In Fallout 2, players engage in turn-based combat and exploration from an isometric perspective, allowing for strategic decision-making in battles and interactions with the environment. The game features a deep character customization system known as S.P.E.C.I.A.L., where players can assign skills, perks, and traits to their character.

The storyline of Fallout 2 follows the Chosen One, a descendant of the original Vault Dweller, who is tasked with retrieving the Garden of Eden Creation Kit to restore life to the Wasteland. This journey involves navigating a world filled with various factions, mutants, and moral dilemmas.

Fallout 2 stands out with its rich narrative choices and consequences, allowing players to shape their character's karma and reputation, which influences interactions with different settlements and characters throughout the game.