Fallout is among the most treasured and revered video game franchises of all time, with a 28-year legacy of groundbreaking Western RPGs that have helped define the genre today. Known for its dark humor, retro-future aesthetic, satirical themes, and an atmosphere that seamlessly oscillates between haunting and eccentric, there’s nothing quite like Fallout. That being said, there is a small selection of great games that come close. So, if you’re looking to get your Fallout fix until the next mainline entry is released, here are the best games like Fallout you must try.
1. Stalker 2: Heart of Chornobyl
- Developer(s): GSC Game World
- Release Date: 20 November 2024
The Stalker franchise has often been referred to as a more ‘hardcore Fallout’ that emphasizes immersive elements and survival over storytelling and RPG-style mission structures. Naturally, this is also the case in Stalker 2. But while there are many points of distinction between the two IPs, they share the intoxicating gameplay loop of wandering around a post-apocalyptic world where humanity is scarce.
Heart of Chornobyl sees players revisit the Exclusion Zone and battle all manner of mutated creatures in search of supernatural artifacts. There’s zero room for levity here as the atmosphere is tense and unnerving at all times, even veering into psychological horror on occasion. Scheming opportunists can pop out of nowhere and attack you on sight, and rotting facilities hide the most grotesque of monstrosities.
Fallout fans will find plenty of similarities in that brief, which is reason enough to give Stalker 2 a chance. That said, you’ll have to contend with strict survival mechanics and keep a constant eye on the radiation counter.
2. Wasteland 3
- Developer(s): inXile Entertainment
- Release Date: 28 August 2020
Fans of the OG isometric Fallout games will likely be familiar with the Wasteland series. The franchise’s inception was inspired by Wasteland (1988), with the first Fallout game even being labeled a “spiritual successor” to Wasteland by the developers at Interplay. The links don’t end there, as Wasteland’s sequel was developed by InXile Entertainment, which was founded by former Fallout devs, including the series’ executive producer, Brian Fargo.
Needless to say, both Wasteland 2 and 3 carry many of the hallmarks associated with Fallout. But unlike Bethesda’s modern reimagining of the IP, Wasteland 3 sticks to its CRPG roots.
The 2020 release takes place in post-apocalyptic Colorado, which has been ravaged by nuclear detonations for a century. A semblance of civilization has returned to these parts, with remnants of humanity setting up settlements and factions. Your character is a part of the Desert Rangers, a group of lawmen that seek to restore order in the Wasteland. For all their good intentions, the Rangers often have to negotiate with dubious characters in scenarios where the fine lines between good and evil are blurred.
Just like the franchise it inspired, Wasteland 3 is packed with dark humor, environmental storytelling, and choices that shape the game’s world. If fans of modern Fallout are willing to contend with the isometric perspective and turn-based combat, they’ll find some of the best writing any RPG has to offer.
3. Metro Exodus
- Developer(s): 4A Games
- Release Date: 14 February 2019
The Metro games are closer to Stalker in terms of DNA, but many of the series’ core themes can be found in Fallout. While the games can’t be classified as RPGs, they deliver a similar sense of dread that players felt while exploring the many haunting ruins in Fallout 3. Besides this, they also take place in a post-apocalyptic world drenched in radiation, feature socio-political themes that continue to affect the remaining population, and have warring factions to represent humanity’s unquenchable thirst for power.
For newcomers, I’d recommend starting with Metro 2033, but for Fallout fans, Metro Exodus will feel like an easier gateway to Dmitry Glukhovsky’s Soviet wasteland. This is because Exodus has multiple open-world areas that are packed with points of interest. While strolling through these locations, you’ll also come across the local wildlife, which has mutated beyond recognition. Before jumping into Exodus, keep in mind that the game is not an RPG, so don’t go in expecting dialogue trees or branching story paths. Nonetheless, this is one of the best games like Fallout you should try.
4. Atomfall
- Developer(s): Rebellion Developments
- Release Date: 27 March 2o25
The newest release on this list, Atomfall, proudly wears its Fallout influence on its sleeve. The game literally kicks off with a vault-opening sequence akin to Fallout 4, and its world is littered with many elements players associate with Bethesda’s franchise.
For starters, the retro futuristic aesthetic is alive and kicking in every corner of the British quarantine zone. While walking around its picturesque iteration of a nuclear disaster, you’ll also come across propaganda pieces pushing British pride instead of loyalty to Uncle Sam. From the way nature has reclaimed the dilapidated nuclear reactor to the overarching sense of mystery that permeates throughout Cumbria, that distinct Fallout vibe is impossible to miss.
If you’re looking for a new alt-history setting to wander through, Atomfall is well worth trying out. Just don’t go in expecting a Fallout clone from top to bottom since the game offers up plenty of personality of its own.
5. The Outer Worlds
- Developer(s): Obsidian Entertainment
- Release Date: 25 October 2019
Developed by Obsidian, makers of the iconic Fallout: New Vegas, The Outer Worlds lays out a devastating display of late-stage capitalism for players to witness. At its core, the game is a narrative-driven RPG with multiple open zones, rather than a vast open world. Despite the slight difference, these open zones are packed with side activities to get lost in and unmarked locations to discover. It also features strong character writing and a companion system just like Fallout.
Whether it’s the core gameplay loop or how quests are structured, The Outer Worlds can often feel like Fallout in Space – a comparison many players made around the time of its release. The combat system also bears plenty of similarities, and so does character progression.
The primary point of distinction is the setting, as Obsidian’s RPG takes players to various settlements in the solar system as opposed to a ravaged version of a real-life location. While the locations might be different, the dark humor is just as punchy, and the themes delve into the dangers of capitalism at every turn. With the game’s sequel set to release in 2025, this is the perfect time to try out the underrated original.
6. Starfield
- Developer(s): Bethesda Game Studios
- Release Date: 6 September 2023
Speaking of Fallout in Space, I’d be remiss if I didn’t mention Bethesda’s attempt at a galaxy-spanning adventure. Released in 2023 after years of anticipation, Starfield takes the Bethesda RPG formula to the skies and features all the hallmarks of the Maryland studio’s titles. From the Creation Engine’s unmistakable object physics to the lifeless NPC eyes, Fallout fans will feel right at home in the game’s star systems.
Starfield can feel like an updated Fallout 4 at times, minus the setting, of course. The gunplay feels crisper, but is similar overall. The dialogue system is barely different, and building affinity with companions involves the same steps. However, the game does lose out on delivering a strong sense of discovery by ditching a richly detailed open world in favor of procedurally generated planets. This could be a deal breaker for players who turn to Fallout for open-world exploration, but for the rest, Starfield offers dozens of hours of RPG goodness, even if it doesn’t nail every aspect.
7. Atomic Heart
- Developer(s): Mundfish Studio
- Release Date: 21 February 2023
Before you grab your pitchforks, hear me out for a second. Yes, Atomic Heart is first and foremost a Bioshock clone that borrows heavily from the franchise, down to the combat plasmids and even the lighthouse. It’s also not an RPG and doesn’t take place in a post-apocalyptic setting. With all that said, something about the game’s aesthetic and imagery reminded me of Fallout, and it’s easy to see why.
Atomic Heart kicks off with a triumphant display of nuclear-age Soviet optimism, welcoming players into an alternate history world where the USSR has leapfrogged its Cold War rival through technological advancements of all kinds. The Communist Utopia is alive and flourishing, but just like the rampant American nationalism in Fallout, something sinister is bubbling under the surface. In this case, the trouble arrives in the form of AI and robots spiraling out of human control.
The game deviates from Fallout in many ways, but the retro futurism, coupled with the satirical undertones, stands out as a glaring similarity. If you love Fallout’s central themes and aren’t turned away by a bit of jank, I strongly recommend trying out Atomic Heart.
And those are the best games like Fallout you should try out. If you agree with our picks or have some of your recommendations to shout out, make sure to leave a comment down below.
Source: Beebom
