Bethesda shocked the gaming world Sunday night by not only revealing some amazing content for upcoming post-apocalyptic RPG Fallout 4, but by revealing a brand new iOS (Android coming soon) mobile game called Fallout Shelter. Then shocked the world even more by revealing it was available for iOS after their press conference. I’ve been going hands on with this game since launch day Sunday. Is it worth the space on your iPhone or iPod? Or are you better off wasting your time with another game? Let’s find out together!
In Fallout Shelter, players assume the role of a Vault Overseer, creating your own vault, room by room, and filling that vault with inhabitants who will make up your work force. Its very similar to other games such as Star Wars Death Star which was released and then pulled a few months later in 2013.
The premise is simple enough; you build up your vaults room and inhabitants by placing the correct people (based on randomly generated stats) into the correct work area room and also sending some vaultees out to explore the world for an undetermined amount of time. Characters you send out into the world should be equipped with the best armor and weapons you have available to you, or else certain doom awaits them. The lunch box system which gives you cards that contain various things like extra resources or extra bottle caps are a great touch that gives you something to work forward to by completing various challenges. There is no online requirement, nor is this like any other freemium mobile game where they shove a huge paywall down your throat. Bethesda gets it, they know people love to play their games and therefore they shouldn’t punish those who can’t pay while they print money all the way to the bank.
For a mobile game, Bethesda really put a lot of thought and work into how your shelter and the world around you look and feel. The graphics are incredibly good for a mobile title and running on my iPhone 6 Plus I saw no issues with lag or stuttering. The sounds and music design are also incredibly well done and it makes me feel like I’m a total badass when something like an underground invasion begins and you are just sat there watching it all unfold in front of you pretty much helpless to stop them.
My only real complaint about the game is the lack of resources that have been coming out of each “shift” of work. For starting players, especially, this could be a huge barrier for them to enjoying the game for what it is.
All in all, Fallout Shelter is a great start to what could be a very lucrative piece of the Mobile Gaming industry for Bethesda.