Fallout - Where should a newb start?

[Kage]

So with the Fallout 4 announcement, I'm interested in starting. Obviously this means I should start playing -a- game.

 

From what I read, all of the games are related or sequential if they are title games but if I have the chance to play only -one- which should I go with?

[Chris Ganale]

Not technically true. I've only played 3 and New Vegas. While the games do reference older titles, they're not proper sequels and you lose nothing for not playing them.

[ProvaDiServo]

Just play three to start. You'll do fine, the game does well to give you an understanding of the series without delving into prequels.

[Leggerless]

Like Elder Scrolls? Start with Three.

 

Don't like or know what Elder Scrolls is? Start with New Vegas.

[Chris Ganale]

New Vegas is definitely the best/most polished of the series. I very greatly enjoyed it.

 

However, 3 also comes with a few references to where we're going in 4.

[Verad]

Play the early games because they're good games.

[Chill Man]

The first two games are good, but a bit archaic. The second game is a classic. The switch from 1/2 to 3 may be a bit jarring; not only are they completely different gameplay-wise, but 3 has a far more serious tone than the original games. Additionally, 3 doesn't have near as much dark humor as the first two games, and the Brotherhood of Steel organization in 3 has a different characterization and motivation than the previous titles.

[Aduu Avagnar]

as has been stated, 3 has references to the Commonwealth, and I believe is closer geographically to where we are going with 4. And like as not, there are going to be throwbacks to it (due to said geographic closeness).

 

I would start with 3, move to New Vegas, and if you're hankering for more of the background hit up 1 and 2.

[ProvaDiServo]

New Vegas is definitely the best/most polished of the series. I very greatly enjoyed it.

 

However, 3 also comes with a few references to where we're going in 4.

 

Not sure I agree, all the way. However the GOTY ver. I could side with.

[WhiteLycanXII]

New Vegas felt, in some places, like an unpolished mod for FO3. The areas in and around Vegas itself seemed really barren, and the way they handled some of the side-quests felt inconsistent between each other, whereas everything felt more tightly bundled in Fallout 3.

 

However, New Vegas, being made by  Obsidian, who had staff that were involved in previous Fallout titles (such as the cancelled Van Buren), was a game seemed closer to the original games in some respects, at least where lore and art direction went. It also had a lot more variety of weaponry, I liked the perks, and the DLC packs were AMAZING in my book. 

 

I hope the companion UI, weapons modding, crafting stations, and Hardcore mode come back in Fallout 4.

[Kage]

So if there's only -one- game I can buy and play you would suggest Fallout 3 GOTY Edition?

[Dravus]

Fallout 3 and Fallout: New Vegas are well worth checking out. They're a little dated but I think they've aged fairly well. The DLC is also very great so if you can snag a special edition that includes it then I'd suggest doing so! I believe Steam offers it all as a bundle for a decent price - especially during special sales.

 

Fallout fans are pretty torn between whether New Vegas or Fallout 3 is the 'better' game. I like both, personally, so I think you can safely go with either.

[Hivernal]

Fantastic games, but I'd suggest not playing them on PS3. Why? I don't want you to get unnecessarily frustrated at the memory leaks, crashes, bugs and glitches plaguing that platform. Hah. Much better to play them on PC.

 

Bethesda don't really optimise their games for PlayStation and I've encountered the same problems in most of their releases. Whilst being made by another developer, NV still uses the same engine as Fallout 3 and so it suffers from the exact same problems. On PS3 - only, mind. Still, when you learn that the console has only 512mb RAM and look at the things some developers have done ... yep!

 

I too hope they bring back Hardcore mode from F: NV, since that was a lot of fun. If I had to suggest one? Fallout: NV Ultimate Edition (it's GotY) but note that it has a LOT of DLC content to wade through.

 

If you are more concerned with lore and backstory in preparation for Fallout 4, then get Fallout 3 GotY. Easy! Have fun whichever you choose!

[Jana]

f a l l o u t t a c t i c s

 

I'm replaying 3 and New Vegas both in celebration/anticipation. If you can only do 1, I'd suggest NV as it's a more polished game. Really though: Why not both? Start with 3.

[Enla]

f a l l o u t t a c t i c s

 

I'm replaying 3 and New Vegas both in celebration/anticipation. If you can only do 1, I'd suggest NV as it's a more polished game. Really though: Why not both? Start with 3.

 

More polished now. I still remember when it was released and people were reporting ALL THE BUGS. @.@ Sadly Obsidian isn't very good for bugs on release, good post release support though. For me however, storywise I'd go with New Vegas. More choices and your skills and attributes actually tend to be made more of use during conversations.

[Tali]

If you're going to play 3, and you own New Vegas as well (There's a Steam sale coming, they'll be going dirt cheap, most like), then I'd recommend looking into this: https://taleoftwowastelands.com/ - It lets you play FO3 through the New Vegas engine, which makes the entire experience a little more pleasant!

 

Aside from that, as many have said before this, Fallout 3 is a great place to start if you're looking forward to 4, but Fallout and Fallout 2 are great games in their own right, and definitely worth poking into.  It's doubtful you'd need to know much, if anything from them, to get the most from 4 however.

[DeletedUser]

The second game is a classic.

 

Yes! Still one of my favourites all these years later. It definitely shows its age though so if the graphics and top down view will really turn you off, then just give 3/NV a go.

[Clover]

I only played 3 and every second was worth it. Some people say that New Vegas is better than 3, but I really loved 3, so I at most I imagine New Vegas to be equally awesome, haha.

 

(Fallout 4 trailer made me very happy in the soul, it must be said).

[Melodia]

I absolutely love Fallout. I played the first on the PC so long ago and then the second one. I played 3 on the PS3 and then New Vegas, all of the add on material as well. I love playing and have that epic open world morality choice aspect. I can be whoever I want to be in the game and that's such a fun element.

 

So psyched for 4 and as it's in Boston, I already recognize familiar locales. Play any and all. And enjoy it unfold for you as you choose to let it. :thumbsup:

[Bopdoot]

I'm kind of bummed that more people are not suggesting you play Fallout 1 and 2.  Fallout 1 is a fairly quick game and it's awesome.  Fallout 2 is longer, and an even better RPG all around.  There's just so much possibility and of course the awesome unforgiving "god I hope I saved recently" moments only older games can offer.

 

Fallout 3 is... "OK".  It's my least favorite in the series tbh.  It just didn't really feel as much like a Fallout game as New Vegas did.  But I agree that Fallout 3 will have much more to do with Fallout 4 than any other item in the series.

 

My suggestion: start with the early Fallouts because they're cheap, pretty quick to play through, and provide an excellent introduction to setting and theme.  Buuuut play them all if you can lol.

[DeletedUser]

I'm kind of bummed that more people are not suggesting you play Fallout 1 and 2.  Fallout 1 is a fairly quick game and it's awesome.  Fallout 2 is longer, and an even better RPG all around.

 

No no, I quite agree. I wasn't actually a big fan of FO3 but FO2 was amazing. In fact, I think I'm going to dig out my old disks and play it again...

[ProvaDiServo]

f a l l o u t t a c t i c s

 

I'm replaying 3 and New Vegas both in celebration/anticipation. If you can only do 1, I'd suggest NV as it's a more polished game. Really though: Why not both? Start with 3.

 

More polished now. I still remember when it was released and people were reporting ALL THE BUGS. @.@ Sadly Obsidian isn't very good for bugs on release, good post release support though. For me however, storywise I'd go with New Vegas. More choices and your skills and attributes actually tend to be made more of use during conversations.

 

Man I'm sure we could make a thread on Bug horror stories alone

[Kage]

Well it's more like, I already have issues alotting time to things other than FFXIV. I spend quite a few hours in it so it's like... I will be super pressed in finding the time to play another game so I might as well try one to see if I will try the others...???

[Aduu Avagnar]

Well it's more like, I already have issues alotting time to things other than FFXIV. I spend quite a few hours in it so it's like... I will be super pressed in finding the time to play another game so I might as well try one to see if I will try the others...???

Which is why I suggest 3. That and New Vegas are likely going to be closer to how 4 plays, and 3 will have ties due to some quests.

 

This is not to say that the others aren't worth a look, they absolutely are, but being pressed for time etc.

[Crisiet]

I definitely recommend 1 and 2 if you find the time because they're wonderful.

 

As an introduction (since you're looking at this because of 4s announcement) I'd say go with FO3 or NV. New Vegas is similar to 3 with a lot of gameplay improvements while I've always felt 3 had a better atmosphere to NV. There are references to past games but you don't need to know what's gone on elsewhere to understand what's going on there. They are, as someone else pointed out, probably closer to how 4 will play.

 

S0ximxe4XtU

 

Edit: New Vegas' DLC is pretty great. Old World Blues had me laughing the entire way through.