What is the Oldest Fallout?
The Fallout series is a beloved franchise in the world of video games, known for its engaging storyline, complex characters, and post-apocalyptic setting. With numerous games and spin-offs released over the years, it’s not uncommon for new players to get confused about the timeline and order of the series. In this article, we’ll take a look at the history of Fallout and answer the question: what is the oldest Fallout?
The Early Days
The first Fallout game was released in 1997 by Interplay Entertainment, a legendary game developer at the time. The game was set in a post-apocalyptic world in the year 2161, 84 years after a global nuclear war had devastated the planet. Players took on the role of a Vault Dweller, tasked with retrieving a water chip to save their underground community.
Wasteland: A Spiritual Successor
Interestingly, the first Fallout game was inspired by the classic 1988 game Wasteland, developed by Interplay Productions. Wasteland is often considered the spiritual predecessor to Fallout, and its gameplay mechanics, storyline, and setting influenced the development of the original Fallout.
Fallout 1 and 2: The Golden Era
Fallout 1 and Fallout 2 were released in 1997 and 1998, respectively, and are considered some of the best games in the series. They introduced the iconic Vault Boy, a character who would become a symbol of the Fallout franchise. These games cemented the series’ reputation for storytelling, exploration, and tactical combat.
Key Features of the Original Fallouts
Here are some key features of the original Fallout games:
- Isometric perspective and 2D graphics
- Complex storytelling with multiple endings
- Character development and leveling system
- Exploration of a post-apocalyptic world
- Turn-based combat system
Timeline: Where Does Each Game Fit In?
Here’s a brief summary of the timeline for the original Fallout games:
| Game | Year | Time Period |
|---|---|---|
| Wasteland | 1988 | Post-apocalyptic future |
| Fallout | 1997 | 2161 (84 years after the Great War) |
| Fallout 2 | 1998 | 2241 (80 years after Fallout 1) |
What About Fallout 76?
Released in 2018, Fallout 76 is a bit of an outlier in the series. It’s an online multiplayer game set in a post-apocalyptic West Virginia, 25 years after a nuclear war. While it’s still part of the Fallout franchise, its story and gameplay mechanics differ significantly from the original games.
In Conclusion
In conclusion, the oldest Fallout game is Wasteland (1988), a game that laid the foundation for the entire franchise. The first Fallout game, released in 1997, followed closely, and Fallout 2 in 1998 further solidified the series’ reputation for storytelling and gameplay. When considering the original Fallout games, Wasteland and Fallout 1 and 2 stand out as classics in their own right.