The series has a long history and a complex chronology, and figuring out where to jump in for the first time can be difficult. Since its debut in 1997, has undergone some major evolutions while retaining a unique flavor that helps secure its enduring appeal. The wasteland presented in the games mixes harsh realities of a radioactive post-apocalyptic world with a creative and often humorous personality, and it's hard not to be entertained by the sheer variety of things to do.
There's not necessarily a wrong way to play the games, as any series entry that seems appealing is likely to prove a reasonable introduction to the franchise. Even so, there are some that could be harder to ease into than others, and major changes in gameplay could make some approaches to progressing through the games feel disjointed. Among a few strong candidates for the best order, there's one that stands out as the easiest to recommend.
Although there's something to be said for both chronological and release orders, neither necessarily make for the best way to experience If any game is the most surefire starter, it's , which is easy to get into from a gameplay standpoint and provides an exceptionally compelling narrative that many view as the franchise peak. From there, it's worth playing through the other modern games and then jumping back to the classics, which are still great experiences but present tougher learning curves for newcomers.
Game
The Reason to Play
A perfect introduction to the wasteland
The newest mainline game and recipient of a next-gen update.
The game that started the series revival.
A classic with a learning curve.
The most direct sequel.
No longer canon, but compelling.
A continually updating multiplayer experience.
and are both games worth mentioning, but neither have much of a place in any definitive play order for the series. is a mobile game (later made available on consoles) that offers a more casual experience, and is a flawed take on the franchise that isn't particularly essential.
has come to define the series for many fans, and there's good reason for its iconic status. Developed by Obsidian Entertainment and published by Bethesda, this entry returns to the desert wasteland model of the first two games to deliver a story with an enormous amount of compelling complexity. Although a good amount of time has passed since its release, the gameplay is still fairly modern in its basic approach, and it's easy to jump into and get the hang of for newcomers.
was originally released in a fairly buggy state, but at this point, it's easy to call it the one must-play of the series There are arguments to be made to start elsewhere — opting for is also a good choice, and stepping out of the Vault
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There's a lot to enjoy in the base version of , but one particular feature that didn't show up until DLC definitely should have been included for free. has always had a somewhat contentious space in the franchise, and a big part of it is a feeling that the game falls into a one step forward, two steps back problem. Enhanced gunplay and settlement building are just a couple of the significant new attractions, but missing roleplaying elements and fewer narrative complexities can be disappointing compared to prior titles.
pulls off a major narrative gambit with Orpheus's story, but when looking back at the game, it could hardly have communicated what was coming more clearly. Among the many strengths of, one that stands out in particular is how much work goes into foreshadowing and littering relevant lore across the world. It would be easy to have countless dangling threads in a world as vast and varied as Faerûn, but although not every single tease ultimately goes somewhere, very little is wasted on the whole.
's long-awaited next-gen update has now refreshed the game on both the Xbox Series X/S and the PlayStation 5, but it's still a better game on the former option thanks to one huge difference between the versions. Ever since first making its way to consoles with, the post-apocalyptic RPG series has had plenty of struggles with bugs and performance issues showing up in every game to varying degrees. The next-gen update does fix some key problems that have persisted in the game since launch, even if it introduces some of its own.
PlayStation Plus is getting some exciting new additions in May, allowing subscribers to pick up a variety of games and keep them as long as a subscription is active. A small selection of rotating monthly titles is available to download across all three tiers of the service, which offer varying degrees of benefits for different price points. On the more costly Extra and Premium tiers, May will also bring new entries to a more permanent catalog that consistently adds more games than it loses.
The new is an interesting addition to , but more than anything, it's a reminder that one older game in franchise deserves to have a proper comeback. Although the release model of has long relied on extensive amounts of expansion packs, the series also spent much of its lifespan spinning things off into proper side games. Although this could sometimes get very far from the original concept (like in ), the franchise also had its fair share of games that fulfilled core concepts in their own interesting ways.
has finally received a next-gen update to squeeze in some improvements on PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X/S, and it also makes some key changes and additions that are reflected on PC as well. Released in 2015 for the prior console generation, remains the most recent mainline installment in the post-apocalyptic RPG series. Anyone looking to scratch the itch has no choice but to stick with or previous games in the series, so the prospect of getting an update could be a tantalizing one.
might not look like a game that would have much of an emphasis on the story at first glance, but by the time it reaches the ending, it proves that its narrative ambitions are greater than might be expected. As an unusual twist on the soulslike genre, packs intense fights and a healthy dose of platforming into a package that's more charming than most of its peers. Although the framing might seem like it wouldn't dwell in the grim, quiet corners that most soulslike games frequent, the story ends up having some serious weight.
Playing through to the credits in can take a while, but anyone particularly enraptured with the game might want to keep the adventure going after the ending. tells the story of a futuristic soldier named Eve working to retake a ruined Earth, a task that requires fighting plenty of hostile creatures with uniquely challenging attacks to parry and overcome. It can be tempting to rush through to keep the focus on the action, but there's also an appeal in ferreting out secrets in its harsh world.
isn't content to just be an average, everyday city-builder, and the game's commitment to doing something unique goes beyond its central concept. The obvious thing that makes different from other games in the genre is its blend of tactical battles into the mix, which gives it an extra dose of appeal. This isn't the only feature that's hard to find elsewhere, however, and another fairly unique addition also contributes to making its medieval settlements feel more like real places with real people.
is a new physics-based party brawler set on carving out a niche in a crowded market, and there's one element in particular that could help give it an edge. Developed by Lightfox Games and published by Mad Mushroom, the publishing label of creator group OTK, is angling in part to hook streamers and their audiences into the game. Finding success in this area can be something of a gamble, but Lightfox isn't leaving the prospect entirely up to chance.
Now is the perfect time to buy on Steam, and the window of opportunity isn't going to last forever. As a long-delayed sequel to a 2011 zombie-slaying hit, in 2023 after being passed around from developer to developer for years. Despite these troubles, however, the game released to a generally positive critical reception, accurately recapturing the mindless appeal of the original with just enough updates to flesh out systems that could feel unsatisfying in its predecessors.
is a great game under any circumstances, but it can be a much better one with mods. Released in a buggy state after a rushed development cycle, the various shortcomings of originally cast a shadow on all of its incredible strengths. When playing on PC today, however, it's possible to fix it up, and even try out unique improvements and overhauls to make for a maximally memorable experience.