Ever since the release of the first ‘Fallout’ video game in 1997, the saga has left an indelible mark on the world of gaming and gamers alike. The series is set in a future that diverged from our reality in the 1950s, a future where Earth has been ravaged by nuclear war. The game takes place in the wasteland left after the apocalypse war, featuring power struggles within and between the radiation shelters. The franchise has seen a number of epic games set in this ravaged world that will now come to life beyond consoles and PC screens in a Prime Video series.
How many ‘Fallout’ games are there, and which is the first and last?
Fallout (1997)
- The journey through radioactive wastelands began in 1997 with the launch of the original game ‘Fallout’. Developed by Interplay and Black Isle Studios, this isometric perspective PC game marked the beginning of the Fallout universe. Set in a world devastated by the Great War of 2077, it introduced players to the experience of an isometric RPG, where choices had consequences, and survival depended on cunning strategic decisions. As the catalyst of this great saga, the game is considered one of the finest in gaming history and, of course, among its Fallout brethren.
Fallout 2 (1998)
- Just a year later, in 1998, came the sequel ‘Fallout 2’. Also developed for PC by Interplay and Black Isle Studios, it took the narrative a step further. An old school game that expanded the Fallout universe, offering players a vast area to explore, with new factions, characters, and missions, as well as the ability to make more subjective decisions. It’s still regarded as one of the best in the series.
Fallout Tactics: Brotherhood of Steel (2001)
- With the turn of the century, Micro Forté and Interplay launched the PC spin-off ‘Fallout Tactics: Brotherhood of Steel’. The game, deviating from the traditional RPG format, focused more on battles and there were no dialogue options. It’s considered one of the weaker entries in the series, though many of the criticisms came from the way it deviated from the story of the first two games, rather than its gameplay.
Fallout: Brotherhood of Steel (2004)
- Following the previous misstep, Interplay Entertainment released this third-person action game for PlayStation 2 and Xbox, the first Fallout title for consoles. A spin-off in an isometric shooter format using dual joysticks, it was another failure for the Fallout saga and was the final game developed by Interplay, who sold the rights to Bethesda Game Studios.
Fallout 3 (2008)
- The arrival of the third installment of the main series in 2008 marked a significant milestone for the series. Developed by Bethesda, ‘Fallout 3’ transitioned to a 3D open-world environment on PC, PlayStation 3, and Xbox. This shift led players to explore the wastelands of the Capital Wasteland, facing radioactive dangers and discovering new and exciting stories at every turn. It was a positive change for the franchise, laying the groundwork for future games.
Fallout: New Vegas (2010)
- In 2010, ‘Fallout: New Vegas’ arrived, considered by many to be the best game of the series, developed by Obsidian Entertainment and Bethesda. Not a direct sequel, this first-person spin-off with shooter elements is set in the Mojave Wasteland, presenting new factions, conflicts, and moral dilemmas. It was a turning point for the franchise.
Fallout 4 (2015)
- The latest main installment to hit the market, released by Bethesda, is considered the weakest of the main series. A first-person RPG for PC, PlayStation 4, and Xbox, with a questionable gaming experience in an open world filled with settlements and a somewhat misguided story. Despite its strong sales, it was a step back following the success of 2010.
Fallout 76 (2018)
- The most recent entry in the series is ‘Fallout 76’. Considered one of the more mediocre games of the saga, this RPG developed by Bethesda Game Studios for PC, PlayStation 4, and Xbox One, featured an online world in Appalachia with other real players. An experimental spin-off with multiple bugs, it tried to match other franchises with online experience.
Bonus Track: Fallout Shelter (2015)
This free video game, developed by Bethesda for iOS and Android devices, has been a pleasant surprise for players. It’s based on the management and construction of a shelter as a supervisor, directing its dwellers. Also available for PS4 and PC, it has been a relief for a franchise that, with the Prime Video series, hopes to experience a rebirth.
Will there be a Fallout 5?
Todd Howard, director and executive producer at Bethesda, has confirmed that the plan is to produce a Fallout 5. There’s no expected date however, with Howard saying in June 2022 that work on the next main installment of the franchise would start when the studio finishes Elder Scrolls VI (as of publication the earliest that is expected to be released is 2026).
