What Order Should You Play The Fallout Games In?

The series has a long history and a complex chronology, and figuring out where to jump in for the first time can be difficult. Since its debut in 1997, has undergone some major evolutions while retaining a unique flavor that helps secure its enduring appeal. The wasteland presented in the games mixes harsh realities of a radioactive post-apocalyptic world with a creative and often humorous personality, and it's hard not to be entertained by the sheer variety of things to do.

There's not necessarily a wrong way to play the games, as any series entry that seems appealing is likely to prove a reasonable introduction to the franchise. Even so, there are some that could be harder to ease into than others, and major changes in gameplay could make some approaches to progressing through the games feel disjointed. Among a few strong candidates for the best order, there's one that stands out as the easiest to recommend.

Although there's something to be said for both chronological and release orders, neither necessarily make for the best way to experience If any game is the most surefire starter, it's , which is easy to get into from a gameplay standpoint and provides an exceptionally compelling narrative that many view as the franchise peak. From there, it's worth playing through the other modern games and then jumping back to the classics, which are still great experiences but present tougher learning curves for newcomers.

Game

The Reason to Play

A perfect introduction to the wasteland

The newest mainline game and recipient of a next-gen update.

The game that started the series revival.

A classic with a learning curve.

The most direct sequel.

No longer canon, but compelling.

A continually updating multiplayer experience.

and are both games worth mentioning, but neither have much of a place in any definitive play order for the series. is a mobile game (later made available on consoles) that offers a more casual experience, and is a flawed take on the franchise