Times to use force come up more or less often depending on the type of character played. The combat system takes into account all of a character's attributes to resolve combat actions. You acquire myriad weapons and other useful objects by bartering or buying them outright in shops or from other people. Bottle caps are the accepted form of currency in the postapocalyptic era. It lacks anything Mac-like, but it still works because the interface was well designed from the beginning.
Fallout is more than that.
MacPlay combines a masterful story, a robust role-playing system, and an enormous and superbly rendered milieu to explore. Combat in Fallout, as in real life, is lethal. Be prepared with stimpacks, armor, and ammunition before getting into battles. Good, rather than evil, deeds produce more favorable reactions and help from people. Steal from people you meet right after you save the game.