What year is Fallout 4 set in?

The timeline of Bethesda's Fallout franchise features some of the richest, most fascinating lore out there, and each game takes place at a different point after the Great War from the perspective of a different protagonist. Here’s our handy guide that answers what year Fallout 4 is set in.

When does Fallout 4 take place in the series timeline?

Set in the northeastern Commonwealth area of Boston, Fallout 4 takes place in the year 2287. This puts it the furthest down the established post-apocalyptic timeline, 10 years after the events of Fallout 3 and 6 years after New Vegas.

Fallout 4 took a decidedly different approach to introducing its story premise, starting with a rare glimpse into the retro-futuristic world before the bombs fell. Of course, that peace is short-lived as the game's protagonist soon witnesses the beginning of the nuclear holocaust and scrambles to escape into nearby Vault 111 with their family. The beginning of Amazon Prime's highly acclaimed Fallout series followed the same strategy, albeit through the eyes of Howard Cooper.

Related: Fallout 4 player notices cigarette machine detail 8 years later

What is Fallout 4 about?

Each Fallout game gives the protagonist an iconic moniker for them to go by (e.g. - Lone Wanderer, Courier, etc), and in Fallout 4 you are the Sole Survivor. After awakening from cryogenic slumber inside the Vault and witnessing the death of your spouse and the kidnapping of your son by mysterious invaders, so begins your main quest to find and rescue him.

As the latest mainstream title in Bethesda's acclaimed franchise, Fallout 4 broke the mold of the previous games by utilizing a new engine, which allowed it to incorporate new features such as a more detailed character creator and settlement base building. It's also the first title in the series to feature full-length voice acting for the Sole Survivor protagonist, adding a new narrative dynamic to the experience.

Thanks to the incredible hype created by Prime's Fallout show, games like Fallout 4, Fallout 76 and even the older titles like New Vegas have experience a huge spike in player activity for the first time in years.

Be sure to check out all of our latest guides and features for Fallout, such as fans spotting a Todd Howard Napoleon painting the Prime TV show.