Fallout Games in Chronological Order - Best Way to Play

Embark on a journey through the post-apocalyptic world of Fallout in the correct order. With nine main games and thirteen major expansions, navigating the series can be daunting. This guide lays out the chronological path, from Fallout 76 to the latest entries, ensuring a cohesive experience for newcomers and veterans alike.

Why Fallout's Timeline Matters

The Fallout franchise, developed by various studios under the oversight of Bethesda, spans over two decades, offering a rich, retro-futuristic apocalypse setting. With a new Fallout game in development and the recent Fallout TV series (set in 2296, 219 years after the Great War), now is the perfect time to explore the series chronologically.

This guide will walk you through playing the Fallout games in order, excluding non-canonical titles like Fallout Shelter and Fallout: Brotherhood of Steel. Fallout Tactics, though partially retconned, is included due to referenced events in later games.

7 Fallout Games You Must Play

Category	Count
Main Fallout games	9
Major expansions	13

A key aspect to consider is the mixed reception of certain titles, notably Fallout 76, which was initially received poorly at launch due to its online-centric design and lack of NPCs but has since been updated with significant content additions like Wastelanders and Steel Reign.

When Does the Fallout TV Show Take Place?

The Fallout TV series on Amazon is set in 2296, approximately 9 years after the events of Fallout 4. This places it at the later end of the Fallout timeline.

Understanding the timeline is important for appreciating the series' narrative depth, especially for elements like the Great War and its aftermath, which shape the world of each game.

The 7 Games You Must Beat in Order

Below is the chronological order to play the Fallout series for the most cohesive narrative experience:

1. Fallout 76

Setting: Appalachia, 25 years after the Great War.
Synopsis: Play as a Vault 76 dweller, exploring a nuclear wasteland, completing quests, and rebuilding society.
Note: Initially received poorly but has been significantly updated.
Player Experience: The online multiplayer aspect allows for cooperative play, a first for the series, but lacks the strong narrative focus of other entries.

2. Fallout

Setting: California, 59 years after Fallout 76.
Synopsis: A Vault 13 dweller must find a new water chip, confronting Super Mutants and the Master.
Gameplay: Turn-based CRPG with a top-down camera, emphasizing player choice.
Player Experience: The game's depth in character development and branching storylines set the foundation for the series' RPG elements.

3. Fallout Tactics

Setting: 30 years after Fallout.
Synopsis: Lead a Brotherhood of Steel squad through strategic battles.
Note: Partially retconned but includes referenced events in later games.
Player Experience: Offers a unique tactical spin, though its canonicity is partially disputed.

4. Fallout 2

Setting: 44 years after Fallout Tactics.
Synopsis: The Chosen One seeks a G.E.C.K. to save their settlement from drought, facing the Enclave.
Developer: Black Isle Studios.
Player Experience: Builds upon the first game with enhanced RPG mechanics and a broader open world.

5. Fallout 3

Setting: 30 years after Fallout 2, in the Capital Wasteland.
Synopsis: The Lone Wanderer searches for their father, entangled in an Enclave plot.
Gameplay: 3D, first-person, with V.A.T.S. (Vault-Tec Assisted Targeting System).
Player Experience: Revolutionized the series with its shift to 3D gameplay and the innovative V.A.T.S. system.

Fallout 3 Expansions (In-Game Chronological Order)

Operation Anchorage: Simulate the Battle of Anchorage.
The Pitt: Find a cure for a disease in a plague-infested Pittsburgh.
Point Lookout: Uncover secrets in a haunted swamp.
Mothership Zeta: Overthrow alien captors after being abducted.

Continuation of the Series (Not Detailed Here due to Source Constraints)

Fallout: New Vegas
Fallout 4
Future Titles

Your Fallout Playthrough Blueprint

Start with Fallout 76** for the earliest timeline events, but be aware of its different gameplay focus.
Appreciate the Evolution: Notice the gameplay shifts from Fallout to Fallout 3 and beyond.
Explore Expansions: Especially for Fallout 3, as they add significant story content.

The Best Fallout Starting Point (2024)

Playing the Fallout series in chronological order provides a deep, rewarding experience, showcasing the franchise's growth and the vast, rich world of the post-apocalyptic future. Whether you're a veteran or new to the series, this order ensures you capture the narrative essence and evolution of gameplay mechanics.

Given the mixed reception of titles like Fallout 76, understanding the context and updates can enhance your experience, especially with its significant post-launch support.