The "Fallout" TV series has returned to Prime Video, and its first season has been met with widespread acclaim, defying the often-disappointing track record of video game adaptations. The show masterfully captured the essence of the "Fallout" universe by weaving together the stories of three distinct characters: Lucy, a naive vault-dweller; Max, a questioning Brotherhood of Steel initiate; and the morally ambiguous Ghoul, brought to life by Walton Goggins.
Key Takeaways
- The series successfully adapted the "Fallout" games by focusing on distinct character perspectives.
- Season two will venture to New Vegas, promising a return to a beloved game location.
- Creators prioritized practical effects and real sets to achieve a tangible, immersive world.
- "Fallout" is lauded for its humor, depth, and surprising faithfulness to the source material.
A Surprising Success Story
Co-creators Jonathan Nolan and Geneva Robertson-Dworet, alongside Bethesda’s Todd Howard, have expressed their delight at the show’s reception. Howard, a long-time "Fallout" game director, had been waiting for the right team to bring the franchise to the screen, finding that in Nolan, a self-proclaimed lifelong player. "Going into the first season everyone’s like, ‘Just get it right’,” Howard stated. “We’re over the moon with the reception to the show, so this time people are coming in with more excitement and different expectations.”
Setting the Stage for Season Two: New Vegas
The upcoming second season is set in the iconic location of New Vegas, the setting for the critically acclaimed 2010 game "Fallout: New Vegas." Nolan described the aesthetic as "more of a desert vibe, a Mohave vibe, that’s so essential to that game. That dusty, blasted-out Route 66 vibe of the game is so much fun to bring into the show.” While time has passed since the game’s events, the season will honor players’ journeys through the original game, incorporating familiar factions and visual elements.
Crafting a Tangible Wasteland
A key factor in the show’s success is its commitment to practical effects and real sets. The creators aimed for a tactile feel, mirroring the "cobbled-together" nature of settlements in the games. "The whole point of an adaptation, especially of a video game, is to feel like it’s real," said Robertson-Dworet. Even the terrifying Deathclaws and radscorpions were brought to life with impressive puppets, adding a layer of visceral reality to the post-apocalyptic world.
A Passion Project
The "Fallout" series benefits from a team deeply passionate about the games. Nolan and Robertson-Dworet are avid gamers, with Nolan spending summers playing "Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom" with his family, and Robertson-Dworet revisiting "New Vegas" for script inspiration. While actor Walton Goggins admitted to not playing the games, the overall dedication from the creative team has resonated with fans, proving that "Fallout" is more than just "not terrible" – it’s a genuine hit.
Sources
- Inside Fallout, gaming’s most surprising TV hit | Games, The Guardian.
