Waiting For Fallout 5? Check Out This Underrated Free Game

5 days ago 8

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Fallout is the series that just won't quit. It was around in the '90s, was booming in the 2000s and 2010s with Bethesda's takeover, and in the 2020s, it is relevant again thanks to the TV show's success.

There's also a free game you can play on Steam (and mobile/consoles) that has been a pillar of the Fallout franchise for quite some time. It's a nice way to get involved in the universe before the next big iteration is out.

Fallout Shelter Will Keep You Busy For Ages

It's Really Easy To Get Sucked In

Released on mobile in 2015 during E3, Fallout Shelter is still alive, and available on nearly every platform possible (PC, iOS, Android, PS4, Switch, Xbox One). It's also been boosted in popularity thanks to the second season of the TV show premiering recently, along with Fallout 76, Fallout 3, Fallout 4, and Fallout: New Vegas. More people seem to be flocking to this series in general, which is great news for Fallout fans.

If you aren't familiar with it, Fallout Shelter is a free-to-play management game where you control a Vault, building various room expansions and keeping people happy. Think of it like a puzzle game or even a city management simulator, where you're managing construction and the emotions of your citizens.

Having gone back to play it from time to time, it's a fun simulator and doesn't require microtransactions to enjoy. As you build your Vault and progress with the game, you'll send off some of your citizens to explore the Wasteland to bring back loot, and research new mechanics to bolster your base.

While the visuals might not be everyone's cup of tea, the art style gets the point across, and provides a clear look at pretty much every UI element you could want. It's well-designed and reminds me of some of the better Maxis simulators in the "Sim" series.

It's Not Fallout 5, But It's A Great Fallout Game

Shelter Helped Raise The Series' Profile

Fallout Shelter's success is still felt today, as I come across people who play it, but don't play any other major video games. Internally, it even inspired The Elder Scrolls: Castles, a similar reworked version for The Elder Scrolls series; and externally, it prompted a lawsuit between Bethesda and Warner Bros over the latter's similarly-themed Westworld game.

For now, we have confirmation that projects for the Fallout series are in development, but we're still in the dark about a full Fallout 5 release announcement. Bethesda currently has its hands full with The Elder Scrolls series alone, so it could be a while before we see the next major Fallout game.