We’re going back to 1997 and checking out the first original Fallout game to ever hit our gaming libraries. We’ll be uncovering all the gameplay details about this classic RPG along with a few of our top PCs to play. Perfect for if you’re planning your next play through of the Fallout series!
Gameplay
Set 84 years after the Great War, play as a Vault Dweller from Vault 13. After the water chip’s sudden failure, you’re assigned the task of finding a replacement before the Vault’s water supply runs out. Armed with your trusty Pip-Boy 2000 and a few pieces of meagre equipment, set off on your journey across the vast and rather deadly Californian wasteland.
Along the way, you’ll soon uncover a deeper threat. A mutant named ‘The Master’ has been wielding a pre-War genetically engineered virus to transform humanity into a race of super mutants. It’s up to you again to defeat The Master and destroy the virus supply before the army invades Vault 13.
Where is the Original Fallout Located in the Timeline?
The original Fallout takes place in 2161. In the huge Fallout timeline, this places the original game;
- 59 years after Fallout 76
- 36 years before Fallout Tactics
- 47 years before Fallout: Brotherhood of Steel
- 80 years before Fallout 2
- 116 years before Fallout 3
- 120 years before Fallout: New Vegas
- 126 years before Fallout 4
Does the Original Fallout Feature Multiplayer?
The original Fallout is a single-player game only. But that doesn’t have to stop you from streaming all the classic RPG gameplay and apocalyptic vibes.
Official PC System Specification
| Minimum | |
|---|---|
| OS | Windows 95 or higher |
| Processor | Intel Pentium or faster |
| Memory | 16MB RAM |
| Graphics | 1MB VESA compliant SVGA GPU |
| DirectX | Any DirectX Version |
| Storage | 565MB storage |
| Additional | The Steam Client now requires Windows 10 or later |
Top PCs to Play the Original Fallout
As the game was released in 1997 you certainly won’t be needing an RTX 4090 to run it! But that doesn’t mean you can’t spoil yourself with a cheeky PC upgrade for your post-apocalyptic exploration.
We’ve got our top PC and laptop recs for you below, but if our choices don’t suit your gameplay demands or aesthetic, you can also shop all our systems and gaming laptops.
Refract Gaming Amber Pre Built PC
- Pre built gaming PC
- Designed for casual 1080p gaming
- AMD Ryzeen 5 7500F CPU and NVIDIA RTX 4060 GPU
- 16GB DDR5 RAM
- 1TB M.2 SSD
ASUS ROG Strix G16 Gaming Laptop
- 16.0” WUXGA display
- 165Hz refresh rate
- Intel Core i7 13650HX CPU and NVIDIA RTX 4060
- 16GB DDR5 RAM
OcUK Gaming Quartz Pre Built PC
- Pre built gaming PC
- Intel i5 12400F CPU and NVIDIA RTX 3060
- 16GB DDR4 RAM
- 1TB 2.5” SSD
OcUK Gaming Kestrel Configurable PC
- Configurable PC
- Customisable base hardware specification
- AMD Ryzen 5 5500 CPU and AMD Radeon RX 6600 GPU
- 16GB DDR4 RAM
OcUK Gaming Radiance Frosty MK2 Configurable PC
- Configurable gaming PC
- Option to adjust the base hardware specification
- As standard includes Intel i5 11400F CPU and NVIDIA RTX 3060 GPU
- 16GB DDR4 RAM
Other News from the Wasteland
Best Gaming Chairs (And More!) For Fallout Fans
Everything We Know About the Fallout TV Series
Fallout: London: What You Need to Know
Have You Played the Original Fallout?
Have you played the original Fallout game? What are your thoughts on the gameplay? Do you still think it holds up in 2024? Share your thoughts with us in the comments.
*Prices correct at time of writing and PC specs are subject to change.
- 3 min read
Ruth Rowley
Author
Ruth has been with Overclockers UK for over a year and has gone on to write about everything ranging from in-depth hardware guides to monthly game releases.
Outside of writing blog posts, she can be found wrapped in a blanket with her black cat, engrossed in a book or playing life-simulation games such as The Sims, Stardew Valley, and Animal Crossing.
Read More >>