PCGame

Fallout 3

Open-world RPG with post-nuclear exploration and targeted combat

Bethesda Game Studios · Published by Bethesda Softworks · Released Oct 28, 2008

RPG

Reviews
Very Positive
80% of 20K
Recent reviews
Mostly Positive
78% of 46 in 30 days
Players
35
daily peak, Nov 7, 2026
Steam Deck
Playable
Last update on Steam
2 years ago
Jun 4, 2024
Minimum PC
Direct X 9.0c compliant w…
1 GB RAM · 7 GB disk
Full requirements

Metacritic: 91/100 (critic reviews)

What is Fallout 3?

Fallout 3 is a single-player, open-world RPG set in the post-nuclear Capital Wasteland, where a vault dweller ventures outside. Explore ruined landmarks, fight hostile creatures, make dialogue choices, and develop skills and perks. You can switch between first- and third-person views and pause combat to target specific body parts.

For you if...

  • +you enjoy wandering through a ruined open world
  • +you like shaping a character with skills and perks

Not for you if...

  • −you prefer a guided route over open-ended exploration
  • −you want to play alongside other people

What players say

80% of 20,059 reviews are positive · 78% of 46 in the last 30 days

Players praise the wasteland's atmosphere, exploration, and side quests. Their most common complaint is that the game fails to launch or crashes on newer PCs, though some report getting it running with patches or mods.

Players over time

▼ -17% vs a month ago

Players online on Steam, one sample a day.

Highest since Sep 2026: 57 players on Oct 13, 2026.

Show the data
DayPlayers
Nov 7, 202635
Nov 6, 202628
Nov 5, 202626
Nov 4, 202629
Nov 3, 202640
Nov 2, 202642
Nov 1, 202631
Oct 31, 202631
Oct 30, 202643
Oct 29, 202635
Oct 28, 202639
Oct 27, 202623
Oct 27, 202637
Oct 26, 202637
Oct 25, 202647
Oct 24, 202653
Oct 23, 202641
Oct 22, 202640
Oct 21, 202642
Oct 20, 202638
Oct 19, 202654
Oct 18, 202655
Oct 17, 202642
Oct 16, 202631
Oct 15, 202644
Oct 14, 202645
Oct 13, 202657
Oct 12, 202656
Oct 11, 202637
Oct 10, 202643
Oct 9, 202641
Oct 8, 202640
Oct 7, 202643
Oct 6, 202638
Oct 5, 202637
Oct 4, 202638
Oct 3, 202640
Oct 2, 202628
Oct 1, 202635
Sep 30, 202638
Sep 29, 202652
Sep 28, 202637
Sep 27, 202637
Sep 26, 202626
Sep 25, 202637
Sep 24, 202631
Sep 23, 202622
Sep 23, 202625
Sep 22, 202633
Sep 21, 202639

Screenshots and trailer

Fallout 3 screenshot 1

Fallout 3 system requirements

Minimum: Direct X 9.0c compliant w…, 1 GB RAM, 7 GB of disk space.

As published by the developer.

Can my PC run Fallout 3?

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Minimum

OS
Windows XP/Vista
Processor
2.4 Ghz Intel Pentium 4 or equivalent processor
Graphics
Direct X 9.0c compliant video card with 256MB RAM (NVIDIA 6800 or better/ATI X850 or better)
Memory
1 GB (XP)/ 2 GB (Vista)
Storage
7 GB
Notes
Online play requires log-in to Games For Windows - Live

Recommended

OS
Windows XP/Vista
Processor
Intel Core 2 Duo processor
Graphics
Direct X 9.0c compliant video card with 512MB RAM (NVIDIA 8800 series, ATI 3800 series)
Memory
2 GB System RAM
Storage
7 GB

Does Fallout 3 have co-op or multiplayer?

No: single-player only, no multiplayer modes declared.

Does Fallout 3 run on Steam Deck?

Playable Playable: it runs on Steam Deck with some adjustments.

  • Some text entry requires manually opening the on-screen keyboard
  • The native resolution is not the default one
  • All functionality is accessible with the default controller configuration
  • Shows Steam Deck controller icons
  • In-game text is legible on Steam Deck
  • Default graphics settings perform well on Steam Deck
  • External controllers are not supported for the primary player

PC version details

DRM
None declared on Steam
Controller
Keyboard and mouse
Platforms
Windows
Age rating
17+
Languages
Text only: English, French, Italian, German, Spanish - Spain.

Does Fallout 3 use AI-generated content?

No AI-generated content is disclosed on the game's Steam page.

Self-reported by the developer under Steam rules: it covers AI content that ships in the game, not tools used to make it. Steam page checked on Oct 27, 2026. How to filter AI games on Steam

Tags

Recent updates

6 DLC available.

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