
Fallout’s second season hasn’t had the same support that the first season did, but it’s still a great bit of telly and like its first season, the player count for Fallout games has skyrocketed.
For new players, there are a fair few games to get you started, and everyone has their favourite.
The one I see suggested the most is obviously Fallout: New Vegas and while I’d recommend it to anyone, I actually have another suggestion for you today, Fallout 3.
Don’t get me wrong, Fallout: New Vegas is the best Fallout game, but for new players who are tuning into the TV series week-by-week, I’d recommend playing it after you’ve finished the second season.
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However if you need to play a Fallout game right here, right now I’d say play Fallout 3 and here’s why.
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Fallout 3 was the Fallout series’ first leap into fully-fledged 3D graphics and as such, it shows its age a bit. This already puts it ahead of Fallout: New Vegas as the first game on your list, because then it won’t feel like a downgrade if you decide to play it later. It’s missing a variety of features from later Fallout games too, even ones as simple as aiming down sights on a weapon.
That said, it’s still a damn fine Fallout game, and if it wasn’t for New Vegas debuting years later, I think more people would be talking about it.
It’s also an oddly perfect precursor to the TV series too, as gives you arguably the best depiction of the Brotherhood of Steel, which should explain why the faction found in the TV series are such idiots by comparison, and it even references the show’s secret MacGuffin years before it aired, the cold fusion device.

Like all Bethesda games, it also boasts a wide variety of loveable characters and side-quests to undertake, so you’re not missing the charm that the series is now known for despite playing an earlier entry.
Of course, if you want to ignore me completely and play Fallout: New Vegas instead, I’m not stopping you, but given how the show has severely altered some established lore and potentially makes one of the endings canon, it might hinder your enjoyment if you play it at the same time as the show airing.
Seriously, give Fallout 3 a chance; it’s playable on Xbox, PC and PlayStation but only through PlayStation Plus Premium annoyingly.