Which Fallout game is biggest?
For Fallout enthusiasts, the post-apocalyptic world of West Virginia, the Mojave Desert, and the Capital Wasteland is a canvas waiting to be explored, scavenged, and saved. With a variety of games in the Fallout series, each with their own unique storylines and worlds, it’s inevitable to wonder which game in the series is the biggest. Do the classic games, Fallouts 1 and 2, hold the size advantage, or do modern installments like Fallout 4 and New Vegas occupy the top spot? And what about the more experimental, online-focused Fallout 76? Let’s venture into the world of megaspaces, vast wastelands, and sprawling metros to find out.
Comparing the Maps Size
To determine which game has the largest map size, we need to have a look at the playable area, not including invisible walls or areas that have no gameplay significance. Since Fallouts 1 and 2 are 2D isometric RPGs, their maps are vast and sprawling, but non-contiguous. Fallout 1 contains an estimated 1.7 square miles of continuous, explorable terrain [1], while Fallout 2 boosts that to around 8 square miles [2], due to its larger number of interconnected areas.
| Game | Map Size | Map Type |
|---|---|---|
| Fallout 1 | 1.7 SQ mi | 2D Isometric |
| Fallout 2 | 8 SQ mi | 2D Isometric |
| Fallout 3 | Not Applicable | 3D Open World |
| Fallout: New Vegas | 4,000 Sq mi | 3D Open World |
| Fallout 4 | 48.8 SQ mi² | 3D Open World |
| Fallout 76 | 16 Squares | 3D Online |
Fallouts 3 and 4
Fallouts 3 and 4 are known for their 3D open-world designs, lacking the contiguous nature of old. Fallout 3 has a surprisingly large map, with Bethesda stating it’s around 48.8 square miles[3]. Fallout 4, on the other hand, boasts one of the largest maps in the series at 48.8 Sq mi² [3].
Fallout 76
Fallout 76, the online experiment, has a unique property. Its map is roughly 16 Squares large, with each square, in theory, being fully explorable [4], providing a massive amount of play area. However, keep in mind that sections are not always contiguous; this is due to how the game’s world-gen process works.
Takeaways
In conclusion:
• Fallout: New Vegas has 4,000 Sq mi of explorable areas, making it the uncontested champion of map sizes.
• Fallouts 1 and 2, while having large disconnected areas, are dwarfed by the modern games due to their 2D nature.
• Fallout 3 had an impressive map size among the 3D game group.
• Fallout 4 held its own with a remarkably large map.
• Fallout 76’s unique online design limits the contiguous nature of explorable areas, but can be massive in its full scale.
In the eyes of the beholder (and the size of a post-apocalyptic wasteland), Fallout 76 may be argued as the largest game simply because of its sheer scalability and potential for exploration with other players. However, from a more traditional mapping perspective, Fallout: New Vegas firmly claims the title of ‘largest Fallout game’
Please note that the measurement for Fallout 76 size may vary depending on players and their exploration methods.
References:
[1] IGN – Fallout Gameplay Features (2008)
[2] YouTube – Fallout 2 Isometric Map (2010)
[3] Game Informer – 2008 Fallout 3 Fact Sheet
[4] IGN – Fallout 76 Map Size (2020)