There was a time when the Fallout series was an excellent CRPG that had unfortunately not reached mainstream levels of popularity due to the inherently obtuse nature of the genre this game was based in. However, all of this changed once the Fallout IP was acquired by Bethesda. All of a sudden, people were intrigued at the idea of playing a 3D open-world Fallout game that would prove to be quite a novel experience in its own right.

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So, when Fallout 3 was finally released, people were amazed at the brilliance of what is easily one of the best open-world games of all time. Bethesda's reputation as a studio was at an all-time high when this game was released, allowing players to roam through the desolate Capital Wasteland as they crafted their own personal story as the Lone Wanderer.

During their journey, these players managed to traverse through the following memorable and awe-inspiring locations in the game as well.

10 Dunwich Building

Dunwich Building in Fallout 3

Easily one of the most atmospheric locations in Fallout 3, the Dunwich Building is definitely a place that any fan of Fallout 3 should check out, mainly due to the masterful design of this particular area.

From experiencing full-on flashbacks to the generally creepy vibe of this area, there's no denying the fact that the Dunwich Building is easily one of the highlights in a game that's already stellar enough as is.

9 Old Olney

Old Olney in Fallout 3

While not breathtaking in the conventional sense, Old Olney definitely can take the player's breath away... quite literally, when they get ambushed by a horde of Deathclaws who definitely mean serious business.

This makes Old Olney one of the most dangerous areas in the entire game, and high-level players who want to get their revenge for being ambushed in this area will be more than happy with clearing out this settlement over and over again.

8 Republic Of Dave

Republic Of Dave in Fallout 3

Easily one of the weirdest — and, as a result, more entertaining — areas in the entire game, the Republic of Dave is easily the place to be for the Lone Wanderer if he wishes to enjoy an entertaining romp as they help out the residents of this small settlement.

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The quests and memorable NPCs of this area are one of the many reasons why the Republic of Dave ends up being such a memorable and lively location in the otherwise desolate land of Fallout 3.

7 Temple Of The Union

Temple Of The Union in Fallout 3

Easily serving as one of the more unique areas in Fallout 3, the Temple of the Union is definitely the place to be for anyone who wishes to experience the game and its brilliance to its fullest.

Featuring an intriguing group of characters, coupled with a pretty interesting background to the area itself, the Temple of the Union can definitely be a great place for any budding Fallout 3 aficionado to explore.

6 Agatha's House

Agatha's House in Fallout 3

A lot of areas in Fallout 3 aren't exactly beautiful in the manner that one might expect — rather, it's the stories and atmosphere of these places that make these areas so intriguing and mesmerizing.

In that regard, Agatha's house is easily one of the most beautiful parts of the entire game. Entering a seemingly decrepit and forgotten house, only to hear the most beautiful notes played by Agatha on her violin makes this area all the more memorable.

5 Canterbury Commons

Canterbury Commons in Fallout 3

One of the more notable areas in the entire game, the Canterbury Commons is something that most players would've definitely happened upon during their trek through the Capital Wasteland.

The people and stories present in this area instantly place it a cut above the rest, making for a location that can allow for some truly memorable experiences in the game.

4 Big Town

Big Town in Fallout 3

The plight of the people in Big Town and the manner in which the Lone Wanderer aids the residents to save themselves from constant super mutant and slaver attacks is easily one of the best parts of the entire game.

It certainly helps that exploring this once-bustling suburban area is also a blast in its own right, as well.

3 Megaton

Megaton in Fallout 3

Of course, it would be impossible to talk about the brilliance of Fallout 3's locations without mentioning one of the most iconic locations in the area... that can be completely razed to the ground as well if the player wishes this to be the case!

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Megaton is easily one of the most iconic locations in video gaming history, and any player getting into Fallout 3 should definitely make it a point to visit this unique location at some point or the other.

2 Andale

Andale in Fallout 3

The town of Andale might seem rather innocuous at first glance... but it's the grotesque horrors that lie within that make this area such a surprising — and disgusting — highlight in Fallout 3.

Uncovering the horrifying secret of Andale's residents can prove to be quite a harrowing experience for the player... but one can't deny that it's weirdly entertaining in its own right due to the masterful nature in which this story is conveyed to the player.

1 Vault 106

Vault 106 and Player's Hallucination sequence

There are various Vaults that one can explore in the world of Fallout 3, but one can argue that Vault 106 stands out as perhaps the most intriguing Vault that players can explore in the game.

The idea of roaming around in a Vault where psychoactive drugs are being pumped constantly might seem like a rather entertaining idea, but the insane residents of this Vault would definitely feel otherwise.

NEXT: Fallout 3 Vs. Fallout 4: Which Game Is Better?