Fallout is the grandfather of them all — the best graphical CRPG of our time. Only Planescape: Torment and Baldur's Gate 2: Shadows of Amn can claim to compete with this post-apocalyptic legend. To date, no CRPG I've played (and I've played dozens) has surpassed Fallout, and I doubt any game ever will, though I certainly have my fingers crossed.
Fallout is dripping with attitude, atmosphere, and dark humor. The gameplay and storytelling are second to none. Despite the dated graphics and some minor faults, this game sucks you in like no other, perfectly creating in your mind the experience of traveling a blasted wasteland, interacting with its wretched inhabitants, fighting mutated, twisted creatures, and of course, the classical feeling of embarking on the hero's journey.
For its time, Fallout's character advancement system was revolutionary, and it has aged well. Your character can be anything you want: A sniper, a silver-tongued politician, a fast, stealthy rogue, a stupid, ham-fisted bruiser, a gunslinger, a fist fighter, a genius doctor or scientist, a klutz with a rocket launcher, etc. And while the S.P.E.C.I.A.L. system isn't perfect (some character setups are more "optimal" than others for meeting the game's challenges), you'll hardly notice its imperfections on your first few play-throughs.
Highly recommended. If you haven't played Fallout, you're doing yourself a disfavor!