The Fallout games you’ve (probably) never played are free for a whole week — grab ’em while you can

The Fallout games you've (probably) never played are free for a whole week — grab 'em while you can

What you need to know

  • 1997’s Fallout, the 1998 sequel Fallout 2, and the Fallout Tactics: Brotherhood of Steel spinoff are the first three games in the legendary RPG series, but many of today’s PC gamers haven’t played them before.
  • There’s never been a better time to try them out than right now, however, as they’re all currently free on the Epic Games Store.
  • Specifically, the Fallout Classic Collection bundle that includes all three is free to download and keep forever on Epic from now until September 5, 2024 at 8:00 a.m. PT / 11:00 a.m. ET.
  • Fallout and Fallout 2 are turn-based isometric top-down RPGs that lay the foundations for locations, factions, and events in future games and Amazon’s TV show, while Fallout Tactics is a non-canon spinoff that focuses on squad-based tactical combat.

As someone who has been around the block a few times when it comes to video games, I must say that the current offer on the Epic Games Store is a gem for any Fallout enthusiast or novice alike. The 1997 and 1998 classics, along with their spinoff, are not only free but also provide an intriguing insight into the origins of one of today’s most beloved RPG series.


This year, the popular role-playing game series from Bethesda Game Studios, known as Fallout, has experienced a significant revival. The post-apocalyptic, post-nuclear games have gained popularity due to the success of Amazon’s high-quality Fallout TV show that premiered in April. Although recent titles like Fallout 4 and Fallout 76 attracted massive player surges, I think many gamers haven’t explored some classic Fallout games yet.

I’m talking about the original Fallout from 1997, its sequel Fallout 2 released in 1998, and the spinoff game Fallout Tactics: Brotherhood of Steel from 2001. Despite their outdated graphics, restricted display options, and somewhat antiquated control layouts, many contemporary PC gamers find it challenging to immerse themselves in these turn-based isometric role-playing games. However, beneath the initial frustration, there are some truly fantastic games that offer a great gaming experience once you learn to navigate their idiosyncrasies.

If all three usually cost $10 each, many people tend to wait for sales which lower the price to between $1 and $5 before playing them. However, currently, you have an exceptional opportunity! The Epic Games Store is offering the Fallout Classic Collection bundle for free as part of their weekly free games program. This collection, which normally retails at $20, includes Fallout, Fallout 2, and Fallout Tactics. You can add this bundle to your Epic library forever, from now until September 5, 2024, 8:00 a.m. PT / 11:00 a.m. ET. If you’re keen on experiencing the games that paved the way for today’s Fallout series, this is your chance!

The Fallout games you've (probably) never played are free for a whole week — grab 'em while you can

The 1997 Fallout is the game that started it all, and my personal favorite of the three in this bundle. Published and developed by Interplay Entertainment — many employees of which eventually went on to create or work at studios like Fallout: New Vegas’ Obsidian Entertainment and Wasteland 3’s inXile Entertainment — it takes place in Southern California in 2161, 84 years after nuclear Armageddon devastated the Earth. You play as a vault dweller from Vault 13 who’s forced to venture into the wastes to find a replacement water purification chip before the bunker’s residents run out of clean drinking water, and will encounter several of the characters, factions, and locations that eventually develop into important places and societies like Shady Sands and the New California Republic.

In the second installment, titled Fallout 2, you’ll travel 80 years into the future, assuming the role of a descendant from the initial game’s hero, who is also a tribal member saddled with the quest to locate a Vault-Tec Garden of Eden Creation Kit (G.E.C.K.). This artifact is crucial for rejuvenating the barren soil beneath their village, Arroyo. Your expedition leads you through familiar locales from the first game, as well as new territories. The narrative unfolds the emergence of two significant powers: the New California Republic and the Enclave, a faction that claims to be a vestige of the pre-disaster U.S. government, zealously committed to annihilating all mutant life forms. The Brotherhood of Steel is also present in this post-apocalyptic world. Notably, some or all of these factions would become significant characters in subsequent games like Fallout 3, Fallout: New Vegas, Fallout 4, Fallout 76, and the latest TV series.

To wrap things up, we have Fallout Tactics: Brotherhood of Steel, a spinoff title that leans heavily on tactical and strategic turn-based combat rather than RPG elements. It’s more like XCOM in style, but its interface is similar to the first two RPGs, making it accessible if you’ve played those games. Despite being enjoyable, the storyline of this game is considered non-canonical by Bethesda.

The Fallout games you've (probably) never played are free for a whole week — grab 'em while you can

Without a doubt, the original Fallout remains my preferred choice, as I find the humor in Fallout 2 slightly excessive and require a particular state of mind to delve into games such as Fallout Tactics. Nevertheless, each one is definitely worth experiencing, especially for those who are modern fans of the series, eager to explore its origins. Plus, since they’re currently free, you won’t be out any money even if you don’t enjoy them – so why not take a chance and see for yourself?

If you prefer not to use the Epic Games Store, you have other options for purchasing the Fallout Classic Collection. You can buy it on Steam, or even purchase each game individually on platforms like Valve’s store, GOG, and the Microsoft Store. Moreover, if you subscribe to PC Game Pass or Xbox Game Pass Ultimate, you’ll get access to all three games.

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2024-08-29 22:09