As the Fallout Amazon Series continues to captivate new and returning players, many are eager to revisit their favorite titles or delve into the post-apocalyptic world for the first time. However, given that some games in the series don't follow a strict numerical order, it can be confusing to know where the story progresses chronologically. To help navigate this, here's a list of Fallout games in chronological order for easy reference.
Fallout 76 - 2102
Fallout 76 is set in Appalachia, just 25 years after the Great War. You play as a vault dweller emerging from Vault 76, venturing out for the first time to find your overseer. Despite being the latest installment in the series, it's actually a prequel to the entire Fallout storyline.
Fallout - 2161
In the Fallout universe, the original game takes place 59 years after Fallout 76. Set in Southern California, you step into the shoes of a Vault Dweller from Vault 13. The central narrative revolves around a critical issue: the water chip in Vault 13 malfunctions, sending you on a quest to secure a replacement within 150 days to ensure the vault's water supply. At the same time, the primary antagonist, 'The Master,' employs a pre-war genetically engineered virus to transform humans into Super Mutants. Your mission is to thwart his plans and safeguard Vault 13 from his grasp.
Fallout 2 - 2241
Fallout 2 continues the saga in Northern California, maintaining the post-apocalyptic world established in the first game. Set 80 years after those events, you step into the shoes of "The Chosen One," who is the grandchild of the original game's protagonist. Your journey begins in the village of Arroyo, where a dire need for the G.E.C.K (Garden of Eden Creation Kit) arises to combat starvation and drought threatening your community's survival.
Fallout 3 - 2277
Fallout 3 stands out as one of the series' most beloved titles. It unfolds in post-apocalyptic Washington D.C., renamed the Capital Wasteland, two centuries after the Great War. Players step into the shoes of the Lone Wanderer, a Vault 101-raised teenager on a quest to find their missing father, James. This journey intertwines with larger conflicts: the struggle for survival, aiming to restore clean, non-irradiated drinking water, and the ongoing clash between the Brotherhood of Steel and the Enclave factions.
Fallout: New Vegas - 2281
Then comes my personal favorite, Fallout: New Vegas, which is set in 2281, four years after Fallout 3, 40 years after Fallout 2, 120 years after the original Fallout, and six years before Fallout 4. The game unfolds in the Mojave Desert post the Great War, with three factions competing for dominance over New Vegas and its environs: the New California Republic, Mr. House of Vegas, and Caesar's Legion.
Fallout 4 - 2287
Fallout 4 revolves around the journey of the Sole Survivor, a Vault 111 inhabitant searching for their missing child, Shaun, in the Boston area circa 2287, a decade after Fallout 3. Amidst their quest, they encounter a world gripped by fear of the Institute, fixated on synths—biological yet robotic humanoids. This synth-focused narrative gets into profound ethical dilemmas, including the boundaries of scientific experimentation, the ethics of creating emotional, sentient machines, and the essence of humanity itself. Echoes of past narratives, notably from Fallout 3 and its Replicated Man quest, enrich Fallout 4's storytelling tapestry.
Fallout TV Series - 2296
Set in 2296, Fallout the TV series follows Lucy MacLean from Vault 33 as she ventures into the wasteland to save her father. Along the way, she meets Maximus from the Brotherhood of Steel and the Ghoul, a bounty hunter. Their quest for a powerful artifact intertwines with pre-War stories and Vault 33's aftermath. The series also explores locations like Filly and features the Prydwen airship and Vault Boy's backstory, connecting three Vaults in a mysterious manner.
