TheFalloutfranchise has firmly established itself within the gaming industry over the course of many titles, which have released over the course of almost 25 years. The post-apocalyptic RPG games have historically captivated fans via the compelling, rich, and unforgiving social and physical landscapes that the games take place in.
As well as the physical settings of theFalloutgames, the time in which the games take place is a fascinating aspect of the franchise’s identity. Set in the not-so-distant future, the numerous titles that make up theFalloutfranchise have built a complex chronology that help aid the overarching stories that the game’s tell.
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Fallout 76
The earliest-set game within the expansiveFalloutuniverse comes in the form of theshakily-launchedFallout 76. While being a comparatively unique game within the franchise due to its multiplayer focus,Fallout 76was additionally bold in the time period in which it was set.
Fallout 76was set in the year 2102 at its launch, making it the earliest setting for aFallouttitle by about 60 years. Todd Howard himself has likened the title as a kind of spiritual prequel to the wholeFalloutfranchise, taking place only 25 years after the Great War, which transformed a large part of the Earth into a nuclear wasteland.
Fallout
The next game in the chronological timeline of the franchise isthe originalFallout,released in 1997. A top-down RPG that launched the storied franchise, the originalFalloutwas set in the year 2161, 59 years afterFallout 76.
Being set 84 years after the Great War,Falloutconveys a more established and populous wasteland, while being geographically set in Southern California. The originalFallout, like many of the other titles, showcases life within Vaults, which are microcosm societies that are formed and contained within expansive nuclear fallout shelters. Within the events ofFallout,the Vault Dweller protagonist is 20 years old, making them within the third generation of people who were born and lived entirely within the Vaults.
Fallout 2
The next mainline title within the chronology wasFallout 2. This title has quite a jump in time between the previous entry, withFallout 2being set in the year 2241, a full 80 years after its predecessor. This significant advancement of time was fantastic in fostering an insight as to how post-apocalyptic society was developing, both inside and outside therelative safety of the Vaults.
Fallout 2establishes the formation of the New California Republic, a post-war federation made up of five contiguous states. This showcases the attempts to reestablish pre-war societal democracy and society, as well as civilizations outside the reclusion and isolation of the Vaults, which human life had been essentially confined to in the decades prior.
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Fallout 3
Logically, the next chronological setting withinFalloutis from another direct sequel, with the iconicFallout 3being set in the year 2277, exactly 200 years after the aforementioned Great War. Only being taking place 34 years after its predecessor, there is not much offered in how time has altered society withinFallout 3, but the geographical setting is very useful.
Fallout 3was the first title within the franchise to be set within the USA’s East Coast, more specifically an areaknown as the Capital Wasteland, consisting of Washington D.C. as well as parts of Virginia, Maryland and Pennsylvania. Also being the firstFallouttitle to be focused on 3D first-person gameplay,Fallout 3offered a much more tangible insight into post-war society in a way never seen before. Being set within what was once the cornerstone location of American democracy, the remaining lawlessness and lethality of the outside world provided a testament to the lasting fallout of the Great War and its consequences.
Fallout: New Vegas
The next title in theFallouttimeline comes in the form of thefan-favorite gameFallout: New Vegas. While not a direct sequel to any other title within the franchise,New Vegasis considered as the fourth major installment within the series, and takes place in the year 2281.
This temporal setting puts the events ofFallout: New Vegasas occurring only four years after those ofFallout 3.However, this shift back away from the East Coast provides valuable information as to how the geopolitical landscape of the rest of America has changed since the events ofFallout 2,which occurred 40 years prior.New Vegasshowcases a power struggle between the greatly expanding New California Republic, Vegas' Mr. House, andCaesar’s Legion, with all three organizations vying for control over the area.
Fallout 4
The latest addition to theFalloutfranchise within the established chronology isFallout 4, which takes place in the year 2287, six years afterFallout: New Vegas.Fallout 4goes back to the East Coast, this time within an areaknown as the Commonwealth, comprising primarily of what was once Massachusetts.
WithFallout 4taking place 210 years after the Great War, human existence and societal values are essentially entirely built upon post-apocalyptic life. One of the most interesting factors ofFalloutlore within this title comes with theexistence of The Institute, a scientifically advanced organization located within the Commonwealth. The largest impact that The Institute arguably has had onFalloutlore is their production of synthetic humanoid robots, or “Synths.” Certain models of Synths can be practically indistinguishable from humans, and add a fascinating facet to the societies withinFalloutdue to the controversy they carry. Synths are a direct result of post-war innovation within the timeline of theFalloutfranchise, and a shining example of how progressing chronologically can foster new elements of gameplay and lore.
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