Fallout Games Play Order Guide

If you want to play the Fallout series in a way that makes sense, the best order is to start with Fallout 3, then Fallout: New Vegas, then Fallout 4, and optionally Fallout 76. This order balances story continuity, gameplay evolution, and avoids the dated mechanics of the earliest games for newcomers.

Formula

The calculator above works out your average pace and speed for a run or ride. You enter the total time taken and the distance covered. The pace is the time per unit of distance (minutes per kilometer), and the speed is the distance per hour.

Pace = Total time (minutes) ÷ Distance (km)
Speed = Distance (km) ÷ (Total time (minutes) ÷ 60)

Variables:
t = total time in minutes
d = distance in kilometers
Pace is in minutes per kilometer (min/km)
Speed is in kilometers per hour (km/h)

Worked Example

Using the default values: you finish a 10 km run in 50 minutes.

1. Pace = 50 ÷ 10 = 5.00 min/km
2. Speed = 10 ÷ (50 ÷ 60) = 10 ÷ 0.8333 = 12.00 km/h

So your average pace is 5 minutes per kilometer, and your average speed is 12 kilometers per hour. The calculator rounds both to two decimal places.

Why the Order Matters

Fallout is a series of action role-playing games set in a post-apocalyptic retro-futuristic world. The main single-player titles are Fallout, Fallout 2, Fallout 3, Fallout: New Vegas, Fallout 4, and Fallout 76. Each game has its own self-contained story, but they share a connected timeline and recurring factions like the Brotherhood of Steel and the Enclave.

Playing in release order lets you see how the mechanics evolve, but the early games (Fallout 1 and 2) are top-down isometric RPGs with very different controls and difficulty. For most players, starting with the 3D games is more accessible. The order below gives you a smooth difficulty curve and story flow without requiring you to play the oldest titles first.

Recommended Play Order

• Fallout 3 (2008) – Start here. It introduces the 3D world, the V.A.T.S. targeting system, and the Capital Wasteland. Its story is self-contained and sets up the tone of the modern series.
• Fallout: New Vegas (2010) – Play this second. It uses the same engine as Fallout 3 but improves the writing, choices, and factions. It is set in the Mojave Wasteland and is widely praised for its narrative depth.
• Fallout 4 (2015) – Third. It adds base building and a more action-oriented combat system. The story takes place in the Commonwealth (Boston area) and continues the timeline after Fallout 3.
• Fallout 76 (2018) – Optional. It is an online multiplayer game set in West Virginia, and it plays differently from the single-player titles. You can play it solo, but it requires an internet connection and has no traditional NPCs in the base game (though later updates added human NPCs).

If you want to experience the original games, play Fallout (1997) and Fallout 2 (1998) before Fallout 3. They are turn-based and have a steep learning curve, but they give you the full backstory of the Vaults and the Super Mutants. Many players skip them and still understand the later games perfectly.

How to Choose Your Starting Point

Your choice depends on what you value most in a game.

• Story and choices – Start with New Vegas. It has the most branching dialogue and faction reputation systems.
• Exploration and atmosphere – Start with Fallout 3. The world is dense and full of environmental storytelling.
• Modern gameplay and building – Start with Fallout 4. It has the smoothest combat and the settlement system.
• Classic RPG experience – Start with Fallout 1. It is the original, but be ready for a slower pace and dated graphics.

If you are completely new to the series, Fallout 4 is often the easiest entry point because of its streamlined mechanics. But many fans recommend Fallout 3 or New Vegas for a more traditional RPG feel. There is no wrong answer; each game stands alone.

Common Mistakes and Misconceptions

One common mistake is thinking you must play the games in chronological order of the in-game timeline. The games are not a continuous story; each has a different protagonist and location. For example, Fallout 3 takes place in 2277, New Vegas in 2281, and Fallout 4 in 2287. But you do not need to know the earlier events to enjoy the later ones.

Another misconception is that Fallout 76 is a full multiplayer shooter like other battle royale games. It is actually a cooperative survival RPG where you can play alone or with friends. It has no traditional campaign, but it has quests and a world to explore.

Also, don’t feel pressured to play the first two games if you find them too difficult. Many players have only played the 3D titles and still consider themselves Fallout fans. The series is designed so that each game is accessible to newcomers.

Comparing the Games

Here is a quick comparison of the main titles:

• Fallout (1997) – Isometric, turn-based, deep dialogue, very punishing. Set in California.
• Fallout 2 (1998) – Same engine, bigger world, more humor, improved combat. Set in California and Nevada.
• Fallout 3 – First-person 3D, real-time combat with V.A.T.S., large open world, moral choices. Set in Washington D.C.
• Fallout: New Vegas – Same engine as Fallout 3, but with better writing, more factions, and a more reactive world. Set in Nevada.
• Fallout 4 – Updated engine, base building, voiced protagonist, more action-oriented. Set in Boston.
• Fallout 76 – Online multiplayer, survival elements, no human NPCs initially, later updates added them. Set in West Virginia.

If you care about graphics, Fallout 4 and 76 are the most modern. If you care about role-playing depth, New Vegas is often considered the best. If you want a classic challenge, the first two games are unique.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need to play Fallout 1 and 2 first?

No. The stories are mostly standalone. You will miss some references and lore, but you can understand and enjoy the later games without playing the originals. Many players start with Fallout 3 or 4 and never go back.

Is Fallout 76 worth playing solo?

Yes, you can play Fallout 76 entirely solo. The game scales enemies to your level, and you can ignore other players. It has a story, but it is more about exploration and survival. Some quests are easier with a group, but solo is viable.

Which Fallout game has the best story?

Most fans point to Fallout: New Vegas. It offers the most player choice, with multiple factions and endings that react to your actions. Fallout 3 and 4 have good stories, but they are more linear.

Can I skip Fallout 3 and go straight to New Vegas?

Yes. New Vegas is set in a different region and has a different protagonist. You will not be lost. However, playing Fallout 3 first helps you get used to the game mechanics, since New Vegas uses the same engine.

What is the correct chronological order by in-game timeline?

The in-game timeline order is: Fallout 76 (2102), Fallout (2161), Fallout 2 (2241), Fallout 3 (2277), Fallout: New Vegas (2281), Fallout 4 (2287). But playing in this order means starting with an online game and then jumping to a 1997 isometric RPG, which is not ideal for most players.

Are the Fallout games connected to each other?

They share a universe and lore, but each game has a self-contained story. You will see recurring factions, locations, and items, but you do not need to play previous games to understand the plot. There are references and cameos, but they are not essential.

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in t | Finish time | min | 50 | 0
in d | Distance | km | 10 | 0
out pace | Average pace | min/km | t / d | 2
out speed | Average speed | km/h | d / (t / 60) | 2