The World Of Fallout Explained

The World Of Fallout Explained

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With the vast world of Fallout now on display in Amazon Prime Video’s TV adaptation, Screen Rant put together a complete guide for the show’s most essential elements, including characters, locations, and lore. Based on the video game franchise launched in 1997, Fallout instantly became one of the most anticipated video game adaptations since its official development announcement in 2020. Rather than adapt any specific game or popular spinoff, the Fallout show blends notable aspects of the post-apocalyptic world with a thrilling narrative set in the game franchise’s canon.

Screen Rant’s guide to the world of Fallout features the most significant elements needed to bring the beloved video game series to life. The guide will include breakdowns of Fallout‘s characters, including origin stories of new and existing characters. There will also be a deeper look into the franchise’s apocalypse, the resulting factions that popped up, and various timelines. Of course, considering the game’s unforgettable settings, the Fallout show’s various locations will also be highlighted, including New Vegas. Lastly, an examination of the games’ deeper lore will be on display, including changes and retcons to the games.

  • Fallout Show’s Characters

    The World Of Fallout Explained

    Custom image by Yailin Chacon

    Amazon’s Fallout features a large cast led by Ella Purnell, Aaron Moten, Kyle MacLachlan, Moisés Arias, Xelia Mendes-Jones, and Walton Goggins. These are, however, new characters for the show rather than existing game characters. Out of the cast, the show primarily focuses on Lucy (Purnell), Maximus (Moten), and The Ghoul (Goggins), who are on very different journeys that eventually interweave within the Wasteland by Fallout‘s ending.

    In addition to Fallout’s core cast, the show incorporates numerous villainous figures, in addition to appearances from characters linked to the games. Whether it’s Dogmeat or Mr. Handy, Amazon was sure to fit in recognizable non-human characters. That also leads to some fun cameos, especially regarding Matt Berry’s exciting role in the show.

    • Who Is The Ghoul? Walton Goggins’ Fallout Character & Video Game Connection Explained

    • Fallout Cast & Character Guide

    • Who Is Moldaver? Fallout’s Raider & Flame Mother Explained

    • Matt Berry’s Fallout Cameo Is Much Better Than His $10 Billion Franchise Role From 3 Years Ago

  • Fallout Show’s Apocalypse & History

    general shot of lucy and another survivor in Fallout

    image via Prime Video

    As heavily showcased in the games, the foundation of Fallout stemmed from a nuclear apocalypse that wiped out much of the world. The show remains focused on the United States, which was decimated over 200 years before the events of the main story. While there were survivors, a segment of the population still resides in the Wasteland, dealing with the ongoing effects of dangerous radiation. 

    In addition to the apocalyptic history, it’s also important to take a look at who exactly is responsible for the disastrous events, something that comes as a shocking reveal by the end of Fallout season 1. The timeline of events gets a lot of attention throughout the show, even causing some confusion in regards to what’s known from the games. Still, Fallout effectively dives deeper into the history of nuclear attacks and what transpired following the destruction.

    • Fallout’s Apocalypse Explained: What Happened To The US & Vault-Tec’s Role

    • Fallout Show Timeline: When It Takes Place Compared To The Games

    • Fallout’s Apocalypse Origin Confirms A Long-Running Video Game Fan Theory

  • Fallout Show’s Vault Details

    Fallout-show-Lucy-Vaults-background

    Custom image by Debanjana Chowdhury

    The Vaults themselves are one of the most crucial aspects of the Fallout universe. Having been created by Vault-Tec, the locations were built all over the US to give a portion of the public a chance to survive nuclear threats. When the threats came true, those who paid for their placement in Vaults were given refuge and a new community to live in. Vault Dwellers aren’t just the names given to those who live in Vaults, they are also the playable character at the focus of several Fallout games.

    In the Fallout TV show, the most prominent Vault Dweller at the center of the story is Lucy, a young woman who willingly leaves the confines of her Vault to chase after a mystery involving her family. Having grown up in Vault 33, Lucy has certainly learned a lot about the Wasteland, but she doesn’t have much first-hand experience with that environment. However, aside from her own Vault, a few other Vaults come into focus in season 1, including some surprises they contain.

    • How Many Vaults Exist In Fallout

  • Fallout Show’s Notable Factions

    Image via Prime Video

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    Lee Moldaver at the head of the New California Republic in Fallout season 1

    Image via Prime Video

    It wouldn’t be a Fallout show without a slew of factions on display. Thankfully, there’s no shortage of organizations and groups vying for control over the Wasteland, whether above ground or below. While some factions operate from the shadows based on their power, others do whatever they can to make themselves known, acquiring more enemies along the way. Speaking of enemies, many of the factions do not get along, causing more conflict alongside the lingering nuclear-related dangers.

    • Fallout’s Brotherhood Of Steel Explained: Origin, Beliefs & Power Armor

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    • Fallout’s New California Republic: History, Timeline & Shady Sands Connection Explained

  • Fallout Show’s Locations

    Lucy (Ella Purnell) smiles as she holds her Pip-Boy in front of two images of New Vegas, one with lights on and the Courier walking towards it and the other in its destroyed state shown at the end of the Fallout show

    Custom image by Sean Morrison

    Since Fallout is set in the post-apocalyptic United States, the franchise’s various locations are important to the fictional world. In the games, players traverse certain parts of the country for special missions or for scavenging. The Amazon adaptation embraced the video game world for its live-action counterpart, including several notable locations and brand-new settings.

    • General Fallout Location Guides

      Maximus (Aaron Moten) looking unsure in Fallout with New Vegas and the Super Duper Mart behind him

      Custom Image by Kate Bove

      To bring all of the Fallout show’s locations together, a map guide can be found below, highlighting locations like the numerous Vaults, Filly, and Red Rocket. There’s also a look into where the Fallout adaptation was filmed within the United States and beyond to capture the fitting environment for a post-apocalyptic world.

      • Where Was The Fallout Show Filmed? The Video Game Adaptation’s Filming Locations Explained

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    • Shady Sands

      Ella Purnell as Lucy walking toward a Shady Sands sign in Fallout season 1

      Shady Sands is one of the key locations in the Fallout show. Not only does it come into play with Lucy’s family history, but it also has a link to Maximus and his tragic past. Interestingly, Shady Sands exists in the video games, but a few canon details surrounding the community are changed based on show revelations. The town’s history and connection to another faction stands as one of the biggest reveals in season 1.

      • What Really Happened To Fallout’s Shady Sands Community?

    • New Vegas

      The landscape of New Vegas from Fallout season 1's ending

      The New Vegas tease at the end of Fallout season 1 is a massive talking point, especially for those familiar with the games. The location is the basis for the 2010 spinoff game and will become a major focus in a potential season 2 and beyond. While New Vegas is a territory for what’s left of Las Vegas, the characters connected to that location could give insight into who could appear in the show’s next chapter.

      • New Vegas Explained, And Where Fallout Season 2 & Beyond Will Go

  • Fallout Show’s Lore & Retcons

    The Ghoul and Vault Boy in Fallout

    Custom Image by Robert Pitman

    Aside from characters, history, factions, and locations, there is also a ton of Fallout lore worth explaining. In a role-playing game that relies on an expansive world to explore, there are plenty of elements that have made the game so popular. Whether it’s Vault-Tec details like the Vault Boy mascot, the mascot’s origins, or the device that Vault Dwellers wear on their wrist, the Fallout show made sure to include the prominent details. There are also the Wasteland threats through dangers like Ghouls, mutant creatures, and radiation, all of which could require consumable medications.

    Though the Fallout show made great efforts to use many of the game’s most memorable aspects, the creators took some liberties with the live-action adaptation. This results in some changes and tweaks to the game canon. Considering the show wasn’t based on a particular game, it’s difficult to say whether it was faithful or not, but based on Fallout’s impressive reviews, the consensus highlights Amazon’s success in effectively embracing the universe into a fun extension of the games.

    • Fallout’s Pip-Boy Explained: Why Vault Dwellers Wear Computers On Their Wrists

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