It's been nearly five years since our last adventure in the Wasteland and in November the wait will finally be over with Bethesda's release of Fallout 4. Since the release of the first Fallout game in 1997, the series has been renown for its emphasis on its single-player narrative and immersive gameplay. Whether you're jumping into the series for the first time or a long-time fan hoping to brush up on their lore, this brief rundown of the Fallout universe will help you hit the ground running for the next installment in the franchise.
*Although not discussed in depth, spoilers of some plot details will be covered. Read at your own risk*
*Although not discussed in depth, spoilers of some plot details will be covered. Read at your own risk*
History
1945: The Timeline Splits
Fallout tells a story of a post-apocalyptic American future set in what can be considered an alternate reality of the real world. The difference between the series' timeline and our own are seen in notable political and technological turns that occur only after the year 1945.
1945: The Timeline Splits
Fallout tells a story of a post-apocalyptic American future set in what can be considered an alternate reality of the real world. The difference between the series' timeline and our own are seen in notable political and technological turns that occur only after the year 1945.
1969: The United States Divides
Amidst the Cold War era, the United States becomes increasingly fearful of nations like China and the Soviet Union. In an effort to mitigate the spread of communism and maintain a stable democracy the country decides to create a new system that would group the 50 states into 13 Commonwealths.
Amidst the Cold War era, the United States becomes increasingly fearful of nations like China and the Soviet Union. In an effort to mitigate the spread of communism and maintain a stable democracy the country decides to create a new system that would group the 50 states into 13 Commonwealths.
Preoccupied with such concerns, American culture has reached a point of stagnation thus paving the way for the main motif seen in the series. Although set in the future, all the games are themed around the 1950s. From the art, music, and slang to tail-fin cars players encounter a familiar style with drastically different circumstances.
2052: The Resource Wars Begin
The European Commonwealth, equivalent to the real world's European Union, faces oil shortages leading to a full-scale invasion of their Middle-East suppliers. Simultaneously, America looks to Alaska and Mexico due to dwindling amounts of resources on the mainland.
The European Commonwealth, equivalent to the real world's European Union, faces oil shortages leading to a full-scale invasion of their Middle-East suppliers. Simultaneously, America looks to Alaska and Mexico due to dwindling amounts of resources on the mainland.
2054: Project Safehouse
Fearing of the inevitable “fallout,” the U.S. government begins Project Safehouse, a series of underground vaults constructed to house and protect people from the holocaust of the war. This is incredibly vital background information because the protagonist that players take the role of is often a vault dweller.
2066: The Sino-American War
China throws their hat in the ring when they invade Alaska for its oil. Fighting between China and America rages on for years until its climactic end in 2077.
Fearing of the inevitable “fallout,” the U.S. government begins Project Safehouse, a series of underground vaults constructed to house and protect people from the holocaust of the war. This is incredibly vital background information because the protagonist that players take the role of is often a vault dweller.
2066: The Sino-American War
China throws their hat in the ring when they invade Alaska for its oil. Fighting between China and America rages on for years until its climactic end in 2077.
2077: The Great War
On October 23, 2077 all nuclear equipped nations, mainly the United States, China, and the un-collapsed Soviet Union launched nuclear weapons at one another, known as The Great War. Although it only lasted two hours, the event plummeted the world into a mostly uninhabitable wasteland, a dark age for humankind, and marked the end of the Resource Wars. The aftermath of these events sets the stage for the plot of the games that take place in various locations of North America.
Factions
Despite the devastation of The Great War all life was not wiped out. In fact, survivors went on to adapt to the environment, establish communities, and create factions. Throughout the games, players encounter these groups, all with varying goals and motivations. Although many factions make an appearance in different entries there are some that provide more of an impact and reappear in the series.
On October 23, 2077 all nuclear equipped nations, mainly the United States, China, and the un-collapsed Soviet Union launched nuclear weapons at one another, known as The Great War. Although it only lasted two hours, the event plummeted the world into a mostly uninhabitable wasteland, a dark age for humankind, and marked the end of the Resource Wars. The aftermath of these events sets the stage for the plot of the games that take place in various locations of North America.
Factions
Despite the devastation of The Great War all life was not wiped out. In fact, survivors went on to adapt to the environment, establish communities, and create factions. Throughout the games, players encounter these groups, all with varying goals and motivations. Although many factions make an appearance in different entries there are some that provide more of an impact and reappear in the series.
The Brotherhood of Steel
The Brotherhood of Steel's origins are rooted in the American military prior to the war and are seen in different branches on the East and West coast. The defining characteristic of this group is its semi-religious commitment to pre-war knowledge and technology. Whether you love or hate the Brotherhood, the design of the power armor that members of the faction often sport have become an iconic element in the games.
The Brotherhood of Steel's origins are rooted in the American military prior to the war and are seen in different branches on the East and West coast. The defining characteristic of this group is its semi-religious commitment to pre-war knowledge and technology. Whether you love or hate the Brotherhood, the design of the power armor that members of the faction often sport have become an iconic element in the games.
Enclave
Like the Brotherhood, the Enclave have a heavy emphasis on technology but differentiate themselves with their own goals. Comprising of descendants of pre-war U.S. government officials, the Enclave claim the legal right to govern the land and have taken it upon themselves to attempt to restore the nation back to what it was before. Due to the aggressively patriotic nature of the Enclave, the group has usually been viewed as the villains.
Like the Brotherhood, the Enclave have a heavy emphasis on technology but differentiate themselves with their own goals. Comprising of descendants of pre-war U.S. government officials, the Enclave claim the legal right to govern the land and have taken it upon themselves to attempt to restore the nation back to what it was before. Due to the aggressively patriotic nature of the Enclave, the group has usually been viewed as the villains.
New California Republic
The NCR or New California Republic based only in the West coast have appeared in a few of the Fallout games but hold great power and influence in those regions. With its heavy focus on aspects such as democracy, a stable economy, and a balance of powers the appeal of this faction is often high, however themes of corruption and secrecy plague the group as well. It is currently unknown if the NCR will make an appearance in Fallout 4, although it unlikely since the game is set on the East coast.
Inhabitants of the Wasteland
Aside from organizational entities, here are some of the other inhabitants of the wasteland that you should familiarize with.
The NCR or New California Republic based only in the West coast have appeared in a few of the Fallout games but hold great power and influence in those regions. With its heavy focus on aspects such as democracy, a stable economy, and a balance of powers the appeal of this faction is often high, however themes of corruption and secrecy plague the group as well. It is currently unknown if the NCR will make an appearance in Fallout 4, although it unlikely since the game is set on the East coast.
Inhabitants of the Wasteland
Aside from organizational entities, here are some of the other inhabitants of the wasteland that you should familiarize with.
Supermutants
Supermutants are biologically mutated humans affected by a disease known as the F.E.V. Or Forced Evolutionary Virus. While, most portray brute-like qualities others are passive and some groups even have intelligence to be considered their own faction.
Ghouls
Ghouls are humans who were exposed to extreme amounts of radiation. Like supermutants, ghouls come in many behavioral variations, although it appears they have a larger presence in human societies.
Deathclaws
Unlike the other mutated animals seen in Fallout (radscorpions, boatflys, etc.), deathclaws are just a notch more terrifying and difficult to fight. Deathclaws were created from experiments that attempted to mix and match different species, mostly chameleons. Although not as common as other creatures these beasts roam the wild with an intense lust for blood.
Supermutants are biologically mutated humans affected by a disease known as the F.E.V. Or Forced Evolutionary Virus. While, most portray brute-like qualities others are passive and some groups even have intelligence to be considered their own faction.
Ghouls
Ghouls are humans who were exposed to extreme amounts of radiation. Like supermutants, ghouls come in many behavioral variations, although it appears they have a larger presence in human societies.
Deathclaws
Unlike the other mutated animals seen in Fallout (radscorpions, boatflys, etc.), deathclaws are just a notch more terrifying and difficult to fight. Deathclaws were created from experiments that attempted to mix and match different species, mostly chameleons. Although not as common as other creatures these beasts roam the wild with an intense lust for blood.
Hopeful for the Future
There are many mysteries that surround Fallout 4, details that we know so far include taking on the role of a vault dweller and being set in Boston Massachusetts. Familiar factions, enemies, and gadgets are sure to make an appearance in a new way with this next installment. However, since this is a new location going to be explored in the Fallout universe it is difficult to expect what we'll see. With such high expectations to meet it'll be hard for this new entry to live up to its predecessors but from what they've shown off so far it is shaping up to be a memorable title.
Sources: Images taken off Fallout websites, all rights to Bethesda Softworks
There are many mysteries that surround Fallout 4, details that we know so far include taking on the role of a vault dweller and being set in Boston Massachusetts. Familiar factions, enemies, and gadgets are sure to make an appearance in a new way with this next installment. However, since this is a new location going to be explored in the Fallout universe it is difficult to expect what we'll see. With such high expectations to meet it'll be hard for this new entry to live up to its predecessors but from what they've shown off so far it is shaping up to be a memorable title.
Sources: Images taken off Fallout websites, all rights to Bethesda Softworks