🔗 Share this article

The Fallout TV series has come back to Prime Video, and it's safe to say that fans were pleasantly surprised by the quality of its debut season. By illustrating the retro-futuristic, nuclear-ravaged United States through the perspectives of three different characters, it effectively portrayed multiple facets of the gamer's adventure.

We followed vault-dweller Lucy, trying to do the right thing and discovering that the ruined world made that very difficult; Brotherhood initiate Max, the militant faction new recruit, who starts doubting his cult's authority and unleashes significant chaos in robotic power armour; and Walton Goggins's character, a fan-favorite figure who has long since lost any sense of morality out in the contaminated wastes.

Setting the Stage for Season Two

The show's first season ending disclosed crucial details about the culprits behind the nuclear war that condemned a population in underground vaults for an extended period. It also posed numerous mysteries unanswered for the next installment – and, this time, anticipations are considerably elevated.

“We'd gladly accept ‘not terrible’ – we should print that on merchandise,” says the show's co-creator.

“Heading into the initial season, everyone’s like, ‘Just get it right’,” comments the game director. “We’re over the moon with the feedback to the show, so this time people are arriving with more excitement and altered expectations.”

The Mojave Beckons for the Next Installment

The second season is located in the neon-lit city, the setting of the beloved game Fallout: New Vegas, which is often praised for having the best writing and cast in the franchise, even if it was somewhat buggy at launch.

“It has a desert vibe, a Southwestern essence, that’s so key to that game,” says Nolan. “That parched, desolate iconic highway aesthetic of the game is so much fun to incorporate into the show.”

In the series narrative, a significant amount of time has elapsed since the events of the New Vegas game by the time the characters arrive there. Nevertheless, the creators indicate that it does reference the player’s journey.

The Importance of Physical Sets

The Fallout TV series is praised for its tangible quality – its creators prioritized real props and environments were constructed, mirroring the makeshift nature of the settlements in the games.

“As a sci-fi fan, so many series I watch, I’m conscious that they’re all filmed against a digital backdrop,” comments co-creator Geneva Robertson-Dworet. “The whole point of an translation, especially of a video game, is to appear as if it’s real.”

Indeed, virtually every element you see on-screen is physical, even the legendarily scary irradiated monsters known as Deathclaws. In the show, they are brought to life with practical effects, and were by all accounts rather intimidating up close.

A Labor of Love

The Fallout series succeeds because it is crafted by skilled directors who are also longtime fans, alongside the game developers behind the franchise. This common understanding for the lore is evident in the final product.

The second season is launching on a episode-by-episode basis rather than as a full-season drop, representing a shift from the previous season. This format will create a altered weekly discussion, something the creators themselves are eager to engage with.

“It's richer, it’s bigger, it’s wittier, it has a lot of surprises,” teases the game director. “I am excited to seeing what people think.”