If I had a nickel for every time a post-apocalyptic video game franchise received a critically acclaimed television adaptation that brought new fans to the series… I’d have two nickels, which isn’t much but it’s nice it happened twice.
Fallout was released to overall praise by both fans and critics alike. It is a faithful adaptation of the source material that captures the spirit of the Fallout games. This, combined with well-written stories and characters, brings Bethesda’s post-atomic annihilation world to the home screen. However, there are still some issues with the show that may rub longtime fans of the franchise the wrong way.
The Good
Going into the show I had a small amount of knowledge about the world of Fallout. It was mostly just basic stuff like the setting and major factions. One major issue I have with modern media is that it just assumes the viewer already has a deep knowledge of the series. I feel like Fallout does a great job of avoiding this concern. It gives just enough exposition to bring the viewer up to speed on the world without feeling overwhelming. Most of this exposition is told through imagery which is also nice.
Amazon and Bethesda have also done a fantastic job of bringing aspects of the world and character factions to live action. Probably the best example of this is the Brotherhood of Steel power armor which were created practically with minor CGI enhancements. To me, practical effects have always been better than CGI and the power armors seen in the show further exemplify this. The smaller costumes, like Lucy’s Vault suit or The Ghoul’s ragged attire, also look amazing and seem as if they were ripped straight from the game. The various locations seen in the series are also very Fallout. Being brought to life through both Practical sets and CG imagery.
All of the characters are very memorable and unique as well. Each of the main characters’ arcs are memorable and unique. Each character has their own morals and beliefs that are challenged during their time in the wasteland. My favorite from the different arcs is probably The Ghoul’s which at first displays him as a hardened bounty hunter who only cares for himself. However, by the end of the season chips begin to show in his hardened personality, revealing a broken man who just wants to find his family. His arc is definitely not complete, and I am very excited to see where season two takes The Ghoul.
The Not so Good
As good as the show is, I have a few critiques. However, these do not detract from the show’s overall quality and really are personal opinions. The first of these complaints is the gore. I am not saying that the gore is bad, but rather I feel it’s a little over the top for Fallout. Usually gore in the Fallout games are more tame and even a bit comedic, however the gore in the series felt more like gore seen in other Amazon shows like The Boys or Peacemaker. Like I said it is not necessarily bad, it just does not feel like Fallout.
Another issue I originally had was the multiple storylines ongoing at the same time. To some it may feel a little daunting to try and keep up with all of them, but in the end they do all intertwine. The final, complaint I have is in regards to the show’s impact on the overall Fallout lore. Major spoilers are to follow.
Towards the end of the show, it is revealed that Shady Sands, a long established location in Fallout and the headquarters for the New California Republic, has fallen and was nuked by Vault Tec. Also, it is not outright said but it is heavily implied that Vault Tec dropped the nukes on America to force people into the vaults. These two major plot points created an uproar in the Fallout community since the show essentially killed off a fan favorite faction, the NCR, and suggested the nuking of America by Vault Tec. Now the NCR might not be completely destroyed and they could return in future Fallout titles.
At the end of the day, Fallout is an exceptional series and a wonderful video game to television adaptation. With season two being greenlit and being set in New Vegas, the series still has a lot to offer and I am excited to see where it goes in the future.
