Deal | Where a role-playing legend began: CRPG classic for just under $2.50 on Steam

Fallout: A Post Nuclear Role Playing Game takes players to post-apocalyptic California in the year 2161. Decades after a nuclear war, little remains of civilization, and players begin – as is typical for the series – in a so-called Vault. These underground bunkers serve as the last bastions of an orderly society and are designed to protect their inhabitants from the hostile world outside. Now, what was bound to happen sooner or later has happened: The water chip is broken and needs to be replaced before the residents die of thirst. And, of course, replacement water chips can only be found on the surface.

In terms of gameplay, the first Fallout already features many of the elements the series is still known for today. Using the S.P.E.C.I.A.L. system, players determine attributes such as Strength, Perception, Intelligence and Charisma, which largely define how they make their way through the wasteland. Resorting to violence is far from the only way to resolve a conflict: Depending on the character, problems can also be handled through persuasion, stealth, theft or other skills.

Combat, on the other hand, works very differently from the modern entries in the series. As soon as trouble breaks out, Fallout switches to a turn-based mode in which movement and attacks consume action points. Players can also target specific body parts – a precursor to the later V.A.T.S. system that should feel quite familiar to modern Fallout fans. Outside of combat, players explore Vaults, ruined cities, settlements and military facilities connected via a world map.

With its compelling story, dark humor, atmospheric world and, above all, considerable freedom of choice, the first Fallout can still keep players hooked today. On the other hand, it is very obvious that the game is now almost 30 years old. Steam players mainly criticize its newcomer-unfriendly opening, the cumbersome interface by modern standards and the problematic companion AI. There are also technical quirks and a high level of difficulty that can severely punish poorly planned character builds. And be warned: Autosaving was not exactly standard practice in 1997. Anyone relying on modern convenience features can quickly find themselves sent quite far back after an unfortunate death.

Despite its dated technology, 94% of more than 25,000 Steam reviews are positive. Metacritic also lists a Metascore of 89 and a User Score of 8.7. Those who want to find out why the Fallout franchise became such a success therefore get an RPG classic that remains highly rated to this day, even if it is unmistakably old-fashioned.

75% off on Steam

A trip back to the origins of the series is particularly affordable right now: Until August 13, Fallout: A Post Nuclear Role Playing Game is 75% off on Steam and costs just $2.49 instead of $9.99. According to SteamDB, this matches its previous all-time low, last reached during the 2026 Summer Sale. On the Steam Deck, the RPG is rated “Playable.”

Disclaimer: Notebookcheck is not responsible for price changes carried out by retailers. The discounted price or deal mentioned in this item was available at the time of writing and may be subject to time restrictions and/or limited unit availability.