This underrated post-apocalyptic RPG is the perfect blend of Fallout and Baldur's Gate, which means I've already played for 38 hours and killed Santa

GamesRPGWasteland 3This underrated post-apocalyptic RPG is the perfect blend of Fallout and Baldur’s Gate, which means I’ve already played for 38 hours and killed SantaWhen you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission.Here’s how it works. GamesRPGWasteland 3This underrated post-apocalyptic RPG is the perfect blend of Fallout and Baldur’s Gate, which means I’ve already played for 38 hours and killed SantaWhen you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission.Here’s how it works. When you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission.Here’s how it works. (Image credit: InXile Entertainment) It’s mid-October, and I’ve just killed Santa. Not therealbig man, I should clarify, but someone remarkably similar. Besides having the same name, he’s got the same cozy red robes, a workshop full of elves who are hard at work, and a fondness for home-baked cookies. Unfortunately, we’re meeting in post-apocalyptic RPG Wasteland 3, where nothing is as sweet as it seems. Out in the wasteland of Colorado, ol' Kris Kringle rules his workshop with an iron fist. His elves – who make highly addictive drugs, not toys – beg for death if not freedom, and are collared with explosive fairy lights. As I’m playing a band of do-gooder Desert Rangers sent north from Arizona to secure supplies, my first instinct is to liberate these elves peacefully. But when I find a computer and disable the “naughty list”, which is Santa’s programme for remotely detonating his elves' collars, St. Nick drops his kindly veneer and unleashes legions of festively-named robots to kill ranger and elf alike. When the fighting ends, Santa and his scrapheap lie in pieces across the floor, and his captives are free. Er, kind of. There’s one last choice to make: do we free his elves so that they can start a new life in the wastes, or keep them indentured under new management? Hohoho, welcome to Wasteland 3. Rather be in Colorado (Image credit: inXile Entertainment) Here’s what we said…(Image credit: InXile Entertainment)Wasteland 3 review: “A terrifically executed RPG that rewards player investment” Here’s what we said… (Image credit: InXile Entertainment)Wasteland 3 review: “A terrifically executed RPG that rewards player investment” (Image credit: InXile Entertainment) Wasteland 3 review: “A terrifically executed RPG that rewards player investment” Try as I might to get into those first Fallout games, I’ve never been able to break through the awkwardness that comes with their age. It’s particularly frustrating becauseBaldur’s Gate 3has left me with a craving for more isometric RPGs, and I suspect that Fallout would scratch that itch if I could only work out what to do with it. Fortunately, Wasteland 3 pairs Fallout’s long-revered tone with modern sensibilities – and after rolling credits on my first 38-hour playthrough, I’m a little shocked this one crept past me for so long. (Image credit: InXile Entertainment) Sign up to the GamesRadar+ Newsletter Weekly digests, tales from the communities you love, and more Besides stressing over every line of dialog, I loved watching my Rangers slowly become a force to be reckoned with. Wasteland 3’s turn-based combat starts tough – early on I constantly ran out of ammo mid-fight – but as you gather better gear and invest more points into your party’s skills, the tide shifts. Wasteland 3’s systems all feed nicely into one another, and your character sheets play a big part in fighting: my resident tech nerd, for example, could turn enemy robots and turrets against each other; while expert lockpicker Coyote unlocked side-routes that often led to perfect flanks. On a baser level, fighting is wildly satisfying. Cryo guns can turn opponents into delicate statues waiting to be shattered, while a critical hit from one particularly powerful laser sniper rifle could disintegrate a raider in a single shot. I won’t spoil how I used all of that accumulated power, in the hopes that any Baldur’s Gate or Fallout fan reading this will give Wasteland 3 (which is on Game Pass!) a shot. But I will say one thing: when the credits rolled and I watched slide after slide outlining the consequences of my choices, Santa’s elves were nowhere to be seen. Did they find new, better lives somewhere else in Colorado? Are they still toiling in that forever-festive workshop, making sweetly moreish Brain Candy for some Rangers who lost their way while make Colorado a better place? I already know the answer, but I’m sure as sleigh-bells not telling. Can’t get enough of setting the world on fire? We recommend checking out thesegames like Fallout. 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is all bark and no bite"1Doctor Who 2024 Christmas special review: “Ncuti Gatwa is as magnetic as ever in this delightful festive treat"2Secret Level review: “An uneven experience with serious highlights that ultimately make up for the misses"3Skeleton Crew review: “Perfectly captures the vibes of classic Star Wars with a swashbuckling twist"4Creature Commandos review: “James Gunn’s heartwarming, R-rated tale about super-monsters proves that the DCU is in good hands"5Cobra Kai season 6, part 2 review: “Returns to the sort of hard-hitting form that made it such a fan favorite in the first place” GAME REVIEWSMOVIE REVIEWSTV REVIEWS 1Nemesis review: “A magical sense of tension” 1Nemesis review: “A magical sense of tension” 1 Nemesis review: “A magical sense of tension” 2Arcs review: “A whole lot of game in a small package” 2Arcs review: “A whole lot of game in a small package” 2 Arcs review: “A whole lot of game in a small package” 3Path of Exile 2 review: “A stellar start to a thrilling and brutal dark adventure” 3Path of Exile 2 review: “A stellar start to a thrilling and brutal dark adventure” 3 Path of Exile 2 review: “A stellar start to a thrilling and brutal dark adventure” 4Indiana Jones and the Great Circle review: “The best adventure Indy has embarked on in over 30 years” 4Indiana Jones and the Great Circle review: “The best adventure Indy has embarked on in over 30 years” 4 Indiana Jones and the Great Circle review: “The best adventure Indy has embarked on in over 30 years” 5Marvel Rivals review: “So preoccupied with trying to be like Overwatch that it forgets to play to its own strengths” 5Marvel Rivals review: “So preoccupied with trying to be like Overwatch that it forgets to play to its own strengths” 5 Marvel Rivals review: “So preoccupied with trying to be like Overwatch that it forgets to play to its own strengths” 1Sonic the Hedgehog 3 review: “Keanu Reeves as Shadow is wasted whilst Jim Carrey steals the show” 1Sonic the Hedgehog 3 review: “Keanu Reeves as Shadow is wasted whilst Jim Carrey steals the show” 1 Sonic the Hedgehog 3 review: “Keanu Reeves as Shadow is wasted whilst Jim Carrey steals the show” 2Mufasa: The Lion King review – “It’s no Hakuna Matata but this Disney origin story is a class above the 2019 movie” 2Mufasa: The Lion King review – “It’s no Hakuna Matata but this Disney origin story is a class above the 2019 movie” 2 Mufasa: The Lion King review – “It’s no Hakuna Matata but this Disney origin story is a class above the 2019 movie” 3Kraven the Hunter review: “The insistence on an R-rating helps save this, with a decent helping of bloodthirsty action” 3Kraven the Hunter review: “The insistence on an R-rating helps save this, with a decent helping of bloodthirsty action” 3 Kraven the Hunter review: “The insistence on an R-rating helps save this, with a decent helping of bloodthirsty action” 4The Lord of the Rings: The War of the Rohirrim review – “An uninspired expansion of the most iconic screen take on Tolkien” 4The Lord of the Rings: The War of the Rohirrim review – “An uninspired expansion of the most iconic screen take on Tolkien” 4 The Lord of the Rings: The War of the Rohirrim review – “An uninspired expansion of the most iconic screen take on Tolkien” 5Nightbitch review: “Amy Adams' disappointing dark comedy is all bark and no bite” 5Nightbitch review: “Amy Adams' disappointing dark comedy is all bark and no bite” 5 Nightbitch review: “Amy Adams' disappointing dark comedy is all bark and no bite” 1Doctor Who 2024 Christmas special review: “Ncuti Gatwa is as magnetic as ever in this delightful festive treat” 1Doctor Who 2024 Christmas special review: “Ncuti Gatwa is as magnetic as ever in this delightful festive treat” 1 Doctor Who 2024 Christmas special review: “Ncuti Gatwa is as magnetic as ever in this delightful festive treat” 2Secret Level review: “An uneven experience with serious highlights that ultimately make up for the misses” 2Secret Level review: “An uneven experience with serious highlights that ultimately make up for the misses” 2 Secret Level review: “An uneven experience with serious highlights that ultimately make up for the misses” 3Skeleton Crew review: “Perfectly captures the vibes of classic Star Wars with a swashbuckling twist” 3Skeleton Crew review: “Perfectly captures the vibes of classic Star Wars with a swashbuckling twist” 3 Skeleton Crew review: “Perfectly captures the vibes of classic Star Wars with a swashbuckling twist” 4Creature Commandos review: “James Gunn’s heartwarming, R-rated tale about super-monsters proves that the DCU is in good hands” 4Creature Commandos review: “James Gunn’s heartwarming, R-rated tale about super-monsters proves that the DCU is in good hands” 4 Creature Commandos review: “James Gunn’s heartwarming, R-rated tale about super-monsters proves that the DCU is in good hands” 5Cobra Kai season 6, part 2 review: “Returns to the sort of hard-hitting form that made it such a fan favorite in the first place” 5Cobra Kai season 6, part 2 review: “Returns to the sort of hard-hitting form that made it such a fan favorite in the first place” 5 Cobra Kai season 6, part 2 review: “Returns to the sort of hard-hitting form that made it such a fan favorite in the first place”