Fallout games are one of the most essential titles in gaming history. The first two Fallout games have been a staple for what a good RPG game should feel like. It had an incredible world that itself became a character, dozens of side missions, quests, and a whole array of possibilities that were impossible then.

Some time has passed, and we have made a few strides in RPGs. Well, that was the time when Fallout 3 came out and changed everything once more. The introduction of the initially controversial V.A.T.S. system was a global sensation and a game that opened the Fallout franchise to many people worldwide who were not familiar with this concept. It had an incredible atmosphere and an even better storyline in a world we fell in love with once more.

So, what are we comparing today? Well, not – which game is better, as it is all subjective in the end. In this clash, we will show you how both Fallout 3 and Fallout 4 games changed the gaming landscape and present you with how this franchise evolved over the years. With that in mind, let’s delve into some Fallout-based fun!

Starting with – gameplay. Fallout series has always been praised for its open world that you want to browse through to find the new guns, new storylines in one of the Vaults, or just get some new side quests.

In both cases, we are roaming through the post-apocalyptic world full of threats and issues. How do those titles play out in the end? Well, let’s see and find out!

Fallout 3

Let’s start with Fallout 3. When it first came out, it changed how we looked at the FPS/RPG games. The first thing we see from this game is just a space of the Capital Wasteland, full of surprises that we will be able to discover. There were plenty of radiant quests from people you could threaten, convince, or just straight-up attack with the classic Bethesda dialogue system.

Additionally, Fallout 3 was the first game that introduced the V.A.T.S. system – Vault-Tec Assisted Targeting System, which allowed you to slow down time and choose the body part you wanted to shoot. It was initially criticized as a bit of a rusty concept, but most players agreed that it did the job it was supposed to accomplish. In our book – it was an exemplary implementation to the world and allowed some hilarious head exploding!

Fallout 4

Fallout 4, on the other hand, improved on the concepts introduced in the first game and added some refined shooting and an even better V.A.T.S. system that allowed you to shoot enemies and do some other actions.

Moreover, in addition to just doing everything but more – the game added settlement building as one of the cornerstones of the gameplay, where you could save innocent lives while also doing some good-old housekeeping.

Fallout 4 also added a new crafting system, where you could create your own home in the wasteland, adding a much-needed spice that the original lacked. And the crafting system extends to more than upgrading your power armor or making the gunplay a bit more fun. You can create furniture, power stations, and, as every good open-world RPG allows you to – even customizations! The main story is one thing, but building your settlement – is like having two games in one!

Verdict

Here, we would classically show you the ins and outs of the game and say – well, this one is just better, but it’s hard to compare the game that was a successor to the initial title. Instead of choosing which one was better, let’s focus on the subsumption of the qualities of both titles.

In Fallout 3, we had a revolution regarding RPG/FPS gameplay with a vast open world and a game that felt different from anything else on the market. Conversely, Fallout 4 is a complete title, with everything but a better kind of mentality, dozens of side quests, additional mechanics, and a more polished title up for the latest standards.

In all Fallout games, the story is what drives the game. The narrative is key, so in this round, we will go over the main quest and some side-ones to see what you can expect from each title. The Fallout: New Vegas questions will be discussed in a different article. So, let’s do it like most quests and – get on with it!

Fallout 3

Starting with Fallout 3, the main storyline is centered around the search for your father in post-apocalyptic Washington. What used to be the capital of a great nation is now a wasteland full of ghouls and other creatures spawned from the radioactive blast.

You are a Lone Wanderer, searching for your father in this tragic world, where almost everything is trying to kill you, and most people are raiders with half a brain. This Nuka world is not easy, but the 1920s music and some good old state propaganda that comes out of the speakers will make it at least bearable.

You will have a lot of moral decisions to make throughout the game, and it’s a memorable experience, for sure. Going through some tough choices can help you appreciate the world around you. Nevertheless, it is also tempting, as the developers created an actual post-apocalypse that sometimes feels more fun than home.

Fallout 4

Fallout 4 is similar yet different from most sequels. Here, you are not looking for your father, who made strides in this world, but rather, after being separated from your family, you want to find your son, Shaun, who is captured by “the evil guys.”

Although the plot is rather basic at first glance, it’s just a pretense to present you with a more remarkable story full of twists and turns. You have a raging war between the Institute, the Railroad, Minutemen, and the Brotherhood of Steel. Each one has many side quests for you to do, and – there are a lot of settlements that need your help in these dire times.

It has a fair share of exploration for you to enjoy, some exciting plot twists, and ultimately – it’s a great title to enjoy if you want to explore the different moral landscapes and don’t care about that sort of thing.

Verdict

In both games, the narrative is critical to understanding the world around you. In Fallout 3, we have a more straightforward structure, where the world is divided into parts fighting against each other, and you must choose which side you’re on. That will impact the ending and Washington’s future as well.

When it comes to Fallout 4, it’s a much more personal story, where you are primarily focused on the characters' emotional baggage rather than picking sides. You’re primarily concerned with finding your child while also being able to put your foot down when necessary. Each title is a good game if you want to immerse yourself in it, and we can surely recommend both of them in that regard.

Next up, we have the graphics department. Games are still oftentimes judged by how they look, and no wonder! We have the most sophisticated technology since the dawn of gaming, so it’s only fair that we would demand some level of visual depth in the games we play. Both titles have been made with the Creation Engine, a staple for Bethesda’s games, and you can feel it every step of the way. So, let’s see what those titles accomplished regarding visuals.

Fallout 4

Starting with Fallout 3, for a change, it has some of the classical Bethesda-style visuals that we are all familiar with. The open world with little to no loading screens, detailed characters, significant lighting effects, and an impressive open world to roam through. The quality of animation at that time was not the groundbreaking thing that some other AAA games could accomplish, but the sheer scope of this production cannot be underestimated, especially when it comes to the characters department. Here, you have a great detail of different facial expressions and movements. It’s all about interactions in this game, so it’s only reasonable that they would do so much due diligence in that department.

Fallout 3

How does the Fallout 3 play out? Well, let’s just say that for a game from 2008, it still looks kind of okay. Don’t get us wrong; we know where it came from. The game is mainly brown-grey, so there is no incredible coloring. Nevertheless, we feel like they did pretty remarkably well for what they had, and to see this game still being playable is something we did not expect they would pull off.

For the most part, it’s an exciting stroll through the DC wasteland, and while the map is not the biggest on the market, all the Vaults and whatnot are nicely designed. Each of them looks different, and you feel the life happening there. The point being – as usual with Bethesda – the graphics were not groundbreaking, but they are still going strong, surprisingly.

Verdict

Both titles have the classic Bethesda look. They are full of bugs and glitches, but ultimately – they have an incredible feel. Fallout games and all Bethesda games have proven that you don’t need the next-generation graphics if you have solid gameplay. And, if you manage to create an immersive and creatively drafted world, even the highest HD will not beat it.

And now, let’s talk about the characters in both titles. As we have mentioned previously, the most significant character is the world itself, but some guys within this world spice things up with side quests or some pain with their approach. Here are the characters you can expect to interact with in Fallout 3 and 4.

Fallout 4

Starting with – Fallout 4. The first person you see in this world is, well, you! The protagonist is a family person, fully fleshed out and voiced, unlike the Fallout 3. You are Nate or Nora (depending on the sex we have chosen). 

It adds an immersive layer to the character since we're not just another voiceless and nameless character like in many RPG games. We have a purpose, a past life that we lived to the fullest, and now find ourselves in dire straits, needing to take drastic actions to save our family.

Additionally, we meet many people from all the previously mentioned sides on our journey. The famous Preston, who is always telling us that some settlements need our help; Nick Valentine, a synthetic person who is probably one of the most exciting characters in the whole franchise; and the famous/infamous Father, who is, well, let’s not spoil the game here, but he’s someone you did not expect him to be.

The characters in the game are fascinating, and there's always more to explore through their notes and computer logs. They're a fantastic bunch who'll make you laugh, love, and even shed a tear or two along the way.

Fallout 3

Fallout 3, on the other hand, is primarily the Lone Wanderer, who is not saying anything in the classic RPG fashion. It’s a preference, as you may like this way of interacting more than the voiced actor, as it gives you a more immersive experience in the end. The game world is full of potential in this case, as it allows you to create this character however you want. And if you enjoy the role-playing aspect of those titles, it’s something to look forward to.

And we also have a whole array of characters here, as with every Fallout game. The creators of the Elder Scrolls games went the opposite way regarding character creation. For example, we have the infamous Mister Burke, who is casually proposing you set off an atomic bomb in the middle of a city. A DJ named Three Dogg is putting on some of the bangers from the 1920s; Dr. Li is crucial for your nuclear fusion purposes and, well, your father.

The characters in Fallout 3 are highly engaging, and talking to them is a fun distraction to, you know, all the murdering that is going around.

Verdict

So, which one is a better game? Well, we cannot say. Both titles had some significant aspects to them, and there are fans of both approaches. Fallout 3 (especially with the Broken Steel add-on) is actually in the gaming culture, especially with memorable characters like Three Dogg. On the other hand, we have much more emotional storytelling from the point of the voided Nate/Nora. We believe both of those titles are worth checking out and giving them a chance. 

It’s best to start with Fallout 3, as it’s one of the best games in the history of the series, with a 93% Metascore. Then, you can go for Fallout 4 (88 Metascore) to fully understand the path that the series went through. You can get them both easily at Royal CD Keys for a reasonable price!

And so we are at the end of our road. As you can see, both games have plenty of elements that you can enjoy. From combat through narrative and giving your settlers high five, ways that this game proved themselves worthy are just on a completely different level. Suffice it to say that both titles managed to get the Game of the Year edition as well,  and considering how many people have played them since – it’s worth your time and attention. 

Thanks for stopping by! If you like this article, make sure to check out other ones on our site. We have many of those, so we are positive that you will find something you like. That’s it for today; stay safe, and we will see you in the next one!