Ever since Bethesda bought the Fallout franchise back in 2004, they turned it into one of the most recognizable series in gaming history. The earliest Fallout games were turn-based RPGs with a top-down perspective that later turned into 3D, action-RPG for mainstream audiences. 

The series maintained its RPG mechanics, nonlinear storyline, and dark humor despite completely altering the gameplay aspect. Overall, it’s the most popular series set in a post-apocalyptic world ever created. Although die-hard Fallout fans will complain, it has had its highs and lows throughout the years. But once I was done traveling through the post-apo open-world environment in Fallout 4, I immediately searched for something similar. 

Fortunately, we’ve prepared a list of great open-world games that retain the spirit of the Fallout series. Even better, most of these titles are available on RoyalCDKeys for competitive prices! Ready to dive into not so bright alternate future? 

The Outer Worlds

• Developer: Obsidian Entertainment
• Release Date: October 25, 2019
• Platforms: PC, PlayStation 4, Xbox One, Nintendo Switch
• Metascore: 82

Outer Worlds has been developed by Obsidian Entertainment, the same studio that created Fallout: New Vegas. Many fans declare New Vegas is the only installment capturing the spirit of the first two games in the series. It’s considered one of the best Fallout games ever created, so Obsidian’s newest child has had high hopes placed on it despite being an entirely different game. And guess what, they didn’t disappoint.

Instead of a post-apocalyptic setting, the game takes place in a solar system-wide colony ruled by corporate feudalism. Being a western sci-fi show, the game is filled with dark humor and satirical slogans all over the place. It features an original open-world with different planets to visit, a memorable cast of weird characters, various galactic factions, and a humorous storyline. The Outer Worlds feels like a true successor to New Vegas with its RPG elements. It’s a proper Fallout game, just with a different title.

The Outer Worlds Steam Key is available for purchase on RoyalCDKeys.

Key Features

• The Outer Worlds was made by the same development team behind Fallout: New Vegas.
• Engaging storyline with lots of dark humor and a memorable cast of characters.
• Lots of side quests and choices to make.
• Unique open-world made in sci-fi western show style.

Mad Max

• Developer: Avalanche Studios
• Release Date: September 1, 2015
• Platforms: PC, PlayStation 4, Xbox One
• Metascore: 73

The financial success of Mad Max films and its latest entry, Fury Road, convinced Warner Bros to release a game set in the same universe. Usually, games based on movies are forgettable and don’t offer much despite a familiar cast of characters voiced by the same actors. However, Mad Max is an exception to the rule and perfectly portrays its post-apocalyptic universe. The game is far from a “play-the-movie” type of experience, as it takes the license and creates a narrative loosely based upon Fury Road. 

You follow the story of Max Rockatansky, a lone warrior who got robbed in the desert and is left to die under the scorching sun. He barely survives and sets on a journey to get revenge on his oppressors and rebuild his vehicle – the Magnum Opus. The game also takes place in a post-apocalyptic future and features gameplay elements familiar to the Fallout series. It also incorporates an extensive vehicle combat system on top of combining RPG and FPS elements. 

You can freely explore a massive open world as there’s a lot to do besides the main story. You can participate in dangerous side missions, Deathrun races, various encounters, etc. Mad Max deserves love and attention due to the fact that it was criminally underrated upon release.

Mad Max Steam Key is available for purchase on RoyalCDKeys.

Key Features

• A post-apocalyptic game world based on the Mad Max franchise.
• Engaging combat system, both melee and ranged.
• Diverse weaponry.
• Various car customization options.   

Metro: Exodus

• Developer: 4A Games
• Release Date: February 15, 2019
• Platforms: PC, PlayStation 4, Xbox One, Google Stadia
• Metascore: 82

Metro: Exodus is the third installment of the famous Metro series, continuing the events presented in Metro 2033 and Last Light. It’s a survival horror, first-person shooter with a grim view of the near future where mutated beasts took control over the surface world after a nuclear war. There are also paranormal horrors going on, and humanity will soon become extinct on its own due to the emerging civil war. As you can see, this post-apocalyptic scenario is even dourer than in Fallout.

The third installment is perfect for Fallout fans, as it takes place on the surface instead of Moscow’s underground metro tunnels. For example, it perfectly captures the sense of fear and desperation lacking in Fallout 4. Not only that, but Exodus is a thought-provoking game with a great narrative that will keep you hooked from start to finish. However, it focuses more on survival tactics than RPG elements, but the harsh yet stunning environments make it a worthwhile experience.

Metro: Exodus Steam Key is available for purchase on RoyalCDKeys.

Key Features

• Explore the barren wastelands of post-nuclear Russia.
• Dark and gloomy open world, with plenty of side activities.
• Great storyline inspired by the novels of Dmitry Glukhovsky.

The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim

• Developer: Bethesda Game Studios
• Release Date: November 11, 2011
• Platforms: PC, PlayStation 3, Xbox 360
• Metascore: 94

This list wouldn’t be complete without at least one game from Bethesda. Skyrim is the definition of the first-person perspective, open-world RPG despite being over a decade old. However, thanks to its ever-growing modding community and fan-made story expansions, it's more alive than ever.

For those who somehow never played Skyrim, you play as the Dragonborn in the medieval-fantasy land, Tamriel. At the start of the game, you will choose the gender and race of your character. After a short prologue, the vast land of Skyrim is all yours, and you can go whenever you want, just like in Fallout.

The choices you make significantly impact the storyline, and NPCs are actively reacting to your actions. Unfortunately, the main storyline is one of the game's weakest points. It’s odd, but that's how it is. The game shines through exploration, side quests, and factions. You can join Mage’s Guild, Thieves Guild, Dark Brotherhood, Stormcloaks, Imperials, etc. Quests regarding each of these are written exceptionally well.

Similar to Fallout, exploring is quite significant. The world is massive, and it takes countless hours to discover all dungeons, caves, and hidden side quests. Even the player base is similar, with about 20k daily players. It’s one of the best games ever created in terms of popularity and is worth trying since it has so much in common with the Fallout series.

The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim - Special Edition Steam Key is available for purchase on RoyalCDKeys.

Key Features 

• One of the biggest medieval-fantasy worlds to explore.
• Many factions to join and exceptionally written side-quests.
• Evergrowing modding community.
• Similar mechanics to Fallout 4.

Horizon Zero Dawn

• Developer: Guerilla Games
• Release Date: August 7, 2020 (PC)
• Platforms: PC, PlayStation 4
• Metascore: 84  

Horizon Zero Dawn offers a unique approach to the presented world that is more vivid and far less bleak than Fallout’s Wastelands. Despite its utterly different atmosphere, it has a lot to offer in terms of lore, storytelling, and intrigue. Horizon’s world is a mix of tribal lifestyle with sci-fi fantasy. The gorgeous land you’re going to explore is inhabited by advanced machines that look like all manner of prehistoric creatures.

Aloy, a young huntress, sets on a journey to uncover the reasons behind this global catastrophe and why machines took over. You’ll discover Aloy’s mysterious origins and how she’s connected to these world-changing events. Like in Fallout, you will visit different settlements and take part in various side-quests while meeting a roster of interesting characters.

Aside from the storyline, Horizon has a meticulously crafted combat system. Bigger and stronger machines require careful planning, especially on harder difficulties. Scanning them will reveal their weak spots that you should focus on if you want to succeed. Machines are leaving scraps, which are used to upgrade Aloy’s equipment. These include bows, traps, elemental arrows, sticky bombs, tripcasters, rope launchers, etc. 

And you really have to use them all if you want to succeed. In Fallout, you could become a master of one weapon, and you were set for the entire game. Horizon is different, forcing you to adapt to the current situation instead of mindlessly firing your bow. 

I’ve spent dozens of hours simply exploring and hunting for more powerful machines to test my limits. Honestly, it's my favorite game on this list, ideal for players looking for a real hunting challenge while traversing its original wasteland.

Horizon Zero Dawn - Complete Edition Steam Key is available for purchase on RoyalCDKeys.

Key Features

• A unique, post-apocalyptic world where tribal life and sci-fi technology collide.
• Interesting storyline, where you uncover the mysteries of the world and Aloy’s origin.
• An incredible combat system forcing you to utilize every weapon at your disposal.

Dying Light 2: Stay Human

• Developer: Techland
• Release Date: February 4, 2022
• Platforms: PC, PlayStation 4/5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X/S
• Metascore: 77

The freshest game on our list, Dying Light 2 is the successor to the first game where you have to deal with the zombie outbreak. It takes plenty from several games, mixing it into one fitting piece where everything works like clockwork. Think of Mirror’s Edge parkour, Mad Max’s dystopia and Fallout RPG mechanics served in perfect proportions. It’s a zombie-slaying action game where nuclear ghouls from Fallout look laughable in comparison.

The main character of Dying Light 2 is Aiden Caldwell. Aiden is a Pilgrim, a person traversing post-apocalyptic wastelands, carrying packages between human settlements. He comes to Villedor in search of his sister. Unfortunately, he becomes embroiled in a war for influence between factions seeking control of the city. Unlike the previous part, Dying Light 2's story is non-linear. Aiden will face moral decisions, support certain factions and make alliances or enemies with different people, depending on your choices.

Dying Light 2 isn't much different from its predecessor in terms of gameplay. It’s still one of the most polished survival horrors to date. You've come to the right place if you love the constant fear of being ambushed from any direction. Using fancy tools like grapple hook to move around faster, wall running, and crafting system is better than ever. 

On top of that, you can use over 1000 weapon combinations. It also includes a co-op multiplayer mode if you ever fear you won't have the ability to start a new game alone. Even if you're not a fan of zombies, the Villedor’s quarantine zone will get you hooked for hours; just give it a try.

Dying Light 2: Stay Human Steam Key is available for purchase on RoyalCDKeys.

Key Features

• One of the best action-packed survival horrors to date.
• A unique mix of parkour and RPG elements.
• You can use over 1000 weapon combinations, including ranged and melee weapons.
• Non-linear story, full of moral choices and unpredictable outcomes.

Red Dead Redemption 2

• Developer: Rockstar Games
• Release Date: November 5, 2019 (PC)
• Platforms: PC, PlayStation 4, Xbox One, Google Stadia
• Metascore: 93

After a long wait, PC gamers can finally play one of the finest productions of our generation. The Wild West is not so far away from the post-apocalypse, desolate world presented in Fallout games. Although you won’t meet any machines, zombies, or super mutants, the game offers a lot in terms of exploration and a historically-accurate storyline.

You’ll be living the life of Arthur Morgan, an anti-hero who’s a member of the Van Der Linde gang. Similar to Fallout, you can play however you want and visit different locations at any given time, right after the prologue. 

There aren’t many games that excel in every gameplay aspect. Here you have exploration, an engaging storyline, meaningful sidequests, lively towns, and then some. It’s also worth mentioning a spectacular voice acting that perfectly captures the Wild West atmosphere.

Combat is also top-notch, where you can slow time and hit your opponent's vital spots to take him down instantly. Sounds familiar, Fallout fans? Red Dead Redemption 2 is one of the most original games ever created and a prime example of what a perfect sequel should look like. Even an in-depth review isn’t enough to explain all the features and details as players are still discovering something new.

Red Dead Redemption 2 Rockstar Games Key is available for purchase on RoyalCDKeys. 

Key Features

• A huge, historically accurate world with high mountains, extended valleys, rivers, prairies, forests, and small towns in the middle of the adventure.
• An exceptionally written main character – Arthur Morgan.
• NPCs will react according to your behavior, Honor, appearance, and achievements.
• Exciting western duels with the slow-motion features.
• A multiplayer variant called Red Dead Online.