The “Fallout” franchise has produced some of the most impactful and popular RPGs of all time. From the smoothness of the gameplay to the lore-rich universe that Bethesda has created, there’s a reason why the franchise has become so beloved in the video game industry. That now includes the entertainment industry with Prime Video’s award-winning “Fallout” TV show. However, aside from that show and steady updates to “Fallout 76,” there hasn’t been a new mainline game in the franchise for over a decade, forcing gamers to play other titles while they patiently await the arrival of “Fallout 5.”
While very few games can truly capture what makes “Fallout” so compelling, there are certainly titles on the market that offer a comparable experience. Some games have been inspired by titles in the “Fallout” franchise or feature similar elements found in the series, making them perfect choices to play while “Fallout 5” continues its development. So, if you’ve been looking for some games to pass the time between now and the next “Fallout,” we’ve got just the list for you.
The Blood of Dawnwalker
While the setting of “The Blood of Dawnwalker” is completely different than that of “Fallout,” the DNA between the two games is extremely similar. “The Blood of Dawnwalker” is an RPG set in a fictional version of 14th-century Europe around the time of the Black Plague. However, in this universe, vampires have overtaken a small part of the world, and the main protagonist, Coen, is tasked with bringing down the vampiric regime after he himself is turned into a half-vampire.
You can think of the setting as more akin to something like “The Elder Scrolls” or “The Witcher,” but that doesn’t take away from its appeal to “Fallout” players. The world features a large, open-world map full of interesting characters and locations, as well as a whole host of loot to find. Combat is engaging, featuring a directional style of fighting, and your choices you make in both the main story and side content can affect the world around you, as well as the game’s ending. It’s everything that a “Fallout” player might look for in an RPG, minus the post-apocalyptic setting.
Crimson Desert
If the explorable world and combat are two of your favorite elements of “Fallout,” then “Crimson Desert” needs to be on the short list for your next game. While “Crimson Desert” is lacking in the story, lore, and writing departments, it more than makes up for those shortcomings in every other area. It’s difficult to fully describe just how big of a game “Crimson Desert” is, as its map is nearly 200 km² in size. For reference, the map size of “Fallout 4” is just under 10 km².
While some games boast a large map, there’s often not a lot to do in between major cities and locations. That’s not the case with “Crimson Desert,” as you’ll find plenty of side quests, NPCs, and secret spots to check out as you uncover the massive world. “Crimson Desert” also just added base-building, giving you a potential taste of what “Fallout 5” might have in store after the success of the base system in “Fallout 4.”
The Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion Remastered
Naturally, if you want to play something that feels like “Fallout,” you’ll want to stay within the Bethesda universe. While games like “Starfield” or “The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim” are great choices, “Oblivion Remastered” tends to get overlooked despite being a marvel of a remaster. The original “Oblivion” from 2006 has consistently been hailed as perhaps the best overall RPG not named “Skyrim,” and the recent remaster only strengthens that case.
Similar to “Skyrim,” “Oblivion Remastered” takes place on the continent of Tamriel and features a fantasy world full of conflict, magic, and vastly different environments to explore. Your character in the game is charged with uncovering a royal conspiracy in the main story, but you can spend dozens upon dozens of hours roaming the open world, taking part in side content, and exploring all manner of dungeons and caves. It’s another Bethesda RPG, so any “Fallout” fan should feel right at home.
Atomfall
There is no shortage of video games that have been inspired by “Fallout,” and that spark is quite apparent in “Atomfall.” Directly influenced by “Fallout: New Vegas,” “Atomfall” is a post-apocalyptic, open-world survival game that takes character choice to the next level. Your character is a survivor of a nuclear attack, but you have no memory of where or who you are. You start with basically nothing, but must explore the strange areas around you if you want to survive and make it out of your new home alive.
During your journey, you’ll meet a host of interesting and creepy characters who give you what appear to be side quests. However, every character and quest in “Atomfall” can directly impact the game’s story, and the choices you make during these quests will affect the ending you receive. While the combat is slightly harsher than “Fallout” and there’s a survival aspect to deal with, “Atomfall” is perfect for any fan looking to explore a strange world where your choices matter. It might as well be a spiritual successor to the “Fallout: New Vegas” sequel we’ll probably never get.
The Outer Worlds
Perhaps the closest video game franchise to “Fallout” in terms of gameplay, story, and combat is “The Outer Worlds.” Designed by Obsidian Entertainment, the team behind “Fallout: New Vegas,” the main difference between the two franchises is the setting. “The Outer Worlds” takes place far into the future in another galaxy after Earth and the Milky Way were no longer habitable for humanity. This gives it somewhat of a post-apocalyptic feel, but the technology you interact with in “The Outer Worlds” is far beyond anything you see in “Fallout.”
Still, “The Outer Worlds” franchise offers two terrific games, with the original being generally more well-received than the sequel. During both games, you command your own spaceship, travel to different planets in your galaxy, and are able to recruit a large party of followers, all of whom have their own stats and attributes. The combat and gameplay are eerily similar to “Fallout,” as are the looting system and world exploration.
