If you’ve ever fancied wandering around a post-apocalyptic wasteland where pretty much everyone is either dangerous, slightly unhinged or trying to sell you something dodgy, Fallout 2 is right up your street.
Released for PC in 1998, Fallout 2 takes the foundations of the original Fallout and expands them into a much bigger, stranger and more open-ended RPG. It’s an old-school game through and through, but there’s something wonderfully addictive about its freedom and sheer unpredictability.
You play as a tribal descendant of the original game’s protagonist, sent on a mission to find the GECK — a device that could help save your struggling village. Naturally, what starts as a fairly straightforward task turns into a massive adventure involving rival factions, criminals, mutants, bizarre characters and enough trouble to keep you busy for hours.
The best thing about Fallout 2 is just how much freedom it gives you.
You’re not constantly being pushed down one specific path. You can talk your way through situations, fight your way through them, sneak around, steal things, gamble, trade, complete quests or accidentally make everything considerably worse.
And yes, you can absolutely make some questionable decisions.
The game’s dialogue and characters are a huge part of the experience. Fallout 2 has a wonderfully dark sense of humour, with plenty of sarcastic conversations, strange encounters and ridiculous situations. Some characters are genuinely memorable, while others are memorable simply because you can’t believe the game actually let you have that conversation.
It doesn’t take itself too seriously, either. There are plenty of references, jokes and little surprises hidden throughout the game. Some have aged better than others, but the overall writing still gives the wasteland a personality that many modern RPGs struggle to replicate.
Then there’s the character-building system, which is classic Fallout. Your SPECIAL stats, skills and perks actually matter, and the way you build your character can significantly change how you approach different situations.
Want to create a smooth-talking character who avoids unnecessary violence? You can.
Fancy building a walking tank who solves every problem with a massive weapon? Crack on.
Prefer sneaking around and nicking everything that isn’t nailed down? That’s an option too.
This flexibility is where Fallout 2 really shines. Your character isn’t simply becoming more powerful; you’re developing a particular way of interacting with the world.
The turn-based combat is another important part of the game. Compared with modern action RPGs, it can feel slow at first, particularly if you’re used to real-time combat. Once you get into it, though, the system offers plenty of tactical options. Positioning, weapon choice, action points and character skills can all make a difference.
That said, Fallout 2 definitely isn’t the easiest game to get into.
The interface can feel clunky, the early game can be rather unforgiving, and some quests aren’t exactly brilliant at explaining what you’re supposed to do. You might occasionally find yourself wandering around wondering where the bloody hell you’re meant to go next.
And that’s before the occasional old-school RPG oddities get involved.
But there’s also something charming about having to figure things out yourself. Fallout 2 doesn’t constantly hold your hand or throw objective markers all over the screen. Exploring the wasteland and discovering something completely unexpected can feel genuinely rewarding.
The world itself is packed with locations to discover, and many of them have their own characters, problems and stories. You can spend ages simply wandering around and getting distracted by side quests — which, let’s be honest, is exactly what you want from a good RPG.
Visually, Fallout 2 obviously looks dated today. The isometric graphics aren’t going to compete with modern blockbusters, but the art style still works surprisingly well. The grimy environments, strange creatures and retro-futuristic aesthetic give the game a distinctive identity.
And the soundtrack and atmosphere deserve plenty of credit too. There’s a brilliant contrast between the cheerful optimism of old-world Americana and the bleak reality of a civilisation that’s been blown to bits. That mixture of dark humour and post-apocalyptic misery is basically Fallout’s entire personality.
What really makes Fallout 2 special, though, is the feeling that your choices actually belong to you. The game doesn’t always tell you there’s a correct answer. Sometimes you make a decision, deal with the consequences and carry on.
You can be a hero, a villain, a complete menace or something in between.
And occasionally, you can be all four before lunchtime.
Fallout 2 isn’t perfect. Its age shows, the learning curve can be steep, and some mechanics require a bit of patience. But if you’re willing to spend some time getting used to its old-school design, there’s an enormous amount to enjoy.
Final verdict: 9/10
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