fallout board game review

Alright, so I’ve been a huge fan of the Fallout series for years, you know, the video games. I love that whole post-apocalyptic vibe, exploring the wasteland, encountering weird mutants, and making tough choices. So, naturally, when I saw there was a Fallout board game by Fantasy Flight Games, I was like, “Shut up and take my money!” I had to get my hands on it.

I managed to snag a copy online and when it arrived, I was pumped. The box art alone was enough to get me hyped. I gathered a few buddies who are also into board games, though not necessarily Fallout fans, to give it a go. We cleared the table, set up the game, and started going through the rulebook. It’s a bit hefty, I won’t lie, but pretty standard for these kinds of games.

We decided to play with four players, which meant we had a good mix of characters. I picked the Ghoul because, well, who doesn’t want to be a radiated, practically immortal badass? My friends chose the Vault Dweller, the Super Mutant, and the Wastelander. The game lets you choose from five classic factions, including the Brotherhood Outcast, each with its own starting item and skill, which is a nice touch for flavor.

The game is all about exploring the map, completing quests, and gaining influence. You start on the edge of the map and gradually reveal new tiles as you move around. Each tile has different locations, encounters, and potential quests. It really captures that feeling of exploring the unknown, just like in the video games.

Game Start!

• Set the Mood: We dimmed the lights, put on some atmospheric music, and maybe even cracked open a few Nuka-Colas (well, okay, they were just regular sodas, but you get the idea).
• Read the Rules: Okay, this part was a bit of a slog. The rulebook is a bit dense, and we had to keep flipping back and forth to figure things out. We probably spent a good hour just getting the hang of the basic mechanics.
• Choose Your Character: This was the fun part! Everyone picked their character based on their favorite faction, and we all got a little too into role-playing our characters’ backstories.

We spent the first part of the game just exploring and getting a feel for the mechanics. We encountered some raiders, helped some settlers, and even stumbled upon a Deathclaw, which we wisely decided to avoid. Combat is resolved through dice rolls, and it can be pretty brutal, especially in the early game. It did a great job of capturing the vibe of the computer games though.

As we played, we started to get a better grasp of the game’s strategy. You have to balance exploring with completing quests, managing your inventory, and dealing with the various factions vying for power. There’s a lot to keep track of, but it never felt overwhelming. The game gives you a main goal at the beginning, but you can also wander around and complete side quests or just explore.

One thing we really liked was the way the game handled player interaction. You can choose to cooperate with other players, trade items, or even betray them for your own gain. It adds a nice layer of social dynamics to the game, and it definitely led to some memorable moments around the table.

Closing Thoughts

• Replayability: With different scenarios and character combinations, the game offers a decent amount of replayability. I can see myself coming back to this one a few more times, especially with different groups of friends.
• Theme: As a Fallout fan, I loved how well the game captured the theme and atmosphere of the video games. The artwork, the characters, the events – it all felt very authentic.
• Complexity: It’s definitely a game that requires some time and effort to learn. If you’re new to board games, it might be a bit overwhelming at first. It took our group nearly three hours to finish.

After about three hours, we finally reached the end of the game. It was a close one, but in the end, the Vault Dweller managed to eke out a victory. We all had a blast, even though it was a bit of a learning experience. It really felt like we were living out our own little Fallout adventure.

Overall, I’d say Fallout: The Board Game is a solid choice for fans of the series and experienced board gamers alike. It’s not perfect, and it definitely has a learning curve, but it’s a fun and engaging experience that captures the spirit of Fallout. If you’re looking for a challenging and thematic board game to play with your friends, I’d definitely recommend giving it a try. Just be prepared to spend some time with the rulebook!