Survival in a post-apocalyptic world is one of the staples of modern science-fiction. While the majority of role-playing games (RPGs) grew out of the burgeoning fantasy genre ignited by Tolkien’s rich mythology, only one game series memorably and creatively exploited the potential of an Earth devastated by nuclear war. Fallout originally appeared in 1997 – regarded by fans as inspired by the 1988 game Wasteland – and rapidly gained a huge following which appreciated its novelty, its grimly realised environment, and its hallmark dark humour. Now, after four years in development, comes its third incarnation.


The basic premise of the Fallout series is that a worldwide nuclear war occurred on 23 October 2077, laying waste to cities and the infrastructure of modern civilisation.