When discussing thebest RPGs evermade,Fallout: New Vegasis undoubtedly in the picture. Released in 2010 byObsidian Entertainment,New Vegashad the unique ability to mix the masterful worldbuilding of the originalFalloutfranchise with a distinct charm largely absent in modern gaming.
There are many reasons to considerNew Vegasa masterpiece, from its adherence to complex morals andbattling political factionsto the deep dialogue and RPG systems.
The one thing that everyone seems to agree on is that there will never be a game quite asfantastic as Fallout: New Vegas.
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Many games have similarities to the works of Tim Burton, primarily in their visual styles and presentations.
But that doesn’t stop us from looking for those flawless qualities elsewhere. After all,New Vegas’s unbridled success spawned a wave of excellent titles hoping to replicate the elements that made it so amazing.
So, whether you’re an experiencedveteran of the Mojaveor a general fan hoping to find what other games were inspired by Obsidian’s masterpiece, here is a definitive list of the games we think are most similar toFallout: New Vegas.
13Metro Exodus
Fallout, But A Dash of Soviet Energy
Metro Exodus
Metro Exodusis the crown jewel of theMetro series, taking the beloved linear shooters and blasting them into much more intricate, mini open-world environments.
The environments, sprinkled with little details and discoverable secrets, makeExodusa staple of thepost-apocalyptic survivalgenre.
While previousMetrotitles dabbled in post-apocalyptic exploration,Exodusrevels in it, creating a distinct feel compared to earlier entries.
Compared to Fallout’s aesthetic, which screams 1950s Norman Rockwell painting, Metro has always presented more of aStalkervibe.Nonetheless, the game still plunges the player into a strange and uninhabitable wasteland that’s set out to kill you at every turn.
One particularly outstanding element ofExodusis its incrediblyimmersive UI details. From looking down at your wrist for information to manually patching your gas mask,Metro Exodusturns classic survival gameplay into something more immersive.
While thestory of Exodusis still somewhat linear, with only a few small choices to make throughout the plot,a lovely cluster of factions and politics still drives the plot forward, making your average courier feel right at home.
12Pillars Of Eternity
For Those Classic CRPG Lovers
Pillars of Eternity
Pillars of Eternitywould be a solid recommendation for fans of New Vegas simply for its excellent interactive narrative and RPG design.Like many others on this list, it was created by Obsidian Entertainment, the same developers asNew Vegas.
PlayingPillars, you’ll likely immediately notice Obsidian’s signature dialogue and knack for interactive storytelling. And while someFalloutfans may rebuke this addition for itsisometric perspectiveor lack of gunplay, if you’re a fan ofNew Vegas’ story, we can assure you you’ll find a lot of similarities here.
Pillars Of Eternity shines the brightest in its wide-ranging RPG builds within its medieval fantasy setting.There are a lot of different features to play around with, and classic CRPG fans should feel right at home.
Even if you’re inexperienced with somewhat archaic CRPG systems,here’s a bright neon sign from me to try something out of your comfort zone.Additionally,Pillarshas an entirely dedicated sequel,Pillars Of Eternity 2: Deadfire, in case the original wasn’t enough for you.
The CRPG Turned First Person Adventure
If Fallout: New Vegas was Obsidian’s attempt to revive the original two Fallout titles with a modern spin,Avowedis Obsidian’s attempt to do the same but with the Pillars Of Eternity franchise.
Being Obsidian’s most recently released RPG, it’s likelyone of the finest examplesof their current proficiency at environmental design and world-building. Switching fromPillars’isometric perspective to first person also allows for much snappier combat.
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After a long hiatus working on games like Horizon Zero Dawn, John Gonzalez, the lead story writer of New Vegas, has returned to Obsidian.
In particular,Avowed’s companion charactersare some of the greatest Obsidian has ever crafted, even compared to those in New Vegas.Also, the main story of Avowed is excellent, a great starting point for veterans and newcomers to thePillarsuniverse.
As a first-person adaptation of a renowned RPG series,Avowedhas starkly similar goals toNew Vegas, and it is definitely worth checking out as part of Obsidian’s modern catalog.
10STALKER 2: Heart of Chornobyl
Feel Comfortable In The Uncomfortable
STALKER 2: Heart of Chornobyl
With how united theStalkerandFalloutfandoms seem to be, it would have been a surprise if one of theStalkergames didn’t make its way onto this list. After all, one quick search throughFallout modswill bring up dozens of fan-made add-onsinspired by the Stalker franchise.
While theoriginal Stalker gamesare masterpieces in their own right,Stalker 2is now the franchise’s standout entry.Its beautiful graphics arelikely the closest equivalent we’ll get to a modern Fallout entry for the next few years.
Like its source material,Stalker 2delved deep into aspects of extraterrestrialscience fiction surrealism, similar to the mutated lands ofFalloutpopulated by mutants and ghouls.
The indecipherable nature ofStalkerlore always leaves some open mysteries, making exploring the Chornobyl exclusion zone as unsettling as it is bizarre.
Above all else, bothStalkerandFalloutare notable for making us enjoy this sense of being uncomfortable while adventuring.This ability to make uninhabitable placesfeel oddly cozyis precisely what makes Stalker 2 a complete match to New Vegas.
9UnderRail
Classic Fallout Meets Metro
WhileUnderrailwould easily be at the top of a list of gamesreminiscent of the original Fallout, it still makes its way onto this list because ofFallout: New Vegas’ massive connection to the originalFalloutgames, both in lore and gameplay.
Underrailhas you delving into a deep, eroded underground network of tunnels and metros, andlike New Vegas, much of the plot is focused on humanity’s efforts to rebuild within such ahorrible, wretched landscape.
The turn-based strategy combat ofUnderrailfeels distinctly methodical, and likeNew Vegas, a lot of the fun is found in creating ahighly specified buildwhere each play-through’s character feels utterly distinct from the last.
Additionally, the underground factions, mixed with the odd psychological mysteries and abilities everyday people seem to gain, create a weird world not dissimilar toNew Vegas.
WhileUnderrailis probably an odd pick for both its smaller team and smaller budget,this game reeks of Fallout, from the quirky packs of mercenaries to the psychological terrors ready to jump out at any corner.
8Fallout 3
The Canvas For New Vegas
In terms of actual gameplay, nothing will ever feel as similar toNew VegasasFallout 3.After all, Fallout 3 is basically the palette Bethesda handed to Obsidian to craft New Vegas.
That said,Fallout 3is still a much different game thanNew Vegas, both for good and for worse.
Whether you like them or not,you have to side with the Brotherhood of Steelto reach the main ending, which may seem pathetic compared toNew Vegas’s affinity to let you decide the fate of any faction of the wasteland.
That said, if you’re looking for a meaty open world to explore, similar weapon and combat systems toNew Vegas, and are open to Bethesda’s form of storytelling,Fallout 3 is undoubtedly the closest game to New Vegas, specifically regarding straight-up gameplay feel.
7Disco Elysium
Battle Your Own Mind
Disco Elysium
Disco Elysiumis likely the most disjointed fromNew Vegason this list, lacking any similarity toNew Vegasother than itsrobust dialogue systemand storyline. That said, it’s hard to find two games that use dialogue as masterfully asDiscoandNew Vegas.
In Disco Elysium, you’ll likely be talking your way in and out of every investigation, using both wit and perception to understand the world around you.And likeNew Vegas,Disco Elysiumgives you the insane ability toshape your characterhowever you see fit.
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In this surreal interpretation of detective gameplay, you’ll consult events with voices within your head, the task often deciding which internal voice takes the reins.
The story becomes more metaphysical than you may think, becoming more about a deep,emotional self-conflictthan a presumed detective murder plot.
What Disco Elysium also takes in strides that New Vegas fans treasure is its adherence to politics and philosophy, which makes conversing with NPCs feel like a challenge of not only dice rolls but also ideologies and morals.
6Wasteland 3
The Nuclear Winter You’ve Always Wished For
Wasteland 3
In terms of theming and aesthetic, theWastelandseries andWasteland 3, in particular, are likely some of the closest titles we’ll get to a modern-dayFallout.Wasteland 3almost feels like a tale of alternate history, the isometric modernFalloutgames we never got.
In terms of storytelling and gameplay,Wasteland 3delivers that typical post-apocalypse experience with a few quirks to differentiate it from the competition. Similar to titles likeXCOM 2, the turn-based strategy combat system offers exciting encounters where you grow attached to the party you build.
Set in the icy nuclear wasteland of post-apocalyptic Colorado, patrolling Wasteland 3 almost feels like that nuclear winter New Vegas NPCs keep wishing for.
While the story never reaches narrative depths like New Vegas or Planescape: Torment, plenty of interactive moments and some political commentaries give Wasteland 3 a bit of edge,similar to thepolitics found throughout Fallout.
WhileWasteland 3fails to reach the top of our list, its post-apocalypse Colorado setting is likely the closest option to a game that truly feels likeFalloutin terms of its core aesthetic and lore.
Fallout And Stalker’s English Cousin
Before launch,Atomfallwas constantly compared to bothStalkerandFallout. Rebellion Developments’ modern take on post-apocalyptic gameplay definitely took some inspiration from these titles but within a distinct northern English setting.
While the developers ultimately proved that Atomfall stands on its own, they even agreed that “Fallout New Vegas was most relevant"when discussing post-apocalyptic gameplay inspiration inone of our talkswith them.
When playingAtomfall, the similarities are blaring, such as the ability to kill any NPC in the open world and the excellent structure of deciphering the core mystery, which are two facets even the best RPGs tend to struggle with.
Atomfall is the lower-budget version of Fallout fans have always wanted.Although not set in the typical American setting,it’s a recent gemthat Fallout fans will absolutely love.
4Planescape: Torment
I Like It Better As A Book
Planescape: Torment
Planescape: Tormentis likely one of those games you’ve never played but can’t stop hearing about from idiots like me; one of those games so detailed and rich in story thatit was novelizedinto a book many consider a masterpiece.
But what makesPlanescapefascinating is its ability to delve into who you are as a person.Like New Vegas, it constantly asks the player to make decisions of either a political or moral nature to stretch the goals of what they actually believe.
Sure,Planescapelacks in combat and puzzles, but its unwavering ability to tell something rich and deep is what has hacks like me constantly mentioning it.
Technically, the game isan RPG in the DnD universe but purposefully made without any traditional DnD elementsto create a more surreal and fascinating world.
I can’t help but compare this toFallout: New Vegas, which takes the well-known Fallout franchise and spins it on its head. Without the need to shamelessly introduce basic components likeThe Great Waror “what is a Ghoul,“New Vegascould begin to twist the fantasy elements into something more profound.
Planescape: Tormentis closer toDisco Elysium’s version of a book-like, dialogue-heavy narrative (Discowas heavily inspired byPlanescape, after all), but it holds many similarities toNew Vegasthat fans like me seem to absolutely adore.
