Fallout 3 was Bethesda's first attempt at bringing the established IP to life. They knew that PC gamers had high expectations. Lifelong Fallout fans expected the same quality storylines but knew that the gameplay would essentially change. Bethesda did their best to not only make PC gamers happy but also make the franchise more accessible to console players who never heard of the game.
Bethesda successfully brought the isometric series into both first and third person. Though gamers would no longer have the isometric view they were used to, they could now enjoy an open-world style game. Fallout 3 also brought in more action elements into the series. Where Bethesda seemed to falter was the main plot. Faithful fans gave Bethesda a chance but were ultimately disappointed at the ending. After listening to fan complaints, they decided to extend the ending, no matter which path gamers chose, with the Broken Steel DLC. Fallout 3 continued to see additional DLC content over the next few years.
As with most video games, Bethesda was not able to include all of the content they planned for the game. The cut content may be due to time limitations, or it failed to live up to the expectations of the developer. In Fallout 3's case, several pieces of content were cut that could have completely changed the way you played the game. It would have added in more quests or even more weapons to help you help others in the Capital Wasteland.
Curious about what was left out of Fallout 3? Our list compiles some of the content that made it into the game. Our list contains massive spoilers for the game, including the DLC.
25 Not Every Region Enjoyed The Same Game
Not all countries may receive the same version of a video game when it's launched.
When Fallout 3 was localized in Japan, it saw significant cuts or else it would have been banned.
In "The Power of the Atom," players did not have the evil choice of detonating the bomb in the center of the town. The Fat Man nuclear weapon was renamed to the Nuka Launcher. Some of the scenes that occurred with living humans were also removed from the game, but any non-human fighting remained in-tact.
24 Fun But Ultimately Useless
Not every weapon and item in Fallout 3 has the potential to make the Lone Wanderer stronger. Some weapons were so unusual that they were perhaps too useless for the final game.
"Phil's fun projectiles" were dog shaped bullets. The animal used was a "Vicious Dog" enemy. Any weapon in the game would have the ability to use these unusual bullets. When fired, you'll hear a dog bark. While the bullets are dog-shaped, they perform like any other ammo in the game.
23 A Bigger Birthday Bash
When the Lone Wanderer turned ten, James held a birthday party in the cafeteria. Several children showed up, including Butch and Amara. Two children are missing from your party for an unknown reason. Special events are likely rare in the vault, so Susie Mack and Christine Kendall they must have been too sick to party. Susie and Christine do eventually show up in Vault 101, but not until much later. They don't show up in the Lone Wanderer's life until turning into adults. You won't get the opportunity to ask them why they missed your 10th birthday.
22 Discover The Truth Behind The Plague
Point Lookout wasn't affected by the nuclear war. The small region simply began to deteriorate as time went by. Once entering the area, you'll immediately notice that the settlers living in the swamp have become sick. It's believed that they are dealing with a strain of the disease. The "New Plague Pamphlet" was a holodisk that was cut from the DLC.
The holotape outlines information about protecting yourself from the "New Plague" in Point Lookout.
The holotape would have informed players of exactly what was going on and what made these settlers so dangerous.
21 Learn More About Synths Before The Sequel
In the side quest "The Replicated Man," the Lone Wanderer must help Dr. Zimmer recover his missing Synth. The problem is that the Synth believes he's a human and is unaware of his true identity. Part of the quest was removed from the game. The Wanderer's journey would have taken them to Paradise Falls, where Little Toe resides. Little Toe's role in the quest is unclear, but he may have provided more information about the missing Synth. Little Toe may have also been a Synth who decided to take on a terrible job role.
20 Obtain A Weapon From The Past
When the Lone Wanderer is abducted and trapped on Mothership Zeta, they'll quickly discover they're not so alone. There are other people from different eras who are also trapped on the alien ship. One of those victims is a samurai. Before it was removed, the Lone Wanderer would have discovered a beta weapon named the "Katana." It's unclear how the Lone Wanderer would have obtained this weapon. It may have been a gift from the samurai or had to be taken by force. Either way, it would have made our adventures on the alien ship much more exciting.
19 Meet Hard Working Robots
While journeying through the Capital Wasteland and in later games, robotic companions are surviving on their own. They may be defending an abandoned building or helping out a group of people.
Mister Mulberry would have been one of the very first Mister Handy robots the Lone Wanderer met after leaving Vault 101.
The robotic servant is located inside of Moriarty's Saloon. Within the game files, he has a few lines, but his exact role at the business is unclear.
18 Combining The Past And The Present
Fallout fans were disappointed when perks were not added to the final version of the game. Bethesda began working on adding some familiar traits from the previous games but it was eventually scrapped.
One of those traits was "Kamikaze." According to its description from Fallout 2: "By not paying attention to any threats, you can act a lot faster in a turn. This lowers your Armor Class to just what you are wearing, but you sequence much faster in a combat turn." The Lone Wanderer's sequence got a +5 Bonus, but any armor class is lowered to zero.
17 Meet A Friendly Glowing Ghoul
While there are many Feral Ghouls within the Capital Wasteland, some have managed to adapt to their new forms. Most Glowing One ghouls are so irradiated that they are only interested in attacking you than making friends.
Meat is a Glowing One that had the potential to be friendly. He was planned to work in The Chop Shop in the Underworld, a safe haven for docile Ghouls. While he never made it in the game, his existence provides that not all Ghoul mutations were bad.
16 Great For Underground Metro Tunnels
After the Great War, not every region managed to go back to normal. The Capital Wasteland lacks food, water, and power sources. The Lone Wanderer can barely see in dark spaces, such as the Metro tunnels. "Ant Vision" would have changed that. This special player effect would have been activated after eating Ant Nectar.
The Lone Wanderer's Ant Vision would guide them through areas, even if they were pitch black.
This special effect would have been a great help during all those moments navigating through Fallout 3's abandoned buildings.
15 An Unusual Mutated Mirelurk
Mirelurks are giant horseshoe crabs hit with too much radiation. They primarily haunt the Capital Wasteland but may appear in any area with water. According to The Art of Fallout 3 book, another Mirelurk species was planned.
The Catfish Mirelurk was a mutated catfish that could stand on two legs. It appeared similar to crab Mirelurks but had a fish appearance with two whiskers. While it's unfortunate that more species of mirelurks weren't included in the game, that's less radiated creatures the Lone Wanderer has to fight off.
14 A Colorful Beacon In The Wasteland
Not everyone gets a chance to wear the Brotherhood of Steel power armor. It is a unique skill that has to be learned from the faction, which usually means completing a difficult task for them first. After getting a set of armor, you may feel that it doesn't look as cool as you'd hope.
Within the game files, gamers discovered a unique set of armor. This Pink Power Armor would have may anyone stand out in the Capital Wasteland. To make the armor even cuter, a small heart was placed on the front.
13 Lightning At Your Fingertips
The Broken Steel DLC extended the main story but also contained unique weapons.
One of the weapons that were cut was a unique AER9 laser rifle called the "Lightning Gun."
When it's used, the first attack creates a gas cloud. The next round will fire a laser beam into the gas. The combination of strikes would create an explosion, similar to lightning. The attack would light up the entire room. Unfortunately, the weapon has the potential to hurt the Lone Wanderer if they are standing too close to the target.
12 Get To Know The Story Behind Vault 92
During the quest "Agatha's song," the Lone Wanderer is tasked with retrieving the Soil Stradivarius for an old violinist. Their adventure would have led to Vault 92. This was one of Vault-Tec's experimental vaults that was creating super soldiers with subliminal suggestions.
Professor John Malleus was the main scientist in charge, but he disagreed with the experiment. There is a model of him that was created, but removed from the game. The Lone Wanderer would have met him and learned more about the terrible events that occurred within Vault 92.
11 Feel Inspired By Tenpenny Radio
When you're tired of hearing the same news replayed on Galaxy News Radio, Tenpenny Tower radio contains entertaining stories. Allistair Tenpenny recorded several "Tenpenny Truisms" which were meant to inspire listeners. They were recorded to make Tenpenny sound like a radio celebrity. Several lines of his inspiring "truisms" were cut from the game. Though the radio station is meant for entertainment more than gameplay value, it would have made all those long walks in the Capital Wasteland much more enjoyable.
10 Fallout 2’s Underground Mutants Return
Wanamingos first appeared underground in Fallout 2. According to Marge LeBarge, they were "tall as two men, stronger than a bull brahmin, and with flappers instead of arms." These creatures were initially planned to appear in Fallout 3.
Their mutated relatives would have likely appeared in caves or other dark underground regions.
The Art of Fallout shows they had arms instead of flappers and were slightly pink from radiation. Their appearance was more similar to frogs than the creatures in Fallout 2.
9 Hunters Help Out In Rock Creek
Rock Creek Caverns were a series of tunnels swarming with mirelurks. Unless you've brought a companion to help you fight them off, it can be a lonely experience.
The Rock Creek Hunters were a group of seven NPCs who were cut from the final game. Their final role was never explained. Gamers believe they were a group of hunters who wanted to sell mirelurk parts or even hunted the creatures for food. The Rock Creek Hunters may have even contracted the Lone Wanderer to assist their excavation of the cavern.
8 GNR Radio Station Gets A New DJ
Galaxy News Radio is the Capital Wasteland's top radio station for hearing the latest news. Not everyone is so thrilled with Three Dog's reporting. If the charismatic DJ is eliminated during the story, you'll hear various morse code and may miss the mid-90s music.
Before she was removed, the station's mechanic, Margaret, would have stepped in to replace him. Galaxy News Radio would continue to be the Wasteland's best source of news, even in the absence of Three Dog.
7 Pull Up More Seats To The Dinner Table
Andale is one of the creepiest settlements of the Capital Wasteland. The settlers are so desperate for food that they've been using visitors as forbidden meat.
The settlement was originally planned to have four families instead of the two that were included in the game.
The Williams family was composed of Mary and Noah, while Karen and Noah made up the Johnsons. The Williams and Johns were likely to keep the Lone Wanderer away from the basement, where their secrets were hidden. At least the settlement of Andale wasn't entirely removed from the game.
6 Defeating Enemies Has A Glowing Effect
Once enemies are defeated, they often dramatically fall to the ground. The game planned to have after effects added. "Atomization" was a critical defeat effect. When enemies fall in battle, their body is first engulfed in a green blast. The enemy's body will have a green-tinted glow when it's on the ground. This after effect may have been related to a missing perk. Though it doesn't have a significant impact on gameplay, it would have made investing points into intelligence and science worth the effort.