review fallout board game

So, I finally got around to playing the Fallout board game, the one from Fantasy Flight Games. I’ve been a huge Fallout fan since I first stumbled upon the series years ago. I loved those games, you know? So naturally, I was curious about how it would translate into a tabletop experience. I had heard some mixed things about it, people saying it’s great, others saying it’s just okay. But hey, I had to see for myself.

First thing I did was gather a few buddies who were also into board games. We set up a game night, ordered some pizza, and cracked open the box. Inside, you’ve got a bunch of map tiles, tokens, cards, and these cool little plastic figures representing different characters. We spent a good chunk of time just punching out all the cardboard pieces and getting everything organized.

Next up was learning the rules. Now, the rulebook is a bit hefty, I won’t lie. It took us a while to get through it all, and even then, we had to keep flipping back to double-check things during the game. There’s a lot going on, with different actions you can take, how combat works, and all the different scenarios.

Once we finally got the hang of it, we started playing. Each of us picked a wanderer from different factions like the Vault Dweller, Wastelander, Super Mutant, Ghoul, and Brotherhood Outcast. You start with a basic item and a skill, and then you’re off exploring the wasteland. The game board is made up of tiles that you reveal as you move around, so it’s different every time you play.

We spent the next few hours exploring, completing quests, fighting off raiders and super mutants, and collecting loot. There’s a lot of dice rolling involved, especially in combat. Sometimes it felt a bit too random, but that’s part of the charm, I guess. You never quite know what’s going to happen.

One thing I really liked was the way the game lets you make choices that affect the story. You encounter different factions and have to decide whether to help them or not. These choices can lead to different outcomes and even change the ending of the game. It’s a cool way to make it feel like you’re actually part of the Fallout world.

We played for about three hours, and in the end, one of my friends managed to win by completing enough objectives and gaining the most influence. It was a close game though, and we all had a blast.

Here are some of my takeaways from playing:

• Setup: Took a while to set everything up and learn the rules.
• Gameplay: Fun and engaging, with lots of exploration and combat. It typically takes between 2–3 hours to complete.
• Choices: The choices you make actually matter and affect the game.
• Replayability: The modular board and different scenarios make each game feel unique.

Overall, I had a really good time with the Fallout board game. It’s not perfect, but it definitely captures the spirit of the video games. If you’re a fan of Fallout and enjoy board games, I’d say it’s worth checking out. Just be prepared to spend some time learning the rules, and maybe have a few snacks on hand for those longer gaming sessions.

I’ve heard that the new TV show is getting exceptional reviews, I may have to check that out too. If you’ve given the show a watch, let me know what you thought in the comments!