8.5 /10 21

Wasteland 3 stands as one of the most accomplished CRPGs of the current generation, earning an 85 on Metacritic through consistently thoughtful design, reactive world-building, and a commitment to player agency that few post-apocalyptic games can match. Released in 2020 by inXile Entertainment, this Colorado-set adventure expands on Wasteland 2 with deeper systems, voice acting, and the addition of 2-player online co-op.

The game challenges players to rebuild civilization after nuclear devastation while navigating warring factions, moral choices, and tactical combat encounters that demand careful squad composition and positioning. This review explores how Wasteland 3 achieves critical acclaim while examining where it stumbles, and who should prioritize this 50-60 hour investment.

How to Play Wasteland 3

Wasteland 3 combines real-time exploration with tactical turn-based combat. Players lead a squad of up to six Rangers through Colorado’s wasteland, encountering enemies, NPCs, and environmental puzzles. Combat plays out on grid-based maps where action points determine movement and ability usage, requiring players to leverage cover, positioning, and crowd control. Progression comes through character leveling, skill points, weapon upgrades, and faction reputation that shapes available missions and story outcomes.

1. Controls – WASD movement with mouse clicks for interactions; turn-based combat uses point-and-click targeting with extensive keybind options
2. Progression – Complete main quests and side missions to earn experience; unlock skills through attribute increases and skill points; crafting gear from blueprints and components
3. Combat/Mechanics – Position six squad members on grid maps; use cover for damage reduction; crowd control and elemental effects counter enemy abilities; action points limit actions per turn
4. Tips – Create a balanced squad with tank, damage dealers, and support roles; experiment with crowd control early; save before major faction decisions

Who Should Play Wasteland 3

Wasteland 3 appeals to players who value narrative depth, tactical challenge, and meaningful choices. Turn-based CRPG fans will find familiar systems, while newcomers to the genre may appreciate the more curated experience compared to Divinity: Original Sin 2. The co-op feature creates a compelling multiplayer option for RPG fans seeking shared adventures.

• CRPG Enthusiasts – Fallout and Baldur’s Gate fans will recognize the lineage; squad-based tactics and choice systems deliver exactly what this audience craves
• Co-op Seekers – The full-game 2-player cooperative mode is genuinely well-implemented, allowing players to separate, handle different quests, and reunite for combat
• Narrative Lovers – Branching storylines with faction systems create multiple playthroughs; no two runs feel identical due to locked-out content based on choices
• Skip if – Real-time action fans will struggle with turn-based pacing; those seeking sprawling open worlds should look elsewhere (maps are compact and linear)

Wasteland 3 Platform Performance

Wasteland 3 maintains solid performance across platforms, though PC offers the best visual fidelity and loading times. Console versions run at capped frame rates with minor graphical compromises, while the Switch and Linux ports arrived later with appropriate graphical scaling.

Wasteland 3 System Requirements

Wasteland 3 requires moderate computing power by 2020 standards. The minimum spec supports 1080p gameplay, while recommended specs deliver smooth 4K/60fps experiences on modern hardware. The 52GB installation demands adequate SSD space for comfortable loading times.

Similar Games to Wasteland 3

Wasteland 3 occupies a specific niche within tactical CRPGs. Players seeking comparable experiences should consider games that prioritize choice-driven narratives and turn-based combat mechanics. Each recommendation offers distinct design philosophies while maintaining core appeal to Wasteland fans.

• Divinity: Original Sin 2 – More expansive magical systems and environmental interactivity; lighter, more experimental approach to co-op and narrative branching
• Baldur’s Gate 3 – D&D 5e ruleset with incredible dialogue options; significantly larger game scope with more origin story variations
• Fallout: New Vegas – Similar post-apocalyptic setting with deeper roleplay mechanics; older systems but stronger writing in many player’s opinions
• Shadowrun: Dragonfall – Sci-fi/fantasy hybrid with smaller scope; strong cyberpunk atmosphere and squad tactics focus

Wasteland 3 vs Competitors

Wasteland 3 holds its ground against contemporaries through superior voice acting, faction depth, and co-op implementation. Compared to Divinity 2, it offers more character agency but less environmental creativity. Against Baldur’s Gate 3, it provides tighter pacing but less dialogue options and shorter runtime.

Wasteland 3 Story and World

Set in a post-nuclear Colorado, Wasteland 3 follows the last survivor of Ranger squad November as they rebuild civilization from scratch. The narrative avoids the typical desert wasteland aesthetic by embracing frozen, irradiated Colorado landscapes populated by militias, cults, robots, and idealistic settlers. The Patriarch, a dictatorial leader, serves as primary antagonist, but the real story emerges through factional conflicts—the Gippers (militaristic patriots), the Marshals (law-and-order types), and various gangs vie for power. The game’s strength lies in faction-based story pivots: decisions to support one faction lock you out of another’s content, creating genuinely branching narrative paths. Characters possess depth beyond stereotypes, with voice acting adding personality to dialogue-heavy quest chains. The tone balances dark humor with genuine stakes, creating an atmosphere where player choices feel consequential without the game becoming grimdark.

Wasteland 3 Multiplayer and Online

Wasteland 3’s co-op implementation stands as the gold standard for turn-based RPG multiplayer, offering full-game playthrough support with minimal compromise. Both players share squad control (splitting six rangers however desired), manage a shared inventory, and engage in combat simultaneously. Asynchronous co-op allows one player to continue solo while the other is offline, resuming shared progress upon reconnection.

• 2-Player Co-op Campaign – Full game playthrough with squad control divided between players; requires both players online for major story moments
• Asynchronous Play – Save sharing allows solo progression; both players can explore separately on the same save file
• Unique Co-op Moments – Double-turn-in quests to rival NPCs (double rewards); environmental events trigger based on both players’ presence
• Cross-Play – PC-to-PC and console-to-console only; no cross-platform co-op between PC and Xbox

Wasteland 3 DLC and Expansions

Wasteland 3’s post-launch content includes two substantial DLC packs expanding the Colorado setting. The Battle of Steeltown adds 6-8 hours of new content with manufacturing-focused storytelling, while Cult of the Holy Detonation offers smaller scenarios. All DLC integrates seamlessly into the main campaign at level 9+.

• The Battle of Steeltown – $13.99; 6-hour expansion focusing on factory management and worker/management faction conflicts; introduces new weapons with cumulative effects
• Cult of the Holy Detonation – $6.99; smaller DLC scenarios exploring post-launch storylines and character content
• Season Pass – $19.99; includes all DLC plus cosmetics and Colorado Survival Gear pack
• Free Updates – Regular balance patches and quality-of-life improvements; active support through 2021-2022

Wasteland 3 Community and Support

The Wasteland 3 community remains active across platforms, with strong engagement on Reddit and Discord. inXile Entertainment maintains official forums and responds to player feedback. The game lacks native mod support on consoles but benefits from community guides documenting build optimization and quest solutions.

• Official Forums – inXile hosts support forums for technical issues; developers occasionally engage with feedback
• Reddit/Discord – r/Wasteland and community Discord servers discuss strategies, builds, and co-op coordination
• Mod Support – PC version supports community modifications through manual file editing; no Steam Workshop integration
• Updates – Major content patches released Q3 2021 (1.4.0) and continued balance adjustments through early access for expansions