Fallout Game Lengths: How Long To Beat Each Title?

The Fallout series, renowned for its immersive post-apocalyptic worlds and engaging storylines, has captivated gamers for decades. One common question among both newcomers and seasoned players is: how long does it take to beat a Fallout game? The answer, however, isn't straightforward, as it varies significantly depending on the specific title, playstyle, and completion goals. Whether you're a speedrunner aiming to finish the main quest as quickly as possible or a completionist determined to explore every nook and cranny, understanding the approximate playtime for each game can help you plan your adventure.

Fallout Game Lengths

Fallout (1997)

The original Fallout, released in 1997, set the stage for the entire franchise. In Fallout, you emerge from Vault 13, tasked with finding a replacement water chip to save your fellow vault dwellers from a dire water shortage. This quest plunges you into the harsh realities of a post-nuclear world, where survival depends on your wit, combat skills, and moral choices. The urgency of your mission juxtaposes starkly with the freedom to explore, making for a compelling and sometimes difficult gaming experience.

For players focusing solely on the main quest, Fallout typically takes around 15-20 hours to complete. This involves following the primary storyline, completing essential objectives, and making key decisions that influence the game's ending. However, the world of Fallout is rich with side quests, intriguing characters, and hidden locations. Players who choose to delve deeper into these optional elements can easily spend 30-40 hours or more exploring the game. From helping struggling settlements to uncovering dark secrets, the side content in Fallout offers a wealth of additional gameplay and lore.

Completionists, who aim to experience every aspect of the game, often invest 50 hours or more into Fallout. This includes completing all side quests, discovering every location on the map, and maximizing character skills. Given the game's age and occasional clunkiness, achieving full completion can be a challenging but rewarding endeavor. In summary, Fallout offers a concise but engaging main quest experience, with ample opportunities for extended exploration and completionist endeavors. The game's blend of urgent narrative and open-world freedom makes it a classic title that continues to captivate players.

Fallout 2 (1998)

Fallout 2, the sequel to the original Fallout, expands on the post-apocalyptic world with a more intricate storyline and deeper character development. In Fallout 2, you assume the role of the Chosen One, a descendant of the Vault Dweller from the first game, tasked with finding the Garden of Eden Creation Kit (GECK) to save your village, Arroyo, from starvation. This quest sends you across the wasteland, encountering new factions, dangerous enemies, and morally complex choices that shape the game's outcome. Fallout 2 improves the gameplay mechanics while maintaining the series' signature blend of dark humor and serious themes.

For players primarily focused on the main quest, Fallout 2 typically takes around 25-35 hours to complete. This involves navigating the main storyline, making critical decisions, and battling through various challenges to reach the GECK. However, Fallout 2 is renowned for its extensive side content, which adds significant depth and replayability to the game. Players who delve into these optional quests and storylines can easily spend 50-70 hours exploring the game. From uncovering the secrets of New Reno's crime families to helping or hindering the ambitions of the New California Republic (NCR), the side content in Fallout 2 provides a wealth of additional gameplay and world-building.

Completionists, who aim to experience every facet of the game, often invest 80 hours or more into Fallout 2. This includes completing all side quests, discovering every location on the expansive map, and maximizing character skills and abilities. Given the game's complexity and the sheer amount of content, achieving full completion can be a time-consuming but rewarding endeavor. Fallout 2 offers a more extended and complex main quest compared to its predecessor, with even more opportunities for exploration and side content. The game's blend of engaging narrative, memorable characters, and vast open world makes it a standout title in the Fallout series.

Fallout 3 (2008)

Fallout 3, the first Fallout game developed by Bethesda Game Studios, brought the series into the modern era with updated graphics, gameplay mechanics, and a sprawling open world. In Fallout 3, you play as the Lone Wanderer, who grows up in Vault 101 and ventures out into the Capital Wasteland in search of your missing father, James. This quest leads you through the ruins of Washington, D.C., encountering memorable characters, dangerous creatures, and morally challenging decisions that shape the fate of the wasteland.

For players focusing solely on the main quest, Fallout 3 typically takes around 20-30 hours to complete. This involves following the primary storyline, completing essential objectives, and making key decisions that influence the game's ending. However, Fallout 3 is renowned for its vast open world and numerous side quests, which add significant depth and replayability to the game. Players who choose to delve deeper into these optional elements can easily spend 50-80 hours or more exploring the wasteland. From helping the residents of Megaton to uncovering the secrets of the Enclave, the side content in Fallout 3 offers a wealth of additional gameplay and lore.

Completionists, who aim to experience every aspect of the game, often invest 100 hours or more into Fallout 3. This includes completing all side quests, discovering every location on the map, and maximizing character skills. Given the game's size and the sheer amount of content, achieving full completion can be a time-consuming but rewarding endeavor. The addition of DLC packs, such as Operation Anchorage and Point Lookout, can add another 10-20 hours of gameplay each, further extending the playtime. In summary, Fallout 3 offers a balanced main quest experience with vast opportunities for extended exploration and completionist endeavors. The game's blend of engaging narrative, open-world freedom, and extensive side content makes it a standout title in the Fallout series.

Fallout: New Vegas (2010)

Fallout: New Vegas, developed by Obsidian Entertainment, is often regarded as one of the best entries in the Fallout series, known for its engaging story, complex characters, and meaningful choices. In Fallout: New Vegas, you play as the Courier, who is ambushed and left for dead while delivering a mysterious package. Surviving the attack, you embark on a quest for revenge and answers, navigating the intricate politics and power struggles of the Mojave Wasteland. This journey brings you face-to-face with factions like the New California Republic (NCR), Caesar's Legion, and the enigmatic Mr. House, each vying for control of New Vegas.

For players focusing solely on the main quest, Fallout: New Vegas typically takes around 25-35 hours to complete. This involves following the primary storyline, completing essential objectives, and making key decisions that influence the game's ending. However, Fallout: New Vegas is renowned for its deep and branching side quests, which add significant depth and replayability to the game. Players who choose to delve deeper into these optional elements can easily spend 50-100 hours or more exploring the Mojave Wasteland. From helping the various settlements scattered throughout the region to uncovering the secrets of the Sierra Madre casino, the side content in Fallout: New Vegas offers a wealth of additional gameplay and lore.

Completionists, who aim to experience every aspect of the game, often invest 120 hours or more into Fallout: New Vegas. This includes completing all side quests, discovering every location on the map, and maximizing character skills. Given the game's size, the complexity of its quests, and the sheer amount of content, achieving full completion can be a time-consuming but rewarding endeavor. The addition of DLC packs, such as Dead Money and Old World Blues, can add another 10-20 hours of gameplay each, further extending the playtime. In summary, Fallout: New Vegas offers a complex and engaging main quest experience with vast opportunities for extended exploration and completionist endeavors. The game's blend of engaging narrative, memorable characters, and extensive side content makes it a standout title in the Fallout series.

Fallout 4 (2015)

Fallout 4, developed by Bethesda Game Studios, brought the Fallout series to a new generation of consoles with enhanced graphics, refined gameplay mechanics, and a focus on settlement building. In Fallout 4, you play as the Sole Survivor, who emerges from Vault 111 to find their son, Shaun, after witnessing the murder of their spouse. This quest leads you through the Commonwealth, the ruins of Boston, where you encounter new factions, dangerous creatures, and morally challenging decisions that shape the fate of the region.

For players focusing solely on the main quest, Fallout 4 typically takes around 25-35 hours to complete. This involves following the primary storyline, completing essential objectives, and making key decisions that influence the game's ending. However, Fallout 4 is renowned for its vast open world and numerous side quests, which add significant depth and replayability to the game. Players who choose to delve deeper into these optional elements can easily spend 50-100 hours or more exploring the Commonwealth. From helping the various settlements scattered throughout the region to uncovering the secrets of the Institute, the side content in Fallout 4 offers a wealth of additional gameplay and lore.

Completionists, who aim to experience every aspect of the game, often invest 120 hours or more into Fallout 4. This includes completing all side quests, discovering every location on the map, and maximizing character skills. Given the game's size and the sheer amount of content, achieving full completion can be a time-consuming but rewarding endeavor. The addition of DLC packs, such as Far Harbor and Nuka-World, can add another 10-20 hours of gameplay each, further extending the playtime. In summary, Fallout 4 offers a balanced main quest experience with vast opportunities for extended exploration and completionist endeavors. The game's blend of engaging narrative, open-world freedom, and extensive side content makes it a standout title in the Fallout series.

Fallout 76 (2018)

Fallout 76, developed by Bethesda Game Studios, is the first multiplayer online role-playing game in the Fallout series. Set in post-apocalyptic West Virginia, Fallout 76 allows players to explore a vast open world, complete quests, and build settlements with friends or solo. As one of the first residents of Vault 76 to emerge after the bombs fell, you are tasked with rebuilding society and uncovering the mysteries of the region.

Because Fallout 76 is an online multiplayer game with a focus on ongoing content and updates, it doesn't have a definitive