The 50 Best RPGs Of All Time

16 – Fallout 3

Developer: Bethesda Game Studios

Initial Release Date: October 28, 2008

Why it’s one of the best RPGs: Maybe you loved Fallout 4, and that’s just fine, but it still doesn’t beat the glory that was Fallout 3. After escaping from Vault 101, a nuclear fallout shelter that saved your life and the lives of a thousand others from nuclear doom, you go on a search for your father across the toxic, irradiated, and deadly Wasteland. You’ll meet other survivors struggling to scrape together a living in a hellish world, along with all sorts of bizarre mutants and monsters eager to put an early end to your adventures.

Fallout 3 is brilliant from all angles. It features the solid, quirky writing that’s become a staple of the franchise, backed up with a combat system and stats that meld seamlessly into the universe. SPECIAL and VATS both make stats and shooter combat accessible to those less comfortable with the playstyle. A wide variety of weapons and upgrades scattered throughout the Wasteland ensure that there are plenty of upgrades worth exploring for–and it’s definitely an explorable world. It’s Washington D.C.! Only, you know, nuclear. Enjoy the familiar sights and piles of toxic rubble as you wander the Wasteland with Dogmeat by your side.

Next: 15 - Diablo II