PCGame

Fallout 3: Game of the Year Edition

Open-world post-apocalyptic RPG built around exploration, choice, and targeted combat

Bethesda Game Studios · Published by Bethesda Softworks · Released Dec 17, 2009

RPG

Reviews
Mostly Positive
79% of 47K
Recent reviews
Mostly Positive
77% of 188 in 30 days
Players
289
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: Game of the Year Edition?

A single-player open-world RPG played in first or third person, set amid the post-apocalyptic ruins of Washington, D.C. You create a character, explore the Capital Wasteland, talk or fight through situations, develop skills and perks, and use V.A.T.S. to pause combat and target body parts while searching for your father. This edition includes five add-ons.

For you if...

  • +you enjoy exploring large, lonely post-apocalyptic worlds
  • +you prefer situations with conversational and combat choices
  • +you want character building through skills and perks

Not for you if...

  • −you prefer tightly guided, linear adventures
  • −you want multiplayer or cooperative play
  • −you dislike bleak post-apocalyptic settings

What players say

79% of 47,319 reviews are positive · 77% of 188 in the last 30 days

Players most often praise the Capital Wasteland's bleak atmosphere, freedom, and exploration. The dominant complaint is that the game may fail to launch or crash on modern PCs, with many players reporting that community fixes or mods are required, though others say it runs without them.

Players over time

▲ +2% vs a month ago

Players online on Steam, one sample a day.

Highest since Sep 2026: 383 players on Oct 23, 2026.

Show the data
DayPlayers
Nov 7, 2026289
Nov 6, 2026237
Nov 5, 2026270
Nov 4, 2026256
Nov 3, 2026280
Nov 2, 2026338
Nov 1, 2026281
Oct 31, 2026292
Oct 30, 2026264
Oct 29, 2026278
Oct 28, 2026264
Oct 27, 2026187
Oct 27, 2026319
Oct 26, 2026330
Oct 25, 2026381
Oct 24, 2026361
Oct 23, 2026383
Oct 22, 20260
Oct 21, 2026315
Oct 20, 2026331
Oct 19, 2026367
Oct 18, 2026348
Oct 17, 2026273
Oct 16, 2026286
Oct 15, 2026283
Oct 14, 2026274
Oct 13, 2026288
Oct 12, 2026278
Oct 11, 2026307
Oct 10, 2026263
Oct 9, 2026256
Oct 8, 2026268
Oct 7, 2026274
Oct 6, 2026262
Oct 5, 2026282
Oct 4, 2026294
Oct 3, 2026264
Oct 2, 2026241
Oct 1, 2026220
Sep 30, 2026237
Sep 29, 2026221
Sep 28, 2026280
Sep 27, 2026260
Sep 26, 2026246
Sep 25, 2026215
Sep 24, 2026259
Sep 23, 2026142
Sep 23, 2026247
Sep 22, 2026252
Sep 21, 2026313

Screenshots and trailer

Fallout 3: Game of the Year Edition screenshot 1

Fallout 3: Game of the Year Edition 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: Game of the Year Edition?

Tell us your graphics card once and every game page will answer this for you.

Set up my PC →

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

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: Game of the Year Edition have co-op or multiplayer?

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

Does Fallout 3: Game of the Year Edition 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
  • First time setup requires active internet connection
  • External controllers are not supported for the primary player

PC version details

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

Does Fallout 3: Game of the Year Edition 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 Nov 6, 2026. How to filter AI games on Steam

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