Hi there -

I'm not new to Bethesda (Skyrim/Oblivion, etc.) and was wondering if I should purchase Fallout? I've never played or even witnessed anyone playing Fallout, but am a huge RPG / sandbox game fan. However, I tend to enjoy the more medieval/fantasy styles more than any other type. That being said, I've run out of options. Before I purchase a PS4, I'd like to try a couple more games to get me through 2014. For background purposes, the games I have played in the last 5 years include Assassins Creed (most in the series), Oblivion, Skyrim, Dragon Age I and II, Kingdom of Amalur, Just Cause II, even a JRPG / Ni No Kuni. I can't get into the GTA series since GTAIII. For some reason I lose interest after 1 hour of gameplay and the game just irritates me.

Any chance Fallout would hold my interest? If so, which one should I start with? (note: I've got two games in Skyrim going...300 hours+ and played Oblivion for about half that)

Anything I need to be aware of before jumping in? I'm 36, married, no kids. My wife is cool about my video gaming so I can spend a few hours at a time on them with no punishment.

Useful & kind opinions only preferred.

Thanks!

Yep - while its not a fantasy game both Fallout 3 and Fallout: New Vegas are excellent open world rpgs that you should probably give a shot.

While I prefer Fallout: New Vegas in pretty much all respects, Fallout 3 is still great, and is probably the better of the two to introduce you to the series.

I would at least try them. They are probably pretty cheap now, and if you dont like em - youve not lost much.

Edit: With respect to Fallout 1, 2 and tactics. While excellent games, you shouldnt play them with any expectation of them being open world particularly or like Oblivion/Skyrim. Depends what you are looking for.

If you're spending a few hours at a time.. The originals would be perfect. The great thing I find about them is that you can pick them up and engross yourself in the lore and struggles, but still manage short sessions.

The originals are turn-based and isometric though, so they're more based on skills, stats, consequences to actions and the narrative than a pretty fantasy world like TES.

The issue I have found, is that when someone has played Fallout 1, 2 and Tactics or even Fallout: New Vegas, they have a very, very difficult time enjoying Fallout 3 as much as those who have not played them. I would start with Fallout 3 which is the only Bethesda Fallout game. It's more like Skyrim than any of the other games too. New Vegas is still TES-style FPP/TPP perspective, just very different at the same time. Very much improved combat from Fallout 3 as well.

In the order I would suggest, as it is the most likely you will be able to fully enjoy Fallout 3 is:
1. Fallout 3
2. Fallout 1
3. Fallout 2
4. Fallout: Tactics
5. Fallout: New Vegas

The beauty of the originals is that they are PC games from the 90s, so any computer you may have will run them no problem and they take up very little space. Additionally they are cheap and will satisfy spare moments very well.

Now that being said. Fallout 3 is the black sheep of the herd. Like Skyrim it really gutted the good RPG features in the games. It was still a very fun game and many people love the game, myself included. I just prefer the consequences and punishment for poor preparation and bad choices of the originals to the "Ooo piece of candy" gameplay of Fallout 3. --Exploration of the two styles is very different, one is more narrative, factions and ideological exploration and exploration of choices, while the other is exploration of pretty places untouched by people.

If you want a game that's more like TES, you'll probably want Fallout 3. It's a big sandbox with lots of places to explore and lots of enemies kill.

If you're looking for a more classic Fallout experience (civilization rebuilding, lots of connected factions and imo, an excellent story) go with the first two games. If you aren't a fan of isometric gameplay, I'd still recommend giving them a try. They are some of the best RPGs out there to date.
Also, I would highly recommend Fallout New Vegas to a newcomer to the series. It is very true to the first two games, but for those who can't get past the turn-based isometric gameplay, it plays exactly like Fallout 3 except polished with better animations and features (iron sights, special melee attacks, customizable weapons, etc). It is less open than 3, in that you can't immediately go anywhere you want at the start, as some enemies will kick your ass if you tackle them too early.

Imbecile and DemonsBlade - Thanks a lot for the quick and well thought out responses. That's exactly what I was looking for.

Any other RPG suggestions are welcome as well (although that may stray from the thread a bit).

I think I'll go ahead and start with Fallout 3 then.

I assume there were many updates to address bugs/glitches. I've learned to save often and to have multiple saves playing Skyrim. I'll assume that stays true.

Good to know, thanks!

Other possibilities might be The Witcher series, Dark Souls series or Mass Effect series (though the latter is sci-fi and arguably none of them are open world, though Dark Souls comes close. None of them are any less open world than something like Dragon Age though).

I'd start with Fallout 3 for now though!

(Also the New Vegas DLC is great, the Fallout 3 DLC is probably not worth the time unless it comes bundled)

It's good practice for any RPG to save often, even more so with huge RPGs like Fallout and TES. You'll still encounter bugs here and there with Fallout 3 and New Vegas, so you are definitely right in playing multiple saves.

Now based on your comment, "Before I buy a PS4".. This leads me to believe you'll be buying them for PS3? In which case, they're very much so like Skyrim for the PS3 in that they can be a very big pain with bugs. I hope you can enjoy a relatively bug-free experience and that you have a great time with Fallout.

I would checkout some youtube game play to get an idea. There is no medieval, fantasy, or magic in FO.

You are a survivor of a nuclear war. You do hunt gather craft and travel anywhere you want like Skyrim but the stories are no similar at all.

Also if you are on PS3 do some research on PS3 issues playing these games. I've played FO3,NV and Skyrim on PS3 and FONV and Skyrim modded on PC.

Judging by the screenshots and videos I've seen, Fallout 3 may be a little bleak/drab for me. It seems very dull in terms of colors and whatnot. The graphics are nice, but I'm not sure I can get over the overwhelming depressing scenery. I'm used to the more vibrant games I guess. It seems maybe New Vegas would better fit the bill...?...

For $20, it's no great loss either way I suppose...seems low risk.