The very first Fallout game was released back in 1997. In the years since, the franchise has gone on to become the pinnacle of post-apocalyptic gaming. Once upon a time, Fallout was a top-down, isometric, traditional RPG title that was complex, immersive, and exclusive to PC. It has changed immeasurably over the last quarter of a century, but the older titles are still accessible and very popular among retro gaming fans.
However, sometimes there's an itch that needs to be scratched, and the original Fallout games may not cut it. Thankfully, if a player wants a similar experience to the classic Fallout titles, there are plenty of games to choose from, some of which are brand new to the market.
7 Wasteland
Wasteland is probably the closest thing a player can get to the original Fallout games, given that the original Wasteland was a key inspiration for Fallout itself. The first Wasteland game was released in 1988, and, since then, the franchise has been expanded, including modern-day remakes of the original games.
With immersive RPG features, an intense story, a top-down, isometric style, and of course, an apocalyptic wasteland as the setting, Wasteland as a franchise will scratch that retro Fallout itch. The franchise boasts some of the best games like classic Fallout, some of which arguably surpass their Bethesda-developed peers.
6 ATOM RPG
ATOM RPG was released in 2018, and it's directly inspired by Fallout and Wasteland, among other post-apocalyptic titles. It's a survival game set in a vast sandbox, but unlike Fallout, which is a future-focused title, it's based in the 1980s.
While Fallout addresses the end of times in the United States, ATOM RPG is focused firmly on the Soviet Union. It's a diverse, well-built, and well-reviewed title that any retro Fallout fan will be able to get comfortable with in a relatively short amount of time.
5 Encased
Encased is a sci-fi RPG that's set in an alternate reality, based loosely on the 1970s. It was released in 2021 and has been compared numerous times to Fallout - particularly the first few games - because of its combat style, top-down perspective, and core mechanics.
For fans of exploration, there's a massive open world to uncover, and there are several elements found in Fallout that are present and fundamental in Encased. For instance, there's a companion system, a choice and consequence system, and an RPG style that's conducive to different builds.
4 Broken Roads
At the time of writing, Broken Roads is marked as coming soon on Steam, but it's definitely one to keep an eye on. It's set in Australia shortly after an apocalypse - much like Mad Max - but it's a top-down, turn-based game with a unique, innovative morality system and a perfect combination of classic and modern RPG mechanics.
From the developers themselves, there are claims that Broken Roads boasts authentic Australian locations, mirroring the real world in a way that Fallout has for decades. There's a party system that makes for wide-open engagements, and there's an opportunity to develop a character across countless hours of play.
3 UnderRail
UnderRail is much more old school than its competitors, released in 2015 but looking like something much older. It's a retro game at heart, and, at first glance, it could be mistaken for one of the original Fallout games. It's a classic isometric RPG with a keen focus on exploration and innovative combat, which is part and parcel of the Fallout franchise.
Like Metro, the Russian post-apocalyptic franchise, UnderRail is set in a subway system. There's nothing left on the surface now, and the world is crumbling, but the metro systems remain, and that's where the game is set.
2 New Blood's CRPG
New Blood Interactive is (at the time of writing) developing a CRPG that's closely inspired by the retro Fallout titles. It looks identical to 1997's Fallout, from the posture of the protagonist to the dialogue scenes, and from the combat mechanics to the HUD. There's a chance some may claim it's a carbon copy, but it's more of a sci-fi title that aims to improve upon Fallout's original flaws.
For instance, the developers have claimed that it'll make combat much faster and more engaging than the original Fallout games. Remarkably, there are team members working on the New Blood CRPG who, once upon a time, worked on some of the older Fallout projects.
1 The Ascent
The Ascent is a cyberpunk-themed, co-op-action RPG that's set in a dystopian world. It was released in 2021, and, in the past, it has been described as mind-blowing. With incredible visual effects and intense, high-octane combat, it's much more exciting and visceral than the original Fallout games, but it's still a great alternative.
It's not exactly a post-apocalyptic title, but owing to the events in the game, it's close to being one. It still looks like an old-school Fallout game, boasting that instantly-recognizable top-down perspective, and, for that reason, it's a fine option for anyone looking for games that are like Fallout.