrets and techniques.

15. Fallout: New Vegas – Lonesome Street

The fourth and closing New Vegas growth, Lonesome Street takes place prior to the conclusion of the major marketing campaign however wraps up lots of excellent story beats established throughout the major sport and former DLCs.

The journey sees the Courier enterprise into a brand new space generally known as The Divide in search of Ulysses, the courier initially designated the job of transporting the platinum chip earlier than it was entrusted to the lead protagonist. Promising solutions about his actual identification, Ulysses summons the Courier for one closing confrontation, placing the pair on a crash course that may unveil their darkish pasts.

16. Fallout 4

Returning to the IP for the first time since 2008’s Fallout 3, Bethesda launched Fallout 4 in 2015. Starting on the day the bombs fell, gamers tackle the function of a civilian generally known as the Sole Survivor who takes refuge in Vault 111 with their partner and son. Cryogenically frozen inside the vault, the Sole Survivor wakes up 200 years later, discovering their partner useless, their son lacking, and the world destroyed.

Rising into the Commonwealth, Bethesda’s apocalyptic tackle the Higher Boston area, they start a tireless journey to observe down their son. Alongside the method, they lock horns with a mysterious, scientifically superior faction referred to as the Institute, which kidnaps wastelanders and replaces them with sentient robots generally known as synths.

As their struggle towards the Institute rages on, the Sole Survivor learns the darkish secrets and techniques behind the Institute’s plans, finally teaming with the varied factions of the wasteland to deliver the group down.

17. Fallout 4 – Automatron

The primary story growth for Fallout 4, Automatron takes place throughout the occasions of the major story and sees the Sole Survivor go up towards an antagonist generally known as the Mechanist.

It includes a quick chain of latest quests in which the Sole Survivor battles the Mechanist’s robots and finally tracks their foe down to their lair. The primary objective of the add-on, nevertheless, is including the capability to construct and mod robots you possibly can take with you round the wasteland.

18. Fallout 4 – Far Harbour

The second story growth for Fallout 4, Far Harbour is about throughout the occasions of Fallout 4’s major marketing campaign, and sees the Sole Survivor sail to the eerie titular island in search of a lacking lady. There they discover a secret neighborhood of impartial synths led by superior AI generally known as DiMA.

As DiMA reveals new details about his neighborhood and Far Harbour, it turns into clear that the island is caught in a battle between the locals and a radiation-worshipping cult generally known as the Youngsters of Atom, who’re making an attempt to cowl the island in radioactive fog. It doesn’t take lengthy for the Sole Survivor to get caught up in this dispute, giving them the energy to make selections that may irreversibly change the spooky locale and its residents.

19. Fallout 4 – Vault-Tec Workshop

A small growth launched after Far Harbour, Vault-Tec Workshop takes place throughout the marketing campaign and sees the Sole Survivor tackle the process of constructing their very personal vault. After liberating Vault 88 from raiders, the Sole Survivor meets an overseer trapped inside the ruins who intends to revamp the deserted bomb shelter.

Aiding her, the participant is ready to construct their dream vault, recruit dwellers to dwell inside it and enhance the shelter to most effectivity.

20. Fallout 4 – Nuka World

The ultimate story growth for Fallout 4, Nuka World is about throughout the occasions of the major marketing campaign and palms the Sole Survivor the keys to an all-new space containing a large, Nuka-Cola-themed amusement park.

After arriving and instantly being pitted towards a collection of ruthless raiders, lure rooms and robotic enemies, the participant is granted the title of Nuka-World overboss. Nevertheless, the place is hardly the dream job it is cracked up to be. Their new-found management requires that they cope with three raider factions residing in the park, forcing the Sole Survivor to resolve whether or not to appease them and develop their territory or eradicate them altogether.

All Fallout Games and Expansions in Order of Launch

1. Fallout (1997)

2. Fallout 2 (1998)

3. Fallout Techniques (2001)

4. Fallout: Brotherhood of Metal (2004)

5. Fallout 3 (2008)

6. Fallout 3 – Operation Anchorage (2009)

7. Fallout 3 – The Pitt (2009)

8. Fallout 3 – Damaged Metal (2009)

9. Fallout 3 – Level Lookout (2009)

10. Fallout 3 – Mothership Zeta (2009)

11. Fallout: New Vegas (2010)

12. Fallout: New Vegas – Lifeless Cash (2010)

13. Fallout: New Vegas – Sincere Hearts (2011)

14. Fallout: New Vegas – Outdated World Blues (2011)

15. Fallout: New Vegas – Lonesome Street (2011)

16. Fallout Shelter (2015)

17. Fallout 4 (2015)

18. Fallout 4 – Automatron (2016)

19. Fallout 4 – Far Harbour (2016)

20. Fallout 4 – Vault-Tec Workshop (2016)

21. Fallout 4 – Nuka-World (2016)

22. Fallout 76 (2018)

What’s Subsequent for Fallout?

As talked about earlier, the subsequent main addition to the Fallout universe is the upcoming Fallout TV present, which is about to launch on Prime Video on April 12. Telling a brand new story, it would happen in the ruins of Los Angeles with a vault dweller performed by Anna Purnell venturing out into the wasteland. The present has a stacked roster of expertise behind it, together with Westworld creator Jonathan Nolan.

As for video video games, Bethesda has made it clear Fallout 5 is on the method, thought it gained’t be anytime quickly. Talking to IGN again in 2022, Fallout director Todd Howard confirmed Fallout 5 will come after The Elder Scrolls 6. Contemplating Bethesda Recreation Studios has solely simply wrapped up work on its most up-to-date launch, Starfield, it appears we’re going to be ready a number of years earlier than stepping again out into the wasteland.

Callum Williams is a freelance media author with years of expertise as a sport critic, information reporter, guides author and options author.