Fallout 1 and 2, incredible games

Everynow and then an RPG (role playing game) comes along that becomes an instant hit with everyone and gains incredible mainstream status. Then there are RPGs that become incredible cult classics and are left as undiscovered jewels. Fallout is one of these games.
It's hard to describe the magnificence and depth this game provides, but I'll try.
In Fallout 1 the setting is in the post apolyptic future, mankind has destroyed much of the world and all that is left on the surface are scattered settlements and cities, with radiation plauging much of the land. Imagine movies like Mad Max and you'll get the picture.
Before the destruction of much of the world, vaults were built deep within the earth. These vaults were undergound settlements were people thrived. You are one of the members of these vaults, and your vault has just been faced with a big problem. The water chip that distributes water has not arrived from the outside world, and now you must ascend towards the surface for the first time and find it.
Fallout embodies the non linear RPG style. You can do whatever u want when u want. You can travel anywhere at the start of the game (if you can find it...) You travel the world from a birds eye view (like baldurs gate but with a hex moving base) with many weapons at your disposal, miniguns, shotguns, bb guns, wakazishi blades, pulse grenades, rocket launchers, uzis, tommy guns, baseball bats, laser guns, and hundreds more. You can effectively use your hands or a katana as well as using a vindicator mini gun. Armor ranges from leather jackets to metal armor to advanced power armor and much more.
You encounter all sorts of enemies, aliens, mutated cows, monsters, mutants, gangsters, yakuza...actually you can fight anyone you encounter in this game. You can play with a bad reputation or a good reputation.
Throughout the game there are hundereds of hilarious refrences to pop culture and hidden goodies. The characters are humorous and, the quests are numerous. You can become a boxer, work for gangs in new reno, become a pornstar, become a hero, free slaves, etc..
The fighting style to this game is unique as well. You fight with action points, meaning any action costs a certain amount of points, so the more you have the more you can do. You can use your points to move, attack, open ur inventory, etc.
Finally, another aspect of this game that makes it so great is it's unique stat system. You don't pick classes, you develop the personality and abilities of your character through perks and abilities. Perks range from kama sutra master (women like you) to sniper (95% of hits with guns are critical hits), from Smooth talker (increased speech) to thievery (better pickpocketing, lockpicking and sneaking).
So if you want a game that is very original, fun, filled with references and easter eggs, and has a high replay value, get fallout.