Fallout Tactics: Brotherhood of Steel

Fallout Tactics: Brotherhood of Steel branched off from the isometric RPGs of the series' earlier entries toward turn-based tactical strategy, in which the player commands a Brotherhood of Steel squad fighting mutants, raiders, and other threats across the post-apocalyptic American Midwest. Instead of the free exploration and dialogue-driven decisions of classic Fallout games, the focus here is on selecting units, equipping them, and battlefield tactics, resembling the tactical strategy genre more than the series' RPG heritage. The game also let players choose between classic turn-based combat and a real-time-with-pause mode, and offered multiplayer missions for players who wanted to test their tactics against each other.

The game offered a wide range of weapons, armor, and unit special abilities, with missions tied together by a simple campaign and a base where the squad's equipment could be upgraded. The visual style and dark humor of the series were retained, albeit with less emphasis on written content and morally consequential decisions, a noticeable difference for fans of earlier entries. It was developed by Micro Forte, which attempted to offer a different take on the Fallout universe with this departure from Interplay's format.

Reception was mixed; players looking for a sequel to the classic RPG were often disappointed by the departure from the established style, while fans of turn-based strategy found solid enjoyment in the combat system. Today, Fallout Tactics is seen as a curious and somewhat underappreciated detour in the series' history, more of a side chapter than a key entry, but for those interested in tactical RPGs in a post-apocalyptic setting it remains an interesting experience. The game takes place in areas around the American Midwest and Chicago, further from California than the classic entries, giving it its own, less-explored part of the Fallout universe map.

Why play it: For those interested in tactical RPGs in a post-apocalyptic setting, rather than seekers of a direct sequel to classic Fallout, it offers an interesting and little-explored branch of the series.