Fallout Tactics

Unlike the Fallout games that came before it, Fallout Tactics is a squad-based game that requires strategic thinking to overcome your enemies. The game will take some tweaking to run on modern hardware, but's well worth the effort as you will discover a different take on the Fallout universe that requires tactics to get you through the excellent story. If you liked Fallout 1 and 2, I'd say give this a go.

In my opinion, Fallout Tactics, is by far, the better of the older series (including the weird one on PS2). Was extremely happy to pick this one back up, along with the other two. Despite the many issues these games have, they are still fun and a good way to kill some time (and some raiders too). A definite must have in the library, and for the price, why wouldn't you?

A great squad-based tactical game in the Fallout universe, built on top of the Fallout SPECIAL stat system. Gameplay - the main strength of the game, it is fun, varied and interesting throughout the game. The game strikes a good balance between detailed and streamlined by putting time advancement under the control of the player: if the current battle is hard, one can play it slow, in the classic Turn-Based fashion. If the current battle is easy, it can be played faster, in the Continuous Turn-Based mode. Playing with a squad of 6 characters feels easy, tactically interesting and never a chore. Vehicles are an important part of the later game - from small 4x4s to battle tanks - and they feel realistic: powerful, providing good armour for those inside, they are big targets with low agility and vulnerable to large ordnance and anti-tank mines. I feel Fallout Tactics also implements the most extensive and best version of the SPECIAL system in any cRPG. The stats, traits and perks work very well from level 1 to 50. You can play as Ghouls, Supermutants, Deathclaws and other human factions, and the stat system (and general gameplay) holds very, very well, delivering sheer fun. The story is fun and interesting, but doesn't rise to the level of Fallout 1 or 2 (nor New Vegas). Still, perfectly good. The game comes with an extensive editor - maps, characters, most everything; I rather like buffing Farsight, Stitch and Dillon to keep throughout the game. The game music can be changed from inside the menu, and Rhea's Obsession fits my games quite well.

Many folks may call it one of the weaker Interplay Fallouts. I say that it had massive potential in many ways. All it had to do is to make its story non-linear. And that's it. If the game had a non-linear story with multiple NPCs, places and all the stuff that was present in Fallout 1 and 2 on top of its combat, then it would've been the best of the three. And I'm genuinely sad we never got Tactics 2 that was close to being completed because it was supposed to have a non-linear story. With Gatormen and a F.E.V. - infected G.E.C.K. that would create a hostile fungal environment. For me it's the last good Fallout before Bethesda turned the series into a mediocre TES with guns and no magic (minus New Vegas which is actually good due to being made by the old crew that made the Interplay Fallouts), and one of the symbols of my childhood. Again. If the story was non-linear, with loads of NPCs and places, along with a lot of other things that made the two previous games fun and enjoyable (minus F2's forced tutorial), then it would've been easily the best of the three. And even without it it's a tricky, sometimes hard but engaging and blood pumping game.

If you like Fallout and Xcom or Jagged Alliance, this is for you. (Gladly I love all of these)