View source for Fallout 3

{{short description|2008 video game}}
{{for|the cancelled Black Isle Studios video game|Van Buren (video game){{!}}''Van Buren'' (video game)}}
{{use mdy dates|date=May 2020}}
{{good article}}
{{Infobox video game
| title      = Fallout 3
| image      = Fallout 3 cover art.PNG
| developer  = [[Bethesda Game Studios]]
| publisher  = [[Bethesda Softworks]]
| director   = [[Todd Howard]]
| producer   = {{Unbulleted list|Ashley Cheng|Gavin Carter}}
| designer   = [[Emil Pagliarulo]]
| programmer = {{Unbulleted list|Guy Carver|Steve Meister}}
| artist     = [[Istvan Pely]]
| writer     = [[Emil Pagliarulo]]
| composer   = [[Inon Zur]]
| series     = ''[[Fallout (franchise)|Fallout]]''
| engine     = [[Gamebryo]]
| platforms  = {{Unbulleted list|[[Microsoft Windows]]|[[PlayStation 3]]|[[Xbox 360]]}}
| released   = {{Video game release|NA|October 28, 2008|PAL|October 31, 2008|JP|December 4, 2008}}
| genre      = [[Action role-playing]]
| modes      = [[Single-player]]
}}

'''''Fallout 3''''' is a 2008 [[action role-playing game]] developed by [[Bethesda Game Studios]] and published by [[Bethesda Softworks]]. The third major installment in the [[Fallout (franchise)|''Fallout'' series]], it is the first game to be developed by Bethesda after acquiring the rights to the franchise from [[Interplay Entertainment]]. The game marks a major shift in the series by using [[3D graphics]] and [[Real-time game|real-time combat]], replacing the [[Isometric video game graphics|2D isometric]] graphics and [[Turn-based game|turn-based combat]] of previous installments. It was released worldwide in October 2008 for [[Microsoft Windows]], [[PlayStation 3]], and [[Xbox 360]].

The game is set within a post-apocalyptic open world environment that encompasses a scaled region consisting of the ruins of [[Washington, D.C.]], and much of the countryside to the north and west of it in [[Maryland]] and [[Virginia]], collectively referred to as the Capital Wasteland. [[Downloadable content]] is set in [[Pennsylvania]], pre-War [[Alaska]] and outer space. It takes place within ''Fallout''{{'s}} usual setting of a world that deviated into an alternate timeline thanks to atomic age technology, which eventually led to its devastation by a nuclear apocalypse in the year 2077 (referred to as the Great War), caused by a major international conflict between the United States and China over natural resources. The main story takes place in the year 2277. Players take control of an inhabitant of [[Vault 101]], one of several underground shelters created before the Great War to protect around 1,000 humans from the [[nuclear fallout]], who is forced to venture out into the Capital Wasteland to find their father after he disappears from the Vault under mysterious circumstances. They find themselves seeking to complete their father's work while fighting against the Enclave, the corrupt remnants of the former US government that seeks to use it for their own purposes.

''Fallout 3'' received a number of [[List of Game of the Year awards|Game of the Year]] awards, and is considered one of the [[List of video games considered the best|best video games ever made]]. Critics praised ''Fallout 3''{{'s}} [[Nonlinear gameplay|open-ended gameplay]] and flexible [[Level up (video gaming)|character-leveling system]], and the game shipped almost five million copies in its first week. It received post-launch support, with Bethesda releasing [[Fallout 3 downloadable content|five downloadable add-ons]]. The game was met with controversy upon release in Australia, for the [[recreational drug use]] and the ability to be addicted to alcohol and other drugs; in India, for cultural and religious sentiments over the mutated cattle in the game being called [[Brahmin]], a [[Varna (Hinduism)|varna]] (class) in [[Hinduism]]; and in Japan, where a questline involving the potential detonation of a nuclear bomb in a prominent town was heavily altered. The game was followed by a spin-off, ''[[Fallout: New Vegas]],'' developed by [[Obsidian Entertainment]] in 2010. The fourth major installment in the ''Fallout'' series, ''[[Fallout 4]]'', was released in 2015.

==Gameplay==
''Fallout 3'' is an [[action role-playing game]] that can be played from either a [[First-person (video games)|first-person]] or [[Third-person (video games)|third-person]] perspective.<ref name="EGM Review"/> It is set in the [[Washington metropolitan area]], years after a [[nuclear warfare|nuclear war]] left much of the United States decimated.<ref name="GamesRadar Review"/> The player controls a 19 year old character who grew up in a [[fallout shelter]] called [[Vault 101]].<ref name="GamesRadar Review"/> The goal of the game is to complete a series of [[Quest (video games)|quests]] to find the character's father, who unexpectedly left Vault 101.<ref name="Guide Book">{{cite book|last=Hodgson|first=David S.J.|title=Fallout 3 Game Of The Year Edition Prima Official Game Guide|publisher=[[Prima Games]]|year=2009|isbn=978-0-307-46703-4}}</ref>{{rp|p=57}} In addition to the main quests, the player can participate in optional unrelated quests known as side quests.<ref name="GamesRadar Review"/> ''[[GamesRadar+]]'' critic Andy Kelly estimates there are over 100 hours of content in ''Fallout 3''.<ref name="GamesRadar Review"/>

At the beginning of the game, the player can customize their character's physical appearance by choosing their gender and race.<ref name="GameSpy Preview">{{cite web|last=Nguyen|first=Thierry|url=http://xbox360.gamespy.com/xbox-360/fallout-3/800875p1.html|title=Previews: Fallout 3|website=[[GameSpy]]|pages=1–4|date=July 1, 2007|accessdate=May 15, 2024}}</ref><ref name="Ars Technica">{{cite web|last=Desanto|first=Mark|url=https://arstechnica.com/gaming/2008/10/fallout-3-review/|title=Falling in and out of love with you: Ars reviews Fallout 3|website=[[Ars Technica]]|date=October 29, 2008|accessdate=May 15, 2024}}</ref> They can then allocate points into seven primary [[Attribute (role-playing games)|attributes]]: strength, perception, endurance, charisma, intelligence, agility, and luck.<ref name="Ars Technica"/> These attributes are known as S.P.E.C.I.A.L. stats, and range from 1 to 10.<ref name="Guide Book"/>{{rp|p=4}} Additionally, there are 13 secondary attributes whose point totals are affected by S.P.E.C.I.A.L. stats: barter, big guns, energy weapons, explosives, lockpick, medicine, melee weapons, repair, science, small guns, sneak, speech, and unarmed.<ref name="Guide Book"/>{{rp|p=10}} If the player has a high charisma stat for example, then they will be more proficient with the barter and speech skills at the beginning of the game.<ref name="Guide Book"/>{{rp|p=6}} The player can add more points into skill stats whenever they earn enough [[experience point]]s to [[Experience point#Level-based progression|level up]].<ref name="Ars Technica"/> Experience points can be earned through several methods, such as killing an enemy or completing a quest.<ref name="GameSpy Review"/> When the player reaches a new level, they can select a perk, which is a permanent beneficial upgrade.<ref name="Ars Technica"/> For example, the perk Master Trader reduces the price of items sold by vendors by 25 percent.<ref name="Guide Book"/>{{rp|p=18}}

[[File:Fallout 3 V.A.T.S. Screen.PNG|thumb|right|While in combat, the player can use V.A.T.S. to pause the game and target specific body parts of an enemy.]]
''Fallout 3'' features an [[open world]] map that the player can freely explore.<ref name="IGN Review"/> Locations the player can discover range from small settlements and abandoned buildings, to larger locations like the [[Jefferson Memorial]] and the [[Washington Monument]].<ref name="OXM Interview"/> The player is equipped with a [[wearable computer]] called the [[Pip-Boy|Pip-Boy 3000]].<ref name="Ars Technica"/> The device serves as a [[Menu (computing)|menu]], and allows the player to access items they have acquired, view detailed character statistics and active quests, and look at the map.<ref name="GameSpy Preview"/><ref name="Ars Technica"/> The player can use the Pip-Boy 3000 map to [[fast travel]] to previously discovered locations.<ref name="Guide Book"/>{{rp|p=32}} The player can also use the Pip-Boy 3000 as a radio, and listen to songs from the 1940s and 1950s on makeshift radio broadcasts.<ref name="Ars Technica"/> While exploring, the player can recruit some [[non-playable characters]] as companions, who will accompany the player and assist them in combat.<ref name="Guide Book"/>{{rp|p=38}} There a variety of weapons in the game, including standard guns, [[Directed-energy weapon|energy-based guns]], melee weapons, and explosives.<ref name="Guide Book"/>{{rp|p=33–34}} While in combat, the player can utilize a gameplay mechanic known as V.A.T.S., which pauses the game and allows the player to target specific body parts of an enemy.<ref name="Eurogamer Review"/> V.A.T.S. is dictated by a [[Statistic (role-playing games)|statistic]] known as Action Points.<ref name="Eurogamer Review"/> Each attack while in V.A.T.S. costs Action Points, and when the player runs out of Action Points they must wait a short period of time before they can use it again.<ref name="GamesRadar Review"/>

An important mechanic in ''Fallout 3'' is the player's [[karma]].<ref name="GameSpot Review"/> Whenever the player commits an action that is deemed either good or bad, their karma will change accordingly.<ref name="GameSpot Review"/> For example, if the player provides water to a beggar, their karma increases.<ref name="GameSpot Review"/> Likewise, if the player breaks into a home, their karma decreases.<ref name="GameSpot Review"/> The player's karma affects how other characters perceive them.<ref name="Guide Book"/>{{rp|p=30}} Some companions can only be recruited if the player meets the companion's karmic expectation.<ref name="Guide Book"/>{{rp|p=30}} Some non-recruitable characters will be more accepting of the player depending on their karma level.<ref name="Guide Book"/>{{rp|p=30}} For example, slaver characters will be more accepting to players with negative karma, and provide services that would not be available to players with neutral or positive karma.<ref name="Guide Book"/>{{rp|p=30}}

==Plot==
[[File:Jefferson Memorial At Dusk 1.jpg|thumb|right|The plot of ''Fallout 3'' revolves around a water purifier at the Jefferson Memorial.]]
''Fallout 3'' takes place in the year 2277, 200 years after a nuclear war between the United States and China. Some survivors of the war took refuge in high-tech [[fallout shelter]]s known as Vaults. The player character, nicknamed the Lone Wanderer, grew up in Vault 101, located near [[Washington, D.C.]] After the Lone Wanderer's 19th birthday, their father, a scientist named James, leaves the Vault without explanation. The young vault dweller decides to track down their father and journeys the region in and around Washington, D.C., now known as the Capital Wasteland. Along the way, the Lone Wanderer learns about their father's background from other characters, including residents of the nearby settlement [[Megaton (Fallout 3)|Megaton]], radio DJ Three Dog, and  scientist Madison Li. Before the Lone Wanderer's birth, James and his wife Catherine had been working on Project Purity, in which a [[Water purification|water purifier]] built in the Jefferson Memorial would have purified the irradiated water in the [[Tidal Basin]] and [[Potomac River]]. However, Catherine died during childbirth, and James abandoned the project to raise his child in [[Vault 101]].

The Lone Wanderer finds and rescues James from a [[virtual reality]] program in Vault 112. James reveals that he wanted to revive Project Purity and left Vault 101 to seek the Garden of Eden Creation Kit (G.E.C.K.), a powerful piece of technology intended to assist in rebuilding civilization after a nuclear war. When work on Project Purity resumes, the remnants of the United States government, known as the Enclave, intervene. Its leader, President John Henry Eden, wants to inject the purifier with a deadly virus that will kill any mutated organisms who drink the water, including humans. James sacrifices himself to protect the purifier. In response, the Lone Wanderer enlists the help of the [[Brotherhood of Steel]], a military organization that protects the residents of the Capital Wasteland. The Lone Wanderer finds the G.E.C.K. in Vault 87 but is captured by the Enclave and held in [[Raven Rock Mountain Complex|Raven Rock]]. They escape imprisonment and meet President Eden, who is revealed to be an [[artificial intelligence]] program. Eden gives them a vial containing the virus and asks them to insert it into Project Purity. Afterwards, the Lone Wanderer leaves and optionally causes Eden to self destruct.

Together with the Brotherhood of Steel, the Lone Wanderer retakes the Jefferson Memorial and learns the water purifier needs to be manually activated, or else it will shortly explode. Before James died, he flooded the control room with lethal amounts of radiation. The player is presented with three potential endings: the Lone Wanderer sacrifices themself to initiate Project Purity, optionally inserting the virus into the purifier; the Lone Wanderer instructs a Brotherhood of Steel member or - if the ''Broken Steel'' [[downloadable content]] is installed - a radiation-resistant companion to activate the purifier; or the Lone Wanderer does nothing and lets the purifier blow up.

==Development==
The origins of ''Fallout 3'' date back to the cancellation of ''[[Van Buren (video game)|Van Buren]]'', which was intended to be the third game in the mainline ''Fallout'' series.<ref name="TechRadar Interview"/><ref name="VG247 New Vegas">{{cite web|last=Bailey|first=Kat|url=https://www.vg247.com/the-making-of-fallout-new-vegas-how-obsidians-underrated-sequel-became-a-beloved-classic|title=The Making of Fallout: New Vegas: How Obsidian's Underrated Sequel Became a Beloved Classic|website=[[VG247]]|date=December 31, 2020|accessdate=April 25, 2024|archive-date=April 14, 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240414213631/https://www.vg247.com/the-making-of-fallout-new-vegas-how-obsidians-underrated-sequel-became-a-beloved-classic|url-status=live}}</ref> Under the development of [[Black Isle Studios]], ''Van Buren'' was to be set in [[Arizona]], [[Colorado]], [[Nevada]], and [[Utah]], and would have included a mixture of [[Real-time tactics|real-time]] and [[Turn-based tactics|turn-based]] combat.<ref name="VG247 New Vegas"/><ref name="Retro Gamer">{{cite magazine|last=Dransfield|first=Ian|title=The History of Fallout|magazine=[[Retro Gamer]]|issue=186|year=2018|pages=26–27|issn=1742-3155}}</ref> Black Isle Studios' publisher [[Interplay Entertainment]] was struggling financially, and in December 2003 ''Van Buren'' was cancelled.<ref name="VG247 Black Isle">{{cite web|last=Bailey|first=Kat|url=https://www.vg247.com/the-last-days-of-black-isle-studios|title=The Last Days of Black Isle Studios|website=[[VG247]]|date=November 24, 2017|accessdate=April 25, 2024|archive-date=April 21, 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240421135314/https://www.vg247.com/the-last-days-of-black-isle-studios|url-status=live}}</ref> In 2004, [[Bethesda Softworks]] purchased the rights to develop their own rendition of ''Fallout 3'' from Interplay for $1,175,000 minimum guaranteed [[advance against royalties]].<ref>{{cite web|last=Burnes|first=Andrew|url=https://www.ign.com/articles/2004/10/14/interplay-in-trouble-assets-sold-optioned|title=Interplay In Trouble; Assets Sold & Optioned|website=[[IGN]]|date=October 14, 2004|accessdate=May 7, 2024}}</ref> At the time, Bethesda was known for their work with ''[[The Elder Scrolls]]'' series, but wanted to expand their catalogue with another project.<ref name="Retro Gamer"/> According to developer Joel Burgess, Bethesda's holding company [[ZeniMax Media]] turned down multiple offers from other companies who wanted to work on the game.<ref name="TechRadar Interview">{{cite web|last=Horti|first=Samuel|url=https://www.techradar.com/news/vaulting-ambition-how-fallout-3-changed-the-game|title=Vaulting ambition: Fallout 3 and the making of an RPG classic|website=[[TechRadar]]|date=November 29, 2018|accessdate=May 7, 2024}}</ref> Burgess remarked, "The sense was we had to make our own game."<ref name="TechRadar Interview"/>

Development on ''Fallout 3'' began in late 2004 with a small team of around 10 people, as most of Bethesda's staff was busy working on ''[[The Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion]]''.<ref name="GameSpot X360">{{cite web|last=Thorsen|first=Tor|url=https://www.gamespot.com/articles/fallout-3-360-bound/1100-6236061/|title=Fallout 3 360-bound?|website=[[GameSpot]]|date=May 7, 2007|accessdate=May 7, 2024}}</ref> After the release of ''The Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion'' in 2006, the size of the team drastically increased.<ref name="GameSpot X360"/> Programmer Jean Simonet estimates that when development concluded, there were around 75 team members.<ref name="TechRadar Interview"/> Lead designer and writer [[Emil Pagliarulo]] wrote the majority of the main story early in development, and when the team expanded, he allowed other designers to make rewrites and suggestions.<ref name="TechRadar Interview"/><ref name="Game Developer Interivew">{{cite web|last=Remo|first=Chris|url=https://www.gamedeveloper.com/design/revitalizing-a-heritage-the-writing-of-fallout-3|title=Revitalizing a Heritage: The Writing of Fallout 3|website=[[Game Developer (website)|Game Developer]]|date=September 4, 2008|accessdate=May 28, 2024}}</ref> This process exemplified Bethesda's decision to foster a more collaborative approach and allow developers to voice their opinions on various aspects of the game.<ref name="TechRadar Interview"/><ref name="Making Of">{{cite AV media|title=The Making of Fallout 3|type=Documentary|publisher=[[Bethesda Softworks]]|year=2008}}</ref> Pagliarulo notes this approach differed from the rigid and "unhealthy" development of ''The Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion'', in which the developers had to follow the outline of the original design document regardless of their opinions.<ref name="Making Of"/>

In multiple interviews, Bethesda developers noted the difficulty of working on a game from an established series they had no prior connections to.<ref name="TechRadar Interview"/><ref name="Game Developer Interivew"/><ref name="Making Of"/> Product manager Pete Hines said Bethesda's mindset was to treat ''Fallout 3'' as if they had worked on the original ''Fallout'' games.<ref name="Making Of"/> To this extent, they kept ''Fallout 3'' an in-house production, and did not hire anyone who worked on the original games.<ref name="Eurogamer Interview"/> Bethesda used the first ''[[Fallout (video game)|Fallout]]'' game as a model while designing ''Fallout 3''.<ref name="Game Developer Interivew"/> Pagliarulo favored the oppressive and bleak atmosphere of the first ''Fallout'' game in contrast to the excessive and [[Camp (style)|camp]] dialogue of ''[[Fallout 2]]''.<ref name="Game Developer Interivew"/><ref name="Making Of"/> Pagliarulo wanted to instill a "rawness" to the dialogue, and included occasional profanity.<ref name="Game Developer Interivew"/> Another goal was to instill a sense of moral ambiguity whenever the player made an important decision.<ref name="Eurogamer Interview"/> According to lead producer Gavin Carter, the karma mechanic was designed to let the player know the immediate consequences of their actions, and make the player question whether they made the right choice.<ref name="Eurogamer Interview">{{cite web|last=Walker|first=John|url=https://www.eurogamer.net/fallout-3-interview|title=Fallout 3|website=[[Eurogamer]]|pages=1–3|date=July 4, 2007|accessdate=May 28, 2024}}</ref> The player character's father, James, was created as a moral compass, and would react to the player's previous actions.<ref name="Eurogamer Interview"/>

A common joke among fans and journalists before the release of ''Fallout 3'' was to describe it as "''Oblivion'' but with guns".<ref name="OXM Interview">{{cite magazine|last=Amrich|first=Dan|title=American Wasteland|magazine=[[Official Xbox Magazine]]|date=April 2008|pages=41–46|issue=82|issn=1534-7850}}</ref><ref name="Shacknews Interview">{{cite web|last=Breckon|first=Nick|url=https://www.shacknews.com/article/54505/fallout-3-interview-bethesda-addresses|title=Fallout 3 Interview: Bethesda Addresses DLC, World Design, and 'Oblivion with Guns' Comments|website=[[Shacknews]]|date=August 31, 2008|accessdate=May 29, 2024}}</ref> Due to Bethesda's previous oeuvre with [[high fantasy]] role-playing games, some players questioned whether ''Fallout 3'' would simply be an iteration of ''The Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion''.<ref name="Shacknews Interview"/> Bethesda sought to incorporate elements of [[first-person shooter]] games, while also allowing players to approach combat with a more tactical nuance commonly found in role-playing games.<ref name="Making Of"/> Executive producer Todd Howard wanted the combat to be a mix of real-time and turn-based combat, which led to the creation of the V.A.T.S. system.<ref name="TechRadar Interview"/> Howard emphasized "cinematic" combat, and Simonet accomplished this goal by adding slow-motion effects whenever the player used V.A.T.S.<ref name="TechRadar Interview"/> The inspiration for the slow motion effects while in V.A.T.S. came from the slow motion replays of car crashes from the ''[[Burnout (series)|Burnout]]'' series.<ref name="Making Of"/> Bethesda developers later discussed how they felt the shooting mechanics in ''Fallout 3'' were one of the weaker elements of the game.<ref name="TechRadar Interview"/><ref>{{cite web|last=Hoggins|first=Tom|url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/gaming/what-to-play/fallout-4-interview-bethesda-todd-howard-on-building-the-apocalypse/|title=Fallout 4 interview: Bethesda's Todd Howard on building the apocalypse|website=[[The Daily Telegraph]]|date=July 7, 2015|accessdate=May 29, 2024|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20151017044156/https://www.telegraph.co.uk/gaming/what-to-play/fallout-4-interview-bethesda-todd-howard-on-building-the-apocalypse/|archivedate=October 17, 2015|url-status=live}}</ref> Burgess remarked, "We didn't really have first-person shooter experts, we didn’t really know ... If nothing else, it speaks to some of the ways we were successful that the mediocrity of the shooting didn't matter."<ref name="TechRadar Interview"/>

The original setting for ''Fallout 3'' was the [[West Coast of the United States]], but early in development, the setting changed to the Washington metropolitan area.<ref name="Eurogamer Interview"/> Pagliarulo said this decision stemmed from the adage "write what you know", as Bethesda was based in [[Rockville, Maryland]], a city close to Washington, D.C.<ref name="Making Of"/><ref name="Eurogamer Interview"/> Burgess wanted Washington, D.C. to be a difficult location to explore, with harder enemies and more radiation.<ref name="TechRadar Interview"/> Due to how the [[game engine]] worked, Washington, D.C. needed to be split into separate zones connected by the [[Washington Metro]].<ref name="TechRadar Interview"/> [[Playtest]]ers routinely struggled to navigate the Metro, and complained the increased difficulty made the area less enjoyable.<ref name="TechRadar Interview"/> Bethesda attempted to remove the dividers separating the zones, but Burgess said the initial test did not show promise, and the idea was dropped.<ref name="TechRadar Interview"/> Burgess claims a proper test could have yielded a different result, and describes the entire Washington, D.C. area as "the big mistake I feel I made on [''Fallout 3'']".<ref name="TechRadar Interview"/>

The original size of the ''Fallout 3'' map was comparable to the size of the map in ''The Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion''.<ref name="TechRadar Interview"/> Bethesda incorporated various monuments from the Washington metropolitan area that would serve as visual landmarks to help the player navigate.<ref name="Making Of"/> For example, when the player leaves Vault 101 at the beginning of the game, they see the Washington Monument in the distance, which was meant to help the player determine where Washington, D.C. was in relation to Vault 101.<ref name="Making Of"/> About six months before release, Bethesda felt the map was too small.<ref name="TechRadar Interview"/> Whereas ''The Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion'' was able to hide the distance between locations with mountains and trees, ''Fallout 3''{{'s}} barren wasteland setting meant that players were noticing locations too quickly.<ref name="TechRadar Interview"/> As a result, Bethesda increased the map size by roughly 20 percent, and spread out locations.<ref name="TechRadar Interview"/> Another map related issue brought up late in development was the fact that no one had modeled the [[White House]].<ref name="GamesRadar Video">{{cite web|last=Wood|first=Austin|url=https://www.gamesradar.com/bethesda-blew-up-the-white-house-in-fallout-3-because-it-didnt-have-time-to-finish-it/|title=Bethesda blew up the White House in Fallout 3 because it didn't have time to finish it|website=[[GamesRadar+]]|date=October 24, 2022|accessdate=May 29, 2024}}</ref> As there was not enough time to create another significant location on the map, the decision was made to instead display the remnants of the White House amidst a giant crater, and explain that it was one of the locations targeted by nuclear attacks.<ref name="GamesRadar Video"/> Bethesda spread out enemy encounters so as to not inundate the player with excessive combat.<ref name="Shacknews Interview"/> In an attempt to keep the map unpredictable, they added random encounters the player can witness, such as a group of [[contract killing|contract killers]] attacking a character, or a giant scorpion attacking a robot.<ref name="Shacknews Interview"/>

[[Inon Zur]] composed the score for ''Fallout 3'', which was intended to balance traditional American music like [[blues]] and [[American folk music|folk]], with the powerful cadence of [[Martial music|military music]].<ref name="IGN Zur">{{cite web|last=D.|first=Spence|url=https://www.ign.com/articles/2008/11/03/inon-zur-talks-fallout-3|title=Inon Zur Talks Fallout 3|website=[[IGN]]|date=November 8, 2008|accessdate=December 4, 2016|archivedate=October 31, 2016|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20161031030101/http://www.ign.com/articles/2008/11/03/inon-zur-talks-fallout-3|url-status=live}}</ref> The goal was to showcase American life before the nuclear war while simultaneously emphasizing the theme of militant progress.<ref name="IGN Zur"/> Zur was influenced by post-apocalyptic films like ''[[Mad Max 2]]'' as well as [[Vietnam War]] films like ''[[Full Metal Jacket]]''.<ref name="IGN Zur"/> The music is fully electronic, with occasional [[Sampling (music)|samples]] of live instruments.<ref name="IGN Zur"/> When asked about the music, Zur said, "I wanted to create something that almost [sounds as if it] comes out of a boom box, rather than something that feels symphonic and heroic. Because all of the technology is sort of low-tech in ''Fallout'', then the actual sound is representing and helping to represent this aspect, too."<ref name="IGN Zur"/> In addition to the original soundtrack, ''Fallout 3'' features licensed music that the player can listen to via in-game radio stations.<ref name="Kotaku Music"/> The licensed music includes songs from artists such as [[Roy Brown (blues musician)|Roy Brown]], [[Billie Holiday]], [[Billy Munn]], [[Cole Porter]], and [[Bob Crosby]].<ref name="Kotaku Music">{{cite web|last=Good|first=Owen|url=https://kotaku.com/all-the-songs-of-fallout-3-5081270|title=All the Songs of Fallout 3|website=[[Kotaku]]|date=November 9, 2008|accessdate=August 14, 2011|archivedate=December 28, 2011|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20111228231112/http://kotaku.com/5081270/all-the-songs-of-fallout-3|url-status=live}}</ref>

Over 40,000 lines of dialogue were recorded for ''Fallout 3'', which at the time, set a [[Guinness World Records|Guinness World Record]] for the most lines of dialogue in a single-player role-playing game.<ref>{{cite book|title=Guinness World Records 2011 – Gamer's Edition|year=2010|publisher=[[Guinness World Records]]|isbn=978-1-4053-6546-8|page=147|url=https://archive.org/details/guinnessworldrec0000unse_a4b2/page/147}}</ref> Some celebrity actors were brought on to provide voice work, including [[Liam Neeson]] and [[Malcolm McDowell]].<ref name="Making Of"/> [[Ron Perlman]] reprises his role as the narrator. In an interview with ''[[Edge (magazine)|Edge]]'', [[Blindlight]] manager Lev Chapelsky noted that former [[president of the United States]] [[Bill Clinton]] was jokingly offered a voice role, but the offer was swiftly rejected.<ref>{{cite magazine|last=Wiltshire|first=Alex|url=https://www.edge-online.com/features/interview-lev-chapelsky?page=0%2C2|title=Interview: Lev Chapelsky|magazine=[[Edge (magazine)|Edge]]|date=May 20, 2009|access-date=February 17, 2023|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20090529194849/https://www.edge-online.com/features/interview-lev-chapelsky?page=0%2C2|archive-date=May 29, 2009|url-status=dead}}</ref> Hines later noted that even if Clinton had agreed, Bethesda would have not allowed him to provide voice work.<ref name="Kotaku Clinton">{{cite web|last=Good|first=Owen|url=https://kotaku.com/bethesda-whoa-uh-we-said-nothing-about-bill-clinton-5267111|title=Bethesda: Whoa, Uh, We Said Nothing About Bill Clinton|website=[[Kotaku]]|date=May 23, 2009|accessdate=May 31, 2024}}</ref> Hines said, "In no way, shape or form, did we say is President Clinton is who we want for this role or [tell Blindlight to] go chase him."<ref name="Kotaku Clinton"/>

==Release==
[[File:Fallout 3 booth on Games Convention 2008.jpg|right|thumb|Bethesda's ''Fallout 3'' booth at the 2008 [[Games Convention]]]]
''Fallout 3'' was announced in July 2004, when Bethesda purchased the rights to the game from Interplay.<ref>{{cite web|last=Adams|first=David|url=https://www.ign.com/articles/2004/07/12/bethesda-grabs-fallout-3|title=Bethesda Grabs Fallout 3|website=[[IGN]]|date=July 12, 2004|accessdate=May 25, 2024}}</ref> For years, there was little new information about the game, although Tor Thorsen of ''[[GameSpot]]'' notes that interest in ''Fallout 3'' rose significantly after the critical success of ''The Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion''.<ref name="GameSpot X360"/><ref name="IGN History">{{cite web|last1=McLaughlin|first1=Rus|last2=Kaiser|first2=Rowan|url=https://www.ign.com/articles/2010/07/21/ign-presents-the-history-of-fallout|title=IGN Presents the History of Fallout|website=[[IGN]]|date=July 21, 2010|accessdate=April 26, 2024|archive-date=July 19, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190719000608/https://www.ign.com/articles/2010/07/21/ign-presents-the-history-of-fallout|url-status=live}}</ref> In April 2007, Bethesda published a teaser site for ''Fallout 3'', and in June released the first trailer.<ref>{{cite web|last=Goldstein|first=Hilary|url=https://www.ign.com/articles/2007/04/18/fallout-3-surfaces|title=Fallout 3 Surfaces|website=[[IGN]]|date=April 18, 2007|accessdate=May 26, 2024}}</ref><ref name="GameSpy Trailer"/> The trailer zooms out from inside a bus to show the ruins of Washington, D.C., accompanied by the song "[[I Don't Want to Set the World on Fire]]" by [[the Ink Spots]].<ref name="GameSpy Trailer">{{cite web|last=Rausch|first=Allen|url=http://pc.gamespy.com/pc/fallout-3/794187p1.html|title=Fallout 3 Trailer Released|website=[[GameSpy]]|date=June 5, 2007|accessdate=July 11, 2007|archivedate=January 5, 2012|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20120105105543/http://pc.gamespy.com/pc/fallout-3/794187p1.html|url-status=live}}</ref> To promote the game, Bethesda partnered with [[American Cinematheque]] and ''[[Geek Monthly]]'' to hold a [[film festival]] titled ''A Post-Apocalyptic Film Festival Presented by Fallout 3''.<ref name="Kotaku Films"/> The festival showcased six post-apocalyptic films: ''[[12 Monkeys]]'', ''[[A Boy and His Dog (1975 film)|A Boy and His Dog]]'', ''[[Damnation Alley (film)|Damnation Alley]]'', ''[[The Last Man on Earth (1964 film)|The Last Man on Earth]]'', ''[[The Omega Man]]'', and ''[[Wizards (film)|Wizards]]''.<ref name="Kotaku Films">{{cite web|last=Fahey|first=Mike|url=https://kotaku.com/a-post-apocalytic-film-festival-from-fallout-3-5024197|title=A Post-Apocalytic Film Festival From Fallout 3|website=[[Kotaku]]|date=July 11, 2008|accessdate=May 25, 2024}}</ref> The game had a marketing budget of $13 million.<ref>{{cite web|first=Susanne|last=Ault|url=https://go.gale.com/ps/i.do?p=GPS&u=wikipedia&id=GALE%7CA183181195&v=2.1&it=r&sid=bookmark-GPS&asid=9d9e2f98|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20241216095442/https://go.gale.com/ps/i.do?p=GPS&u=wikipedia&id=GALE%7CA183181195&v=2.1&it=r&sid=bookmark-GPS&asid=9d9e2f98|title=Retailers look to boost game biz|website=[[Video Business]]|archivedate=December 16, 2024|date=August 18, 2008|accessdate=June 16, 2025|via=[[Gale Research]]|url-status=live}}</ref>

''Fallout 3'' was released for [[Microsoft Windows]], [[PlayStation 3]], and [[Xbox 360]] on October 28, 2008 in North America, October 30 in Europe and Australia, and December 4 in Japan.<ref>{{cite web|last=McElroy|first=Justin|author-link=Justin McElroy|url=https://www.engadget.com/2008-02-18-fallout-3-to-get-simultaneous-release-on-ps3-xbox-360-pc.html|title=Fallout 3 to get simultaneous release on PS3, Xbox 360, PC|website=[[Joystiq]]|date=February 18, 2008|accessdate=June 4, 2024}}</ref><ref name="GameSpot Sales">{{cite web|last=Sinclair|first=Brendan|url=https://www.gamespot.com/articles/fallout-3-ships-47-million-in-first-week/1100-6200678/|title=Fallout 3 ships 4.7 million in first week|website=[[GameSpot]]|date=November 10, 2008|accessdate=May 25, 2024}}</ref> In its first week of release, ''Fallout 3'' had sold 4.7 million copies worldwide, and grossed $300 million.<ref name="GameSpot Sales"/> ''Fallout 3'' outsold every previous ''Fallout'' game combined, and sales were 57% stronger than ''The Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion'' in its first week of release.<ref>{{cite web|last=Martin|first=Matt|url=https://www.gamesindustry.biz/fallout-3-outsells-all-previous-titles-in-the-series-combined|title=Fallout 3 outsells all previous titles in the series combined|website=[[Gameindustry.biz]]|date=November 4, 2008|accessdate=May 26, 2024}}</ref> The market research firm Electronic Entertainment Design and Research estimated that by 2015, the game had sold 12.4 million copies worldwide.<ref>{{cite web|last=Kollar|first=Philip|url=https://www.polygon.com/2015/11/10/9673936/elder-scrolls-bigger-than-fallout-sales-data-report|title=Fallout 4 could be a bigger hit than Skyrim|website=[[Polygon (website)|Polygon]]|date=November 10, 2015|accessdate=November 13, 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151113201845/http://www.polygon.com/2015/11/10/9673936/elder-scrolls-bigger-than-fallout-sales-data-report|archive-date=November 13, 2015|url-status=live}}</ref>

Due to its content, some versions of ''Fallout 3'' were subject to censorship.<ref name="Ars Technica Censor"/> The initial Australian version was refused classification by the [[Australian Classification Board]] (ACB) due to its realistic depiction of drug use.<ref>{{cite web|last=Plunkett|first=Luke|url=https://kotaku.com/heres-why-fallout-3-was-banned-in-australia-5023636|title=Here's Why Fallout 3 Was 'Banned' In Australia|website=[[Kotaku]]|date=July 10, 2008|accessdate=May 26, 2024}}</ref> As it is illegal to distribute or purchase an Australian game without an ACB classification, Bethesda replaced all instances of the drug [[morphine]] with a generic drug, and removed the drug injection animation.<ref name="Shacknews Censor">{{cite web|last=Ellison|first=Blake|url=https://www.shacknews.com/article/54651/fallout-3-censorship-goes-global|title=Fallout 3 Censorship Goes Global|website=[[Shacknews]]|date=September 9, 2008|accessdate=May 26, 2024}}</ref><ref>{{cite magazine|last=Keiser|first=Joe|url=http://www.edge-online.com/news/censors-force-fallout-3-changes|title=Censors Force Fallout 3 Changes|magazine=[[Edge (magazine)|Edge]]|date=September 9, 2008|accessdate=May 26, 2024|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20120629124718/http://www.edge-online.com/news/censors-force-fallout-3-changes|archivedate=June 29, 2012|url-status=dead}}</ref> Bethesda further altered every version of ''Fallout 3'' to accommodate for these changes.<ref name="Shacknews Censor"/> Another version of the game subject to censorship was the Japanese version, due to its depiction of nuclear weaponry.<ref name="Ars Technica Censor">{{cite web|last=Webster|first=Andrew|url=https://arstechnica.com/gaming/2008/11/fallout-3-censored-in-japan-quest-removed/|title=Fallout 3 censored in Japan, quest removed|website=[[Ars Technica]]|date=November 11, 2008|accessdate=May 26, 2024}}</ref> A quest that allowed the player to either defuse or detonate a nuclear warhead was altered so that it was impossible to detonate it, and the name of a weapon was changed.<ref name="Ars Technica Censor"/> Excess blood and gore were removed from the German version by the [[Federal Department for Media Harmful to Young Persons]],<ref>{{cite web|last=Nunneley-Jackson|first=Stephany|url=https://www.vg247.com/fallout-3-ban-lift-in-germany-leads-to-speculation-of-possible-hd-re-release|title=Fallout 3 ban lift in Germany leads to speculation of possible HD re-release|website=[[VG247]]|date=February 16, 2016|accessdate=May 26, 2024}}</ref> and Microsoft chose not to release ''Fallout 3'' in India due to perceived "cultural sensitivities".<ref name="Kotaku India"/>{{efn-ua|One journalist speculated the decision to not release ''Fallout 3'' in India was due to the game's depiction of [[American Brahman|Brahman]] cattle. In Hinduism, cows are revered, and the similarly named concepts of ''[[Brahman]]'' and [[Brahmin]] are of great importance in Hindu society.<ref name="Kotaku India">{{cite web|last=Good|first=Owen|url=https://kotaku.com/is-this-why-fallout-3-wont-be-released-in-india-5068797|title=Is This Why Fallout 3 Won't Be Released in India?|website=[[Kotaku]]|date=October 25, 2008|accessdate=May 26, 2024}}</ref>}}

In 2023, a leaked [[financial forecast]] presentation indicated that Bethesda was working on a [[Video game remake|remaster]] of ''Fallout 3''.<ref name="PC Gamer Remaster"/> The presentation stated that the remaster was scheduled for a 2024 release, although ''[[PC Gamer]]'' notes that the release projection predated the [[COVID-19 pandemic]], which has likely delayed development.<ref name="PC Gamer Remaster">{{cite web|last=Fenlon|first=Wes|url=https://www.pcgamer.com/games/rpg/if-youre-excited-to-dive-back-into-fallout-after-the-tv-show-maybe-hold-off-on-fallout-3-for-now/|title=If you're excited to dive back into Fallout after the TV show, maybe hold off on Fallout 3 for now|website=[[PC Gamer]]|date=April 14, 2024|accessdate=June 2, 2024}}</ref>

===Downloadable content===
{{main|Fallout 3 downloadable content}}
''Fallout 3'' was supported with five [[downloadable content]] (DLC) add-ons.<ref name="Kotaku DLC">{{cite web|last=Totilo|first=Stephen|url=https://kotaku.com/howard-five-was-enough-for-fallout-3-dlc-5339034|title=Howard: Five Was Enough For Fallout 3 DLC|website=[[Kotaku]]|date=August 17, 2009|accessdate=May 31, 2024}}</ref> The first DLC was ''Operation: Anchorage'', which takes place inside a virtual reality simulation that depicts a battle between United States and Chinese soldiers in [[Anchorage, Alaska]].<ref>{{cite web|last1=Brudvig|first1=Erik|last2=Moriarty|first2=Colin|url=https://www.ign.com/articles/2009/10/05/fallout-3-operation-anchorage-review|title=Fallout 3: Operation: Anchorage Review|website=[[IGN]]|date=October 5, 2009|accessdate=May 31, 2024}}</ref> The second DLC was ''The Pitt''.<ref name="Eurogamer Pitt"/> Set in [[Pittsburgh]], the player infiltrates a slaver compound, and looks for a cure for the mutant disease affecting the slave population.<ref name="Eurogamer Pitt">{{cite web|last=Reed|first=Kristan|url=https://www.eurogamer.net/fallout-3-the-pitt-review|title=Fallout 3: The Pitt|website=[[Eurogamer]]|pages=1–2|date=March 26, 2009|accessdate=May 31, 2024}}</ref> The third DLC, ''Broken Steel'', takes place immediately after the events of main story, and revolves around the Brother of Steel's campaign to eliminate the remaining Enclave soldiers.<ref>{{cite web|last=Thompson|first=Michael|url=https://arstechnica.com/gaming/2009/05/the-third-times-the-charm-broken-steel-reviewed/|title=Third time's the charm: Fallout 3's Broken Steel reviewed|website=[[Ars Technica]]|date=May 6, 2009|accessdate=May 31, 2024}}</ref> The fourth DLC, ''Point Lookout'', is set in [[Point Lookout State Park]], where the player investigates the disappearance of a young girl.<ref name="IGN Point Lookout">{{cite web|last=Brudvig|first=Erik|url=https://www.ign.com/articles/2009/05/19/aliens-invade-fallout-3|title=Aliens Invade Fallout 3|website=[[IGN]]|date=May 19, 2009|accessdate=May 31, 2024}}</ref> In the final DLC, ''Mothership Zeta'', the player is [[Alien abduction|abducted by aliens]], and must escape from a [[Unidentified flying object|UFO]].<ref name="IGN Point Lookout"/>

Development on the DLC add-ons began roughly two months before ''Fallout 3''{{'s}} release.<ref name="Kotaku DLC"/> Only three add-ons were initially planned, but due to player feedback the number was increased to five.<ref name="Kotaku DLC"/> Initially, the DLC add-ons were not released for the PlayStation 3 version.<ref name="Edge Exclusivity"/> [[Lazard Capital Markets]] analyst Colin Sebastian speculated that this was likely the result of a deal with Bethesda by [[Sony]]'s competitor, [[Microsoft]].<ref name="Edge Exclusivity">{{cite magazine|last=Graft|first=Kris|url=http://www.edge-online.com/news/bethesda-mum-fallout-3-dlc-exclusivity-deal|title=Bethesda Mum on Fallout 3 DLC Exclusivity Deal|magazine=[[Edge (magazine)|Edge]]|date=July 21, 2008|accessdate=May 31, 2024|archiveurl=https://archive.today/20120911075337/http://www.next-gen.biz/news/bethesda-mum-fallout-3-dlc-exclusivity-deal#selection-731.0-731.46|archivedate=September 11, 2012|url-status=dead}}</ref> Howard offered a different explanation, and said it was due to more Xbox 360 owners paying for ''The Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion'' DLC than PlayStation 3 owners.<ref name="IGN Point Lookout"/> By 2009, all five add-ons were made available to PlayStation 3 owners.<ref name="IGN Point Lookout"/>

==Reception==
===Reviews===
{{Video game reviews
| title = ''Fallout 3''
|MC = 91/100 <small>(PC)</small><ref name="Metacritic PC">{{cite web|url=https://www.metacritic.com/game/fallout-3/critic-reviews/?platform=pc|title=PC Critic Reviews|website=[[Metacritic]]|date=n.d.|accessdate=May 25, 2024}}</ref><br />90/100 <small>(PS3)</small><ref name="Metacritic PS3">{{cite web|url=https://www.metacritic.com/game/fallout-3/critic-reviews/?platform=playstation-3|title=PlayStation 3 Critic Reviews|website=[[Metacritic]]|date=n.d.|accessdate=May 25, 2024}}</ref><br />93/100 <small>(X360)</small><ref name="Metacritic X360">{{cite web|url=https://www.metacritic.com/game/fallout-3/critic-reviews/?platform=xbox-360|title=Xbox 360 Critic Reviews|website=[[Metacritic]]|date=n.d.|accessdate=May 25, 2024}}</ref>
|Edge = 7/10<ref name="Edge Review">{{cite magazine|author=Anon.|url=http://www.edge-online.com/reviews/edge-review-fallout-3|title=Fallout 3 Review|magazine=[[Edge (magazine)|Edge]]|date=November 28, 2008|accessdate=July 31, 2009|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20120803035505/http://www.edge-online.com:80/reviews/edge-review-fallout-3|archivedate=August 3, 2012|url-status=dead}}</ref>
|EGM = A, B+, A+<ref name="EGM Review">{{cite magazine|last1=Linn|first1=Demian|last2=Nguyen|first2=Thierry|last3=Kollar|first3=Philip|date=December 2008|title=Fallout 3|magazine=[[Electronic Gaming Monthly]]|issue=235|page=69}}</ref>{{efn-ua|''Electronic Gaming Monthly'' would sometimes have three critics review a game, and display the individual ratings from each critic. Demian Linn gave an A score, Theirry Nguyen game a B+ score, and Philip Kollar gave an A+ score.<ref name="EGM Review"/>}}
|EuroG = 10/10<ref name="Eurogamer Review">{{cite web|last=Reed|first=Kristan|url=https://www.eurogamer.net/fallout-3-review|title=Fallout 3|website=[[Eurogamer]]|pages=1–2|date=October 28, 2008|accessdate=October 28, 2008|archive-date=February 9, 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120209225934/http://www.eurogamer.net/articles/fallout-3-review|url-status=live}}</ref>
|GI = 9.5/10<ref name="Game Informer Review">{{cite magazine|last=Bertz|first=Matt|url=https://www.gameinformer.com/games/fallout_3/b/ps3/archive/2009/09/22/review.aspx|title=Fallout 3 Review|magazine=[[Game Informer]]|date=September 22, 2009|access-date=April 21, 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161220125025/http://www.gameinformer.com/games/fallout_3/b/xbox360/archive/2009/09/23/review.aspx|archive-date=December 20, 2016|url-status=live}}</ref>
|GRadar = 4.5/5<ref name="GamesRadar Review">{{cite web|last=Kelly|first=Andy|url=https://www.gamesradar.com/fallout-3-review/|title=Fallout 3 review|website=[[GamesRadar+]]|date=October 28, 2008|accessdate=May 24, 2024}}</ref>
|GSpot = 9/10<ref name="GameSpot Review">{{cite web|last=VanOrd|first=Kevin|url=https://www.gamespot.com/reviews/fallout-3-review/1900-6200093/|title=Fallout 3 Review|website=[[GameSpot]]|date=October 28, 2008|accessdate=November 11, 2009|archive-date=February 19, 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120219143613/http://www.gamespot.com/fallout-3/reviews/fallout-3-review-6200089/|url-status=live }}</ref>
|GSpy = 5/5<ref name="GameSpy Review">{{cite web|url=http://au.xbox360.gamespy.com/xbox-360/fallout-3/924342p1.html |title=Fallout 3 Review |date=October 27, 2008 |access-date=October 28, 2008 |last=Tuttle |first=Will |publisher=[[GameSpy]] |archive-date=April 1, 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120401001856/http://au.xbox360.gamespy.com/xbox-360/fallout-3/924342p1.html |url-status=live }}</ref>
|IGN = 9.6/10<ref name="IGN Review">{{cite web|last=Brudvig|first=Erik|url=https://www.ign.com/articles/2008/10/28/fallout-3-review|title=Fallout 3 Review|date=October 27, 2008|website=[[IGN]]|accessdate=June 23, 2009|archive-date=January 17, 2012|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20120117215007/http://xbox360.ign.com/articles/924/924165p1.html|url-status=live}}</ref>
|OXM = 10/10<ref name="OXM Review">{{cite web|last=Curthoys|first=Paul|url=http://www.oxmonline.com/article/reviews/xbox-360/a-f/fallout-3|title=Fallout 3|magazine=[[Official Xbox Magazine|Official Xbox Magazine US]]|pages=1–4|date=October 28, 2008|accessdate=October 28, 2008|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20090126075121/http://oxmonline.com/article/reviews/xbox-360/a-f/fallout-3|archivedate=January 26, 2009|url-status=dead}}</ref>
|PCGUS = 91/100<ref name="PC Gamer Review">{{cite magazine|last=Janicki|first=Stefan|title=Fallout 3|magazine=[[PC Gamer]]|date=December 2008|issue=182|pages=54–56|issn=1080-4471}}</ref>
}}

''Fallout 3'' was well received by critics.<ref name="IGN History"/> On the [[review aggregator]] website [[Metacritic]], the Microsoft Windows version of ''Fallout 3'' was assigned the game a weighted average critic score of 91/100, the PlayStation 3 version a 90/100, and the Xbox 360 version a 93/100.<ref name="Metacritic PC"/><ref name="Metacritic PS3"/><ref name="Metacritic X360"/> The Xbox 360 version is tied with ''[[Braid (video game)|Braid]]'', ''[[Gears of War 2]]'', and ''[[Super Smash Bros. Brawl]]'' as the fourth highest rated game from 2008 on Metacritic.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.metacritic.com/browse/game/all/all/2008/metascore/|title=Best Games|website=[[Metacritic]]|accessdate=June 20, 2024}}</ref>

''[[1UP.com]]''{{'}}s Demian Linn praised its open-ended gameplay and flexible character-leveling system. While the V.A.T.S. system was called fun, enemy encounters were said to suffer from a lack of precision in real-time combat and little variety in enemy types. The review concluded, ''Fallout 3'' is a "hugely ambitious game that doesn't come around very often."<ref name="1UP.com review">{{cite web|url=http://www.1up.com/reviews/fallout-3|title=Fallout 3 Review|first=Demian|last=Linn|website=[[1UP.com]]|date=October 27, 2008|access-date=October 28, 2008|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120119161411/http://www.1up.com/reviews/fallout-3|archive-date=January 19, 2012}}</ref> ''[[IGN]]'' editor Erik Brudvig praised the game's "minimalist" sound design, observing how "you might find yourself with nothing but the sound of wind rustling through decaying trees and blowing dust across the barren plains ... ''Fallout 3'' proves that less can be more." The review noted that the "unusual amount of realism" combined with the "endless conversation permutations" produces "one of the most truly interactive experiences of the generation."<ref name="IGN Review"/> In a review of the game for ''[[Kotaku]]'', Mike Fahey commented: "While [[Inon Zur]]'s score is filled with epic goodness, the real stars of ''Fallout 3''{{'}}s music are the vintage songs from the 1940s."<ref name=kotaku>{{cite web |title=Fallout 3 Review: Wasting Away Again In Radiationville |date=October 29, 2008 |first=Mike |last=Fahey |website=Kotaku |url=http://kotaku.com/5070394/fallout-3-review-wasting-away-again-in-radiationville |access-date=August 14, 2011 |archive-date=January 1, 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120101203810/http://kotaku.com/5070394/fallout-3-review-wasting-away-again-in-radiationville |url-status=live }}</ref>

[[Tim Cain]], ''[[Fallout (video game)|Fallout]]'' and ''[[Fallout 2]]'' [[game director]], praised the art direction and the attention to details but did not like the way the endings were not enough constructed around player's actions and decisions.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.pcgamer.com/fallout-1-and-2-dev-on-storytelling-and-fallout-3-vs-new-vegas/|title=Fallout 1 and 2 dev on storytelling and Fallout 3 vs New Vegas|date=September 5, 2012|access-date=December 4, 2012|website=PCGamer|archive-date=February 21, 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150221134956/http://www.pcgamer.com/fallout-1-and-2-dev-on-storytelling-and-fallout-3-vs-new-vegas/|url-status=live}}</ref> He was also critical of how ''Fallout 3'' recycled plot elements from the first two games, such as Super Mutants and the Enclave, saying that if his company, [[Troika Games]], had acquired the license, he would have come up with a completely original story for the East coast. [[Chris Avellone]], ''[[Fallout 2]]''{{'}}s main writer, described the game as having "enough options and tools at {{interp|his|orig=my}} disposal to insure {{interp|he|orig=I}} was having fun no matter what the challenges", praising the immersion in ''Fallout''{{'}}s world, the success in carrying on the legacy of the previous two games, and the fulfilling open-world component; he criticized the writing of some characters and some of gameplay's choices in balancing the skills of the [[player character]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://forums.obsidian.net/index.php?s=7e77e1ace8b46d36dbef75a7bdb36984&automodule=blog&blogid=1&showentry=127|title=Fallout Fan Question|website=obsidian.net|date=February 19, 2010|access-date=December 4, 2016|archive-date=October 31, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161031025423/http://forums.obsidian.net/index.php?s=7e77e1ace8b46d36dbef75a7bdb36984&automodule=blog&blogid=1&showentry=127|url-status=live}}</ref> Will Tuttle of ''[[GameSpy]]'' commended the game for its "engaging storyline, impeccable presentation, and hundreds of hours of addictive gameplay."<ref>{{cite web|url=http://uk.xbox360.gamespy.com/xbox-360/fallout-3/924342p3.html|title=Fallout 3|publisher=[[GameSpy]]|date=October 27, 2008|access-date=September 4, 2011|archive-date=January 5, 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120105155302/http://uk.xbox360.gamespy.com/xbox-360/fallout-3/924342p3.html|url-status=live}}</ref> Although ''[[Edge (magazine)|Edge]]'' awarded the game 7 out of 10, in a later anniversary issue it placed the game 37th in a "100 best games to play today" list, saying "''Fallout 3'' empowers, engages and rewards to extents that few games have ever achieved."<ref name="Edge list">{{cite magazine|url=http://www.next-gen.biz/features/100-best-games-play-today|title=100 Best Games to Play Today|magazine=[[Edge (magazine)|Edge Online]]|date=September 3, 2009|access-date=May 9, 2009|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120325194117/http://www.edge-online.com/features/100-best-games-play-today|archive-date=March 25, 2012}}</ref>

Some criticisms concerned the bugs in regards to the physics and crashes, some of which broke quests and prevented progression.<ref name="IGN Review"/> The AI and stiff character animations are another common point of criticism,<ref name="Shacknews review">{{cite web |url=http://www.shacknews.com/article/55595/fallout-3-review-an-old |title=Fallout 3 Review: An Old PC Game at Heart |publisher=[[Shacknews]] |first=Nick |last=Breckon |date=October 27, 2008 |access-date=November 11, 2009 |archive-date=March 2, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210302143746/https://www.shacknews.com/article/55595/fallout-3-review-an-old |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.atomicgamer.com/articles/672/fallout-3-review |last=Buckland |first=Jeff |title=Fallout 3 Review |publisher=AtomicGamer |date=October 29, 2008 |access-date=November 11, 2009 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100106021334/http://www.atomicgamer.com/articles/672/fallout-3-review |archive-date=January 6, 2010  }}</ref><ref name="PSM3 review">Kelly, Andy. "Fallout 3 Review". ''PlayStation Magazine 3'' (107). October 2008.</ref> as is the ending.<ref name="Shacknews review"/><ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.giantbomb.com/fallout-3/61-20504/reviews/ |last=Gerstmann |first=Jeff |title=Fallout 3 Review |publisher=[[Giant Bomb]] |date=November 27, 2008 |access-date=November 11, 2009 |archive-date=February 8, 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130208025023/http://www.giantbomb.com/fallout-3/61-20504/reviews/ |url-status=live }}</ref> ''Edge'' stated that "the game is cumbersome in design and frequently incompetent in the details of execution", taking particular issue with the nakedness of the [[HUD (video gaming)|HUD]], the clarity of the menu interface, and that the smaller problems are carried over from ''[[The Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion|Oblivion]]''. ''Edge'' liked the central story but said "the writing isn't quite as consistent as the ideas that underpin" and that the "voice-acting is even less reliable."<ref name="Edge Review"/>

===Fandom response===
{{quote box|width=30%|align=right|quote=It's not a ''Fallout'' game. It's not even a game inspired by ''Fallout'', as I had hoped. It's a game that contains a loose assortment of familiar ''Fallout'' concepts and names ... Electricity, pre-war electronic equipment, powered and still working computers (just think about that for a second), working cola & snack machines, weapons, ammo, scrap metal (needed by many), and even unlooted first aid boxes are everywhere.|source=&mdash;Vince D. Weller, long-time ''No Mutants Allowed'' member, former RPG news site director, and lead developer of ''[[The Age of Decadence]]''<ref name="destructoid_shutup"/><ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.rockpapershotgun.com/2008/02/01/against-design-decadence-vince-d-weller/ |title=Against RPG Decadence: Vince D. Weller Interview |first1=Kieron |last1=Gillen |date=February 1, 2008 |website=[[Rock, Paper, Shotgun]]|access-date=December 21, 2015 |archive-date=June 12, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180612162635/https://www.rockpapershotgun.com/2008/02/01/against-design-decadence-vince-d-weller/ |url-status=live }}</ref>|}}

Not all fans were happy with the direction the ''Fallout'' series was taken in after its acquisition by Bethesda.<ref name="Fallout Fans">{{cite web|last=MacDonald|first=Keza|url=https://www.eurogamer.net/fallout-retrospective-article|title=Fallout Retrospective|website=[[Eurogamer]]|page=1|date=October 25, 2011|accessdate=June 20, 2024|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20240216085119/https://www.eurogamer.net/fallout-retrospective-article|archivedate=February 16, 2024|url-status=live}}</ref> Notorious for their support of the series' first two games, ''[[Fallout (video game)|Fallout]]'' and ''[[Fallout 2]]'', members centered on one of the oldest ''Fallout'' [[fansite]]s, ''No Mutants Allowed'', have criticized departures from the original games' stories, gameplay mechanics and setting.<ref name="escapist_fringe">{{cite web|last=Blancato|first=Joe|url=http://www.escapistmagazine.com/articles/view/video-games/issues/issue_102/565-Gaming-s-Fringe-Cults.2|title=Gaming's Fringe Cults|date=June 19, 2007|website=[[The Escapist (magazine)|The Escapist]]|accessdate=December 20, 2015|archive-date=January 7, 2019|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20190107014659/http://www.escapistmagazine.com/articles/view/video-games/issues/issue_102/565-Gaming-s-Fringe-Cults.2|url-status=dead }}</ref><ref name="kotaku_relent"/> Criticisms include the prevalence of unspoiled food after 200 years, the survival of wood-framed dwellings following a [[Nuclear explosion|nuclear blast]], and the ubiquity of Super Mutants at early levels in the game.<ref name="kotaku_relent"/> Also criticized are the quality of the game's writing, its relative lack of [[verisimilitude]], the switch to a first-person action game format, and the level of reactiveness of the surrounding game world to player actions.<ref name="kotaku_relent">{{cite web |url=http://kotaku.com/the-relentless-champions-of-classic-fallout-1715984448 |title=The Relentless Champions Of Classic Fallout |last1=Winkie |first1=Luke |date=September 29, 2015 |website=[[Kotaku]]|access-date=December 20, 2015 |archive-date=December 13, 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151213133626/http://kotaku.com/the-relentless-champions-of-classic-fallout-1715984448 |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.rockpapershotgun.com/2008/01/08/games-for-2008-fallout-3/ |title=Games for 2008: Fallout 3 |last1=Gillen |first1=Kieron |date=January 8, 2008 |website=[[Rock, Paper, Shotgun]] |access-date=December 20, 2015 |archive-date=December 22, 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151222123916/http://www.rockpapershotgun.com/2008/01/08/games-for-2008-fallout-3/ |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.usgamer.net/articles/fallout-4-for-pc-ps4-xbox-one |title=Vault-111 Opens in Boston: Fallout 4 is Coming to PC, PS4, and Xbox One |last1=Williams |first1=Mike |date=June 3, 2015 |website=US Gamer|access-date=December 21, 2015 |archive-date=September 5, 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170905184803/http://www.usgamer.net/articles/fallout-4-for-pc-ps4-xbox-one |url-status=dead }}</ref> In response, [[James Stephanie Sterling]] of ''[[Destructoid]]'' called fan groups like ''No Mutants Allowed'' "selfish" and "arrogant", stating that a new audience deserves a chance to play a ''Fallout'' game; and that if the series had stayed the way it was back in 1997, new titles would never have been made and brought to market.<ref name="destructoid_shutup">{{cite web |url=http://www.destructoid.com/videogame-fans-need-to-shut-up-about-everything-164476.phtml |title=Videogame 'fans' need to shut up about everything |last1=Sterling |first1=Jim |date=February 20, 2010 |website=[[Destructoid]]|access-date=December 20, 2015 |archive-date=December 22, 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151222142227/http://www.destructoid.com/videogame-fans-need-to-shut-up-about-everything-164476.phtml |url-status=live }}</ref> Luke Winkie of ''[[Kotaku]]'' tempers these sentiments, saying that it is a matter of ownership; and that in the case of ''Fallout 3'', hardcore fans of the original series witnessed their favorite games become transformed into something else.<ref name="kotaku_relent"/>

===Awards===
After its release, ''Fallout 3'' won numerous awards from gaming journalists and websites.<ref>{{cite web|last=McDonald|first=Glenn|url=https://www.npr.org/2009/01/21/99639234/fallout-3-the-art-of-the-game|title='Fallout 3': The Art Of The Game|website=[[NPR]]|date=January 21, 2009|accessdate=June 3, 2024}}</ref> It was awarded Game of the Year by ''[[Gamasutra]]'', ''[[GamesRadar+]]'', GameSpy, ''IGN'', and ''[[UGO Networks]]''.{{efn-ua|Attributed to multiple sources:
*''Gamasutra''<ref>{{cite web|author=Anon.|url=https://www.gamedeveloper.com/game-platforms/gamasutra-s-best-of-2008-top-10-games-of-the-year|title=Gamasutra's Best Of 2008: Top 10 Games Of The Year|website=[[Game Developer (website)|Game Developer]]|date=December 23, 2008|access-date=February 18, 2024|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20240219044712/https://www.gamedeveloper.com/game-platforms/gamasutra-s-best-of-2008-top-10-games-of-the-year|archivedate=February 19, 2024|url-status=live}}</ref>
*''GamesRadar+''<ref>{{cite web|author=Anon.|url=https://www.gamesradar.com/gamesradars-officially-annual-platinum-chalice-awards-2008/6/|title=GamesRadar's Officially Annual Platinum Chalice Awards 2008|date=December 19, 2008|website=[[GamesRadar+]]|access-date=November 11, 2009|page=6|archive-date=September 17, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210917191641/https://www.gamesradar.com/gamesradars-officially-annual-platinum-chalice-awards-2008/6/|url-status=live}}</ref>
*GameSpy<ref>{{cite web|author=Anon.|url=http://goty.gamespy.com/2008/overall/10.html|title=GameSpy's Game of the Year|website=[[GameSpy]]|date=n.d.|access-date=December 27, 2009|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120222050022/http://goty.gamespy.com/2008/overall/10.html|archive-date=February 22, 2012}}</ref>
*''IGN''<ref>{{cite web|author=Anon.|url=http://bestof.ign.com/2008/overall/23.html|title=Overall Game of the Year|date=n.d.|access-date=June 19, 2024|website=[[IGN]]|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090202050439/http://bestof.ign.com/2008/overall/23.html|archive-date=February 2, 2009}}</ref>
*UGO Networks<ref>{{cite web|first=Chris|last=Plante|url=http://www.ugo.com/games/ugos-game-of-the-year-awards-2008|title=UGO's Game of the Year Awards 2008|website=[[UGO Networks]]|date=December 18, 2008|access-date=August 18, 2011|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100511033928/http://www.ugo.com/games/ugos-game-of-the-year-awards-2008|archive-date=May 11, 2010}}</ref>}} The game also won Xbox 360 Game of the Year from GameSpy, ''IGN'', and ''Official Xbox Magazine'', and PC Game of the Year from ''[[GamePro]]'', GameSpy, ''GameSpot'', and ''[[GameTrailers]]''.{{efn-ua|Attributed to multiple sources:
*''Official Xbox Magazine'' Xbox 360<ref>{{cite magazine|author=Anon.|title=Game of the Year Awards|magazine=[[Official Xbox Magazine]]|date=February 2009|issue=93|page=72|issn=1534-7850}}</ref>
*GameSpy Xbox 360<ref>{{cite web|author=Anon.|url=http://goty.gamespy.com/2008/xbox360/11.html|title=Xbox 360 Top 10|website=[[GameSpy]]|page=11|date=n.d.|accessdate=June 19, 2024|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20090414125519/http://goty.gamespy.com/2008/xbox360/11.html|archivedate=April 14, 2009|url-status=dead}}</ref>
*''IGN'' Xbox 360<ref>{{cite web|author=Anon.|url=http://uk.bestof.ign.com/2008/xbox360/21.html|title=Xbox 360 Game of the Year|website=[[IGN]]|access-date=August 18, 2011|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120106035342/http://uk.bestof.ign.com/2008/xbox360/21.html|archive-date=January 6, 2012}}</ref>
*''GamePro'' PC<ref>{{cite magazine|author=Anon.|title=The Best (and Worst) of 08: The GamePro Awards|url=http://www.gamepro.com/article/features/208404/the-best-and-worst-of-08-the-gamepro-awards/|date=December 17, 2008|magazine=[[GamePro]]|access-date=August 18, 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110721211704/http://www.gamepro.com/article/features/208404/the-best-and-worst-of-08-the-gamepro-awards/|archive-date=July 21, 2011|url-status=dead}}</ref>
*GameSpy PC<ref>{{cite web|author=Anon.|url=http://goty.gamespy.com/2008/pc/12.html|title=PC Awards Recap|website=[[GameSpy]]|date=n.d.|access-date=August 18, 2011|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120207164704/http://goty.gamespy.com/2008/pc/12.html|archive-date=February 7, 2012}}</ref>
*''GameSpot'' PC<ref>{{cite web|author=Anon.|url=http://www.gamespot.com/best-of/platform-awards/index.html?page=2|title=Best PC Game|website=[[GameSpot]]|date=n.d.|accessdate=June 19, 2024|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20090222102057/http://www.gamespot.com/best-of/platform-awards/index.html?page=2|archivedate=February 22, 2009|url-status=dead}}</ref>
*''GameTrailers'' PC<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-zSnw12O92o|title=Game of the Year Awards 2008 - Best PC Game|date=July 19, 2016|accessdate=June 19, 2024|website=[[GameTrailers]]}}</ref>}} At the 2009 [[Golden Joystick Awards]], ''Fallout 3'' won Ultimate Game of the Year.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://kotaku.com/fallout-3-wins-the-golden-joysticks-5393592|title=Fallout 3 Wins The Golden Joysticks|access-date=November 11, 2009|website=[[Kotaku]]|date=October 30, 2009|first=Mike|last=Fahey|archive-date=September 15, 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110915174411/http://kotaku.com/5393592/fallout-3-wins-the-golden-joysticks|url-status=live}}</ref> It also won Game of the Year along with Best Writing at the [[Game Developers Choice Awards]].<ref>{{cite web|author=Anon.|url=http://www.gamechoiceawards.com/archive/gdca_9th.html|title=Game Developers Choice Awards: Nominees and Awards Recipients|date=n.d.|access-date=December 20, 2009|website=[[Game Developers Choice Awards]]|archive-date=February 10, 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120210075105/http://www.gamechoiceawards.com/archive/gdca_9th.html|url-status=live}}</ref> During the [[12th Annual Interactive Achievement Awards]], the [[Academy of Interactive Arts & Sciences]] awarded ''Fallout 3'' with [[D.I.C.E. Award for Role-Playing Game of the Year|Role-Playing Game of the Year]] and [[D.I.C.E. Award for Outstanding Achievement in Story|Outstanding Achievement in Original Story]], and nominated it for [[D.I.C.E. Award for Game of the Year|Overall Game of the Year]], Computer Game of the Year, Console Game of the Year, [[D.I.C.E. Award for Outstanding Achievement in Game Direction|Outstanding Achievement in Game Direction]], [[D.I.C.E. Award for Outstanding Achievement in Game Design|Outstanding Achievement in Game Design]], and [[D.I.C.E. Award for Outstanding Technical Achievement|Outstanding Achievement in Gameplay Engineering]].<ref>{{cite web|author=Anon.|url=https://www.interactive.org/games/video_game_details.asp?idAward=2009&idGame=1034|title=Fallout 3|website=[[Academy of Interactive Arts & Sciences]]|date=n.d.|access-date=April 8, 2020|archive-date=August 12, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200812151445/https://www.interactive.org/games/video_game_details.asp?idAward=2009&idGame=1034|url-status=live}}</ref>

==Legacy==
Some critics have referred to ''Fallout 3'' as one of the best games in the ''Fallout'' series,{{efn-ua|Attributed to multiple references:<ref>{{cite web|last=Wald|first=Heather|url=https://www.gamesradar.com/best-fallout-games/|title=The best Fallout games, ranked from worst to best|website=[[GamesRadar+]]|date=July 22, 2021|access-date=August 8, 2021|archive-date=August 8, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210808141615/https://www.gamesradar.com/best-fallout-games/|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|last=Watts|first=Steve|url=https://www.gamespot.com/gallery/best-fallout-games/2900-5249/|title=Best Fallout Games, Ranked|website=[[GameSpot]]|date=April 10, 2024|access-date=May 4, 2024|archive-date=May 5, 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240505060540/https://www.gamespot.com/gallery/best-fallout-games/2900-5249/|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|last=Kelly|first=Paul|url=https://www.pcgamesn.com/fallout/games-best|title=The best Fallout games ranked|website=[[PCGamesN]]|date=April 24, 2024|access-date=May 4, 2024|archive-date=May 7, 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240507030623/https://www.pcgamesn.com/fallout/games-best|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|last=Hanson|first=Sophie|url=https://www.yahoo.com/entertainment/best-fallout-games-ranked-including-160000964.html|title=The Best Fallout Games Ranked, Including The One With A Twist We're Still Thinking About|website=[[Yahoo!]]|date=April 13, 2024|accessdate=June 3, 2024}}</ref>}} and as one of the [[List of video games considered the best|greatest games of all time]].{{efn-ua|Attributed to multiple references:<ref>{{cite book|editor-last=Mott|editor-first=Tony|title=1001 Video Games You Must Play Before You Die|year=2010|publisher=[[Rizzoli Libri##Rizzoli International|Universe Publishing]]|page=787|isbn=978--0-7893-2090-2}}</ref><ref name="G4 100">{{cite web|author=Anon.|url=http://www.g4tv.com/videos/59223/top-100-video-games-of-all-time-75-fallout-3/|title=Top 100 Video Games of All Time #75 - Fallout 3|website=[[G4 (American TV network)|G4]]|date=June 12, 2012|accessdate=June 3, 2024|archive-date=November 7, 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141107192820/http://www.g4tv.com/videos/59223/top-100-video-games-of-all-time-75-fallout-3/|url-status=dead}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|author=Anon.|url=https://www.polygon.com/features/2017/11/30/16717548/polygon-500-best-games-of-all-time-200-101|title=The 500 best games of all time: 200-101|website=[[Polygon (website)|Polygon]]|date=November 30, 2017|accessdate=June 3, 2024}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|last1=Leedham|first1=Robert|last2=White|first2=Sam|url=https://www.gq-magazine.co.uk/article/best-video-games-all-time|title=The 100 greatest video games of all time, ranked by experts
|website=[[GQ]]|date=May 10, 2023|accessdate=June 3, 2024}}</ref>}} It is also considered one of the defining games of the [[seventh generation of video game consoles]], which generally encompasses the years 2005 to 2013.<ref name="Eurogamer Games of Decade"/><ref name="IGN Generation">{{cite web|author=Anon.|url=https://www.ign.com/top/games-of-a-generation/5|title=Top 100 Games of a Generation|website=[[IGN]]|date=n.d.|accessdate=January 14, 2025|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20140720055040/https://www.ign.com/top/games-of-a-generation/5|archivedate=July 20, 2014|url-status=dead}}</ref><ref>{{cite magazine|author=Anon.|title=50 Defining Games of This Console Generation|magazine=[[GamesTM]]|page=94|date=July 2013|issue=137|issn=1478-5889}}</ref> ''Fallout 3'' was included in ''[[The Art of Video Games]]'' exhibit at [[Smithsonian American Art Museum]], where it was described as the defining [[adventure game]] for current computers.<ref>{{cite web|last=Sullivan|first=Lucas|url=https://www.pcgamer.com/a-tour-through-the-smithsonians-the-art-of-video-games-exhibit/|title=A tour through the Smithsonian's The Art of Video Games exhibit|website=[[PC Gamer]]|date=April 14, 2012|accessdate=June 3, 2024}}</ref> In an article about the seventh generation of video game consoles, ''Eurogamer''{{'s}} Will Porter described ''Fallout 3'' as "a perfect meld of the old and the new ... The way ''Fallout 3'' strode out, blinked beneath an unfamiliar sun and went on to thrive, genuinely made it one of the greatest experiences of this generation."<ref name="Eurogamer Games of Decade"/> ''IGN'' gave similar commentary, and stated, "It's a truly special western role-playing game, one with a deep, post-apocalyptic plot, memorable characters, and an emphasis on choice".<ref name="IGN Generation"/>

''Fallout 3''{{'s}} open world map is often cited as the game's greatest achievement.<ref name="Eurogamer Games of Decade">{{cite web|last=Porter|first=Will|url=https://www.eurogamer.net/games-of-the-generation-fallout-3|title=Games of the Generation: Fallout 3|website=[[Eurogamer]]|date=October 28, 2013|accessdate=June 2, 2024}}</ref><ref name="Kotaku RPG">{{cite web|last=Burford|first=G.B.|url=https://kotaku.com/fallout-3-isnt-really-an-rpg-1725444327|title=Fallout 3 Isn't Really An RPG|website=[[Kotaku]]|date=August 21, 2015|accessdate=June 2, 2024}}</ref><ref name="PC Gamer Map">{{cite web|last=Kelly|first=Andy|url=https://www.pcgamer.com/fallout-3-does-the-old-wasteland-still-hold-up/|title=Fallout 3: does the old wasteland still hold up?|website=[[PC Gamer]]|date=November 23, 2015|accessdate=June 2, 2024}}</ref> Its portrayal of 1950s American culture contrasted by the devastation of nuclear war helped ''Fallout 3'' stand apart from contemporary high fantasy role-playing games like ''[[The Elder Scrolls]]'' and ''[[Gothic (series)|Gothic]]''.<ref name="Eurogamer Games of Decade"/><ref>{{cite web|last=Roddison|first=Mark|url=https://www.rpgfan.com/review/fallout-3-3/|title=Fallout 3|website=RPGFan|date=April 17, 2024|accessdate=June 2, 2024}}</ref> Journalists have also noted how the map emphasized exploration, and allowed players to find unique side quests and scenes of environmental storytelling.<ref name="Eurogamer Games of Decade"/><ref name="RPS Map">{{cite web|last=Chan|first=Khee Hoon|url=https://www.rockpapershotgun.com/fallout-3-is-ten-years-old-lets-remember-its-best-stories-and-quests|title=Fallout 3 is ten years old, let's remember its best stories and quests|website=[[Rock Paper Shotgun]]|date=October 29, 2018|accessdate=June 3, 2024}}</ref> Khee Hoon Chan of ''[[Rock Paper Shotgun]]'' remarked, "The ''Fallout 3'' world is probably better traversed when you abandon all pretense of trying to find your father, and wander about the endless wilderness as a roaming wayfarer, discovering these vignettes of humanity's perseverance after a global catastrophe."<ref name="RPS Map"/> Jeremy Peel of ''[[PCGamesN]]'' argues that ''Fallout 3''{{'s}} depiction of Washington, D.C. revolutionized video game exploration due to its non-linear design. Peel wrote, "Part of ''Fallout 3''{{'s}} legacy lies in setting the concept of a videogame dungeon free. Bethesda's D.C. allows you to approach its dangers from different directions, in different orders, and still find a satisfying loop you can recognize as dungeon-spelunking."<ref name="PCGamesN">{{cite web|last=Peel|first=Jeremy|url=https://www.pcgamesn.com/fallout-3/fallout-3-washington-dc|title=How Fallout 3's Washington, D.C. reinvented the dungeon|website=[[PCGamesN]]|date=October 3, 2017|accessdate=June 2, 2024}}</ref>

In the years since its release, the initial overwhelming praise bestowed on ''Fallout 3'' has somewhat subsided.<ref name="TheGamer">{{cite web|last=King|first=Jade|url=https://www.thegamer.com/fallout-3-vs-fallout-new-vegas-comparison-bethesda-interplay/|title=It's Okay To Enjoy Fallout 3 More Than New Vegas|website=TheGamer|date=April 22, 2024|accessdate=May 31, 2024}}</ref> Retrospective commentary surrounding ''Fallout 3'' often focuses on the writing, which some players and journalists have bemoaned for the lack of choices the player can make to affect the story and unrealistic character decisions.<ref name="TheGamer"/><ref name="Kotaku Retrospective">{{cite web|last=Burford|first=G.B.|url=https://kotaku.com/three-things-that-make-fallout-3-special-1721404805|title=Three Things That Make Fallout 3 Special|website=[[Kotaku]]|date=July 31, 2015|accessdate=May 31, 2024}}</ref><ref name="Hardcore Gaming"/> For example, at the end of the game when the player can choose to sacrifice themself to activate the purifier, they are unable to ask a companion to do it instead, even if the companion is immune to radiation.<ref name="Hardcore Gaming">{{cite web|last=Miszczyk|first=Maciej|url=http://www.hardcoregaming101.net/fallout-3/|title=Fallout 3|website=[[Hardcore Gaming 101]]|date=November 8, 2016|accessdate=May 31, 2024}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|last=Svn|first=Tiago|url=https://www.cracked.com/article_35271_revisiting-fallout-3s-ridiculous-ending.html|title=Revisiting 'Fallout 3's Ridiculous Ending|website=[[Cracked (magazine)|Cracked]]|date=September 11, 2022|accessdate=June 2, 2024}}</ref> ''Fallout 3''{{'s}} successor, ''[[Fallout: New Vegas]]'', introduced multiple questlines the player can follow to complete the game and replaced the karma system with reputation among specific factions.<ref name="Push Square"/> Due to its expanded role-playing mechanics, some players and journalists not only favor ''Fallout: New Vegas'', but also deride ''Fallout 3'' in comparison.<ref name="TheGamer"/> In response to the backlash, journalist Jade King wrote, "It feels elitist to suddenly pigeonhole it as some sort of failure ... Back in 2008, ''Fallout 3'' set a new benchmark for what open world [role-playing games] were capable of. We view it with such derision in hindsight, because Bethesda never really moved on from it.<ref name="TheGamer"/>

''Fallout 3'' brought the ''Fallout'' series into the mainstream.<ref name="Washington Post">{{cite news|last=Studholme|first=Billy|url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/video-games/2023/01/31/fallout-4-review-retrospective/|title='Fallout 4' has aged beautifully. You should play it again|newspaper=[[The Washington Post]]|date=January 31, 2023|accessdate=May 28, 2024}}</ref><ref name="Push Square">{{cite web|last=Ramsey|first=Robert|url=https://www.pushsquare.com/news/2015/06/retrospective_returning_to_the_wastelands_of_fallout_3_and_fallout_new_vegas|title=Retrospective: Returning to the Wastelands of Fallout 3 and Fallout: New Vegas|website=[[Push Square]]|date=June 5, 2015|accessdate=May 24, 2024}}</ref> Billy Studholme of ''[[The Washington Post]]'' wrote, "Before ''Fallout 3'', there was no ''Fallout'' as we know it today. The game blew the hinges off the franchise in the best way."<ref name="Washington Post"/> Due to the tepid reception toward the spin-off games ''[[Fallout Tactics: Brotherhood of Steel]]'' and ''[[Fallout: Brotherhood of Steel]]'', and the cancellation of the ''Van Buren'' project, the series stagnated in the mid 2000s.<ref name="IGN History"/> Bethesda's decision to swap the [[Isometric video game graphics|isometric graphics]] of the older games with 3D graphics as well as release the game on consoles helped ''Fallout 3'' reach a wider audience.<ref name="Washington Post"/><ref name="Eurogamer History">{{cite web|last=Cobbett|first=Richard|url=https://www.eurogamer.net/a-brief-history-of-fallout|title=
A brief history of Fallout|website=[[Eurogamer]]|date=June 5, 2015|accessdate=May 28, 2024}}</ref> Maxwell McGee of ''GamesRadar+'' also notes that Bethesda made ''Fallout 3'' more accessible to new players.<ref name="GamesRadar New Players">{{cite web|last=McGee|first=Maxwell|url=https://www.gamesradar.com/where-to-start-fallout/|title=I've never played Fallout, where's the best place to start?|website=[[GamesRadar+]]|date=July 15, 2015|accessdate=May 28, 2024}}</ref> McGee stated, "It's a guided experience that expertly introduces the ''Fallout'' universe without leaving you lost in the wasteland."<ref name="GamesRadar New Players"/>

==Notes==
{{notelist-ua}}

==References==
{{reflist}}

==External links==
{{Commons category}}
* {{official website|https://fallout.bethesda.net/en/games/fallout-3}}
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{{Fallout}}
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