Fallout 2

Along with Fallout 1, Fallout 2 is absolutely till this day (25 years later) in the top five RPGs of all time, hands down. Words cannot properly express the incredible game design, art, music, atmosphere and gameplay innovations that encompasses the original and the sequel. Fallout 2 takes a few small tumbles in RPG and design depth (end of game traditional boss with limited options, comedy, etc.), but these are minor and Fallout 2 makes up for it by having the other 99% of it being just as good as Fallout, but having twice the amount of content and in some instances even more depth than Fallout. It is definitely a worthy sequel, building and expanding on what made Fallout an absolute masterpiece. Having played these games when they were released, 25 years later they are still completely in a league of their own.

If you're having issues where the game gets stuck on the intro video then just restart. That fixed it for me. Also Windows 7 compatability mode fixed my audio crackling. I'm on Windows 11. I think the issue has to do with Sfall.

Fallout 1 was a strong introduction to the post apocalyptic world of the Fallout series, but Fallout 2 takes everything that made its predecessor great and builds upon it, creating a game that's even more immersive, intricate, and morally complex. World building is one of its greatest strengths. The wasteland feels alive and interconnected, with factions evolving since the first game: the NCR grows into a government with its own currency, super mutants change after the Master's death, and the Brotherhood fades into the background. This sense of progression makes the setting feel alive. Another element is how the game embraces moral grayness. Choices rarely have a clear right or wrong answer, sometimes you're punished simply for delaying too long, as quests can fail or NPCs die while you're busy elsewhere. You can even choose to be an a**hole, become a slaver, or kill innocents, and the game reacts accordingly. Unlike many modern RPGs, morality isn't reduced to simple good or evil factions. Gameplay builds on the first game with improvements. Companions are more useful, with better inventory and combat options, and random encounters are more varied. Towns and settlements feel distinct, each with its own identity and conflicts. Quests offer multiple solutions, encouraging replayability and experimentation, every run can reveal new dialogue, choices, or endings. But Fallout 2 isn't flawless. The rushed development shows in unfinished areas, messy scripts, and occasional bugs, sometimes preventing quest rewards or certain endings even if you met the requirements. Frequent saving is essential. If you can show patience and a willingness to embrace its imperfections, this is a must play for you. At least, I had great fun with it.

Lots of problems with compatibility. Win 10. Game crashes way too often. I know that fallout 2 is a very buggy game however these crashes and issues aren't the same that fallout 2 had with win 98 or me. Fallout 2 was and I think still is my favourite game of all time

The original Fallout was a good game that I found fell short of some its more positive aspects. The world and atmosphere were great, but not as fleshed out as they could have been. Fallout 2 comes and fixes all of that! The settlements are diverse and filled with details. Each one has its own history, culture, economy, and relationships with others. Most importantly, there are many interesting NPCs that have something to say in all of them. Indeed, characters were very one-dimensional in its predecessor, but Fallout 2 turns around and remedies that, most importantly in the companions department. John Cassidy, the gun-toting bartender with a heart condition. Sulik, the melee expert of a vision-ridden tribal. Marcus, the eloquent, polite, badass super mutant. The writing is also a lot more colorful and consistent in my opinion. Some have criticised FO2 for its frequent breaking of the fourth wall and outdated references, but I personally like it more for them. The original took itself very seriously and it made its comedic moments feel out of place. FO2 instead makes as much fun of the misery of the wasteland as it can, all the while making you consider the implications of society there are there. It feels a lot more balanced to me and the serious moments still have weight behind them, yet being evil does not feel as cartoony as it previously. The side quests and main storyline are fantastic, even if the final boss could have been written a little better. Unlike the previous game, there is proper set up here to all the events that transpire. I genuinely found the main antagonists to be terrifying. One major flaw to me is still the combat. While you can change the AI patterns of your companions, it only helps so much. The pace is the worst aspect, ruined further by the increased amount of enemies that tend to be present. Waiting for each and every single being on the map to move is not the most fun to have. All in all, I loved the game. Once it got going, I was hooked.