Bethesda is famous for revolutionizing open-world RPG games like Fallout and making them mainstream. People love the idea of living a fantasy where the central focus and plot are around them; that is what Fallout offers.
Why Do People Love Games Like Fallout?
Open-world RPG games like Fallout puts players front and center of epic stories. Players always have a degree of control over the outcome of events because of the non-linear elements. The choices players make lead to branching narrative paths with alternative endings.
The character customization down to the most obscure details gives a sense of absolute freedom. Players choose how their character looks, dresses, what powers and traits they possess, and their personality, even their voice.
Exploring the vast sections of the world map is a delight, and the hidden secrets are the icing on the cake. Combat in games like Fallout is another area where players have multiple attack options. Using a combination of weapons, physical skills, enhanced abilities, and magic to chain powerful combos is a wholly satisfying feeling.
In some cases, combat is avoidable altogether. Perks such as intimidation and persuasion often help players complete quests without resorting to killing anyone or anything they encounter. Games like Fallout also have crafting mechanics that help create unique armor, weapons, and items.
Are There Any Similar Games Like Fallout?
People often ask if there are other titles in the same category as Fallout. Well, we’re here to tell you that yes! There are games like Fallout. Let’s look at 8 great alternatives that will scratch your open-world RPG itch.
8. Elden Ring
Elden Ring is the most well-known and latest offering from the (masochist) genius and loremaster (cheapskate) Mr. Miyazaki, the creator of Dark Souls. Players go on an epic quest where the world’s fate hangs in the balance. The plot is about reuniting the shards of the titular Elden Ring from deities causing chaos within their domains.
Elden Ring’s non-linear level design allows players to play the game at their own pace. If a particular area feels difficult to pass through or any boss repeatedly pummels you, bypassing them is possible. In Elden Ring, players can create unique builds that suit their playstyle, and the combat is equally fun and challenging.
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The enemy variety is impressive; Each one needs a different method to beat. The game tests the player’s button precision, patience, and muscle memory skills. Exploration is essential for progression and discovering shortcuts that make life easier. The open world of Eldern Ring is beautifully crafted and ripe for players to venture out and find hidden goodies.
How Is Elden Ring Similar To Games Like Fallout?
Okay, we know what you’re thinking. Elden Ring has a medieval setting, while Fallout is a post-apocalyptic one; how are they similar? The answer is simple, Elden Ring is perhaps the most open-world game out of every other game in existence. Open-world gameplay is synonymous with Fallout, so in this way, Elden Ring is exceptionally similar to games like Fallout.
Elden Ring is also an excellent RPG where players have unprecedented levels of gameplay freedom, like Fallout. No invisible barriers prevent players from accessing any area, another trait of games like Fallout.
7. Mass Effect 1 (Mass Effect Legendary Edition)
We’ve never shied away from expressing our love for space-themed settings in video games, and we’re not starting now. For the next entry on our list, we present the beloved Mass Effect 1 from the Mass Effect Legendary Edition. The first game of the series is perfect for gamers who want something unique but similar to Fallout.
Mass Effect 1 is a space epic where our character, Commander Shepard, is at the heart of a galactic conflict. The players get a mission to hunt down an agent of the galactic council serving the threat to all organic life. The musical score sets the mood and makes players pumped for missions throughout the galaxies.
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The open-world exploration, solid third-person cover-based shooting, and sci-fi skills add fun to the gameplay. Mass Effect 1 emphasizes exploration; the distress signals are side-missions that players can go on with their memorable companions. Every companion’s insight provides a new perspective on the different missions and sometimes affects outcomes.
How Is Mass Effect 1 Similar To Games Like Fallout?
Not everything is exactly the same between Mass Effect 1 and games like Fallout, but there is enough common ground. For one thing, both have vast open-world maps to explore, and both are action-oriented RPG games. Players can customize the main character’s appearance to however they like and the class type for combat scenarios.
Mass Effect 1 has an excellent cast of characters accompanying Shepard; we can even form romantic relations with them. Similarly, the latest Fallout games have companion NPCs the player can romance; they grant perks and buffs. The similarities between the two series are enough that Mass Effect 1 is an excellent alternative to games like Fallout.
6. Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim
You hear the words open-world RPG, and instantly the mind thinks about the Elder Scrolls games. We’re going with the 5th mainline entry, over a decade old but still as popular as it was released.
Elder Scrolls V is an open-world RPG set in the region of Skyrim and is the tale of the Dragonborn. Our character is the incarnation of the Dragonborn, who rises to power to slay dragons. The different factions attempt to gain favor with our character, and we have the final say on who to side with.
As for the gameplay, literally, anything is possible, a fact made especially true with the custom Mods now available. Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim allows players to choose from different races that impact how NPCs perceive the main character. The combat is highly enjoyable and intense, with players able to switch between melee and magic on the fly.
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Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim has an enormous open-world map, certainly one of the biggest in gaming history. When new players explore its beautiful and exotic environments, it’s a delight like no other. Elder Scroll V: Skyrim’s stealth mechanics and leveling system are game-changers and non-traditional.
How Is Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim Similar To Games Like Fallout?
For people who don’t know, the creative studios behind Elder Scrolls and Fallout games are the same. Unsurprisingly, the two games share many similarities, not to mention Easter Eggs. Both titles have distinct identities but share quality gameplay features like expansive progression systems and flexible combat styles.
Another shared mechanic between the two series is the option for players to use first and third-person perspectives. The stories take players across the massive world and have a shared continuity with the lore from previous entries. Yet, each game is new-player friendly, meaning knowledge of previous games isn’t required to enjoy the story of either game.
5. Final Fantasy XV
Having a list of open-world RPG games without a Final Fantasy entry is a travesty, which is why we have Final Fantasy XV. The latest entry in the long-running franchise is well worth your time because of the open world and fantastic gameplay. The map area is so large that players get a car to travel across and explore every new region. With full car refueling realism!
Final Fantasy XV is an epic saga with political marriage, cringe emo self-loathing and wacky Japanese humor. Plus, the combat mechanics are fast-paced and extremely fun, where you’ll chain together powerful attacks in a visual spectacle. Final Fantasy XV perfectly understands what the people want, Chocobos! The cute yellow rideable giant birds are synonymous with the franchise.
Final Fantasy XV has a complex learning curve regarding the character’s leveling system and acquiring new skills. It takes time to get the hang of things, but messing up every enemy you encounter with powerful new skills is fun.
How Is Final Fantasy XV Similar to Games Like Fallout?
Final Fantasy XV is a wonderful option for Fallout fans to check out, mainly because of the many shared traits. The big expansive open world map is a parallel in both games, and the side-quests that offer various excuses to explore the said open world are always great.
The stories may be linear in Final Fantasy XV compared to games like Fallout, but that’s no issue. Even linear stories can prove to be powerful, fun, and immersive. Plus, the action picks up at the end when all the twists get revealed. Fallout has its own shocking moments of unpredictable outcomes, so in that sense, both games are pretty similar.
4. Greedfall
Spiders are our current favorite RPG game developer, and with Greedfall, they achieved lightning in a bottle.
The game is a modern-day classic and proves that ingenuity and fresh ideas in the gaming industry aren’t dead yet. GreedfGreedfall’sng is in the backdrop of a plague called Malichor that’s running rampant in the human population. The protagonist represents the merchant’s guild sailing to an exotic island, hoping to find a cure.
The influence of politics and faction warfare soon becomes apparent with our status as Legate of the Congregation of merchants. We must navigate dangerous situations that will make our reputation with the factions and natives rise or drop. As for combat, Greedfall has a hybrid leveling system that enables players to create character builds that suits them.
Melee weapons look devastating when players land a hit, and armor sets are fashionable and practical. Magic is our favorite method of dispatching enemies with a flurry of powerful blasts, and using traps is always fun. The gorgeous open world is breathtaking, and each new area is full of secrets that players must discover to complete side-quests. The latter half of Greedfall has one of the best story twists in gaming history.
How Is Greedfall Similar to Games Like Fallout?
Both games share several thematic settings; while not an exact copy, there are common elements. For instance, Fallout is set in the aftermath of nuclear devastation, whereas Greedfall has a plague causing massive deaths. Both are equally miserable and depressing in terms of the state of the world.
Greedfall borrows from Fallout’s hybrid leveling system and brings its originality to the formula. It’s clear that there is an homage to Fallout in Greedfall. Besides that, both games have different factions vying for political advantage. Whether or not they achieve their ambitions depends on the player’s actions.
From so many thematic commonalities, it’s safe to assume that Greedfall is similar to games like Fallout.
3. Fable III
When it comes to open-world RPGs, a particular game series is often overlooked these days, which is a shame. The series we’re referring to is the Fable franchise. Since we’re still waiting on Fable IV while Microsoft gets its house in order, we’ll talk about Fable III instead.
Released in 2010, Microsoft delivered one of the most compelling games that innovated the RPG system. Fable III blurred the lines of the gameplay between a story-driven action game and an RPG. The fusion of genres resulted in a masterpiece that’s still a benchmark for the gaming industry.
Players fill in the shoes of a lowly protagonist who goes on an epic quest to overthrow his tyrannical brother’s rule. There are choices, each with a consequence that players later discover in the game. The combat action is highly addictive, especially with critical hit animations and the game’s use of magical powers.
Players must complete side-quests and other jobs to earn gold, which is critical in the end-game. The morality system and player choices determine if you will get a good ending or bad. There are tons of side activities that players can choose to engage in to keep the experience fresh. The game’s writing is hilarious, but otherwise, it will catch players by surprise with an emotional gut punch.
How Is Fable III Similar To Games Like Fallout?
Fable III is in a fantasy land with the previous game lore as canon. Fallout games also share a rich continuity history that carries on between the games. The two titles are highly similar in this sense unless the rumors are true and Fable IV is a reboot.
Another similarity between Fable III and games like Fallout is that players can easily switch between attacks. In Fable III switching between heavy melee weapons, or light, sharp blades, pistols or rifles, and magical gauntlets is a blast. Fallout’s combat has a similar vibe with refined and feral visuals, where players switch between multiple firearms with powerful effects.
2. Legend of Zelda: Breath of The Wild
Okay, so the first Nintendo entry on our list is cause for celebration, rightfully so, because it’s a big one. Legend of Zelda: Breath of The Wild is the debut game of the series on the current Nintendo console, the Switch. Providing breathtaking visuals, a timeless art style, challenging combat, and intricate puzzles that players will dedicate hours to completing.
Legend of Zelda: Breath of The Wild delivers one of the most gorgeously designed worlds, even by modern gaming standards. The exploration aspect is well worth diving into, and the means of traversal are entertaining. The non-linear characteristic of the game allows players to complete the dungeons in any order.
The boss fights in Legend of Zelda: Breath of The Wild are tough and will give Dark Souls (git gud) experts a run for their money. The game has many enemies, but the main hero, Link, has several weapons to deal with them. There is a perfect balance of challenging combat and fun attacks that look spectacular when performed on the screen.
How Is Legend of Zelda: Breath of The Wild Similar To Other Fallout Games?
Both games have an excellent atmosphere when players go into the wilderness in both games. The spacious and lively environments hide enemies, hidden items, NPCs, and animals. Fallout and Legend of Zelda: Breath of The Wild allows various modes of traversal, and both have stamina systems incorporated to balance things out.
The NPCs in both titles provide excellent side-quests that supplement the enjoyment of the games. They have odd personalities and give the games their charms. The side-quests in games like Fallout also provide awesome rewards that make them worth pursuing.
1. Borderlands 1 (Borderlands Handsome Jack Collection)
Is it any surprise that Borderlands tops the list of games like Fallout? Because the two series couldn’t be more identical. Today, we’re going with the modern iteration of the first game in the series from the Handsome Jack Collection.
Borderlands 1 is the one that kickstarted a ridiculously addictive franchise, with over-the-top violence and humor meshed excellently together. The gunplay is top-notch, and the weapon variety in Borderlands 1 still holds up, despite seeming simple compared to later games in the series.
Related Article: All Borderlands Games Ranked From Worst To Best.
The vault hunters are always quirky characters with unique skill sets and playstyles, giving the game endless replayability. The enemies may seem silly but don’t let that fool you into dropping your guard; they pack a punch. The leveling system is skill-tree based, and each time a character levels up, it’s a delight to see what power is attainable.
The environments are diverse, and with the addition of Scooter’s Catch-a-Ride booths, traveling is made much easier. The loot system is random, at least in the first playthrough, but progressively better gear unlocks after new-game plus. The bosses also become more challenging, and it’s like a whole (literal new game).
How Is Borderlands 1 Similar To Games Like Fallout?
Borderlands 1 is like a sister game to Fallout. Both are post-apocalyptic settings in the wasteland. Dangerous outlaws and deadly creatures roam the Borderlands, and it’s a kill or get killed in both games.
Another familiar setting is the number of guns in both games. One of the weapon vendors in Borderlands 1 has a tagline of “Is shooting not enough? Set them on fire!”. Fallout games are similar, where possible gun upgrades can drastically alter their properties. Mixing and matching different upgrade combinations is a fun experiment.
So many other similarities make Borderlands 1 an excellent alternative to games like Fallout.
Conclusion
Wow, that took a while. But we’re at the finishing line of our list of games like Fallout. We hope you enjoyed going through it; please share your thoughts in the comments below. Other games definitely could be on our list. We had to remove a lot of options based on our preferences.
If you like other game recommendations, check out our list of 12 Open-World Survival Games Like ARK: Survival Evolved.
