Fallout 1 is a 1997 role-playing video game that takes place in a post-nuclear world. It is widely regarded as one of the best and most influential role-playing games of all time, as well as a pioneer of the open-world genre. In this article, we will review the game’s setting, gameplay, development, reception, and legacy.
Also read: Bethesda secretly updates Fallout 76 to have a 60 FPS on PS5
Setting
Fallout 1 is set in a mid-22nd century post-apocalyptic and retro-futuristic world, decades after a global nuclear war between the United States and China. The war devastated the Earth’s surface, leaving behind a barren wasteland populated by mutants, raiders, and other dangers. The only survivors are those who took shelter in underground Vaults, which were designed to protect them from the nuclear fallout.
The player assumes the role of the Vault Dweller, a resident of Vault 13, one of the few functioning Vaults. The game begins when the Vault’s water chip, a device that controls the water supply system, breaks down. The Vault Dweller is tasked with finding a replacement water chip within 150 days, or else the Vault will run out of water and doom its inhabitants.
The game’s setting is inspired by various sources, such as 1950s literature and media emblematic of the Atomic Age, such as Ray Bradbury’s The Martian Chronicles and The Twilight Zone , as well as post-apocalyptic movies like Mad Max and A Boy and His Dog . The game also draws from Interplay’s previous role-playing game Wasteland , which was released in 1988 and is considered the spiritual predecessor of Fallout.
Gameplay
Fallout 1 is a role-playing video game that features a high degree of player choice and freedom. The player can create their own character using the SPECIAL system, which stands for Strength, Perception, Endurance, Charisma, Intelligence, Agility, and Luck. These attributes determine the character’s skills, abilities, and traits, which affect their performance in various situations.
The game is nonlinear and branching, with multiple ways to complete quests, interact with NPCs, and explore the wasteland. The player can choose to be friendly or hostile, to join or oppose factions, to solve problems with violence or diplomacy, and to influence the fate of various locations and people. The game also has multiple endings depending on the player’s actions and decisions.
The game features turn-based combat, where the player can target specific body parts of enemies, use various weapons and items, and employ different tactics. The combat is influenced by factors such as distance, cover, armor, health, and action points. The player can also gain experience points by completing quests and defeating enemies, which allow them to level up and improve their skills and perks.
Development
Fallout 1 was developed by a team of about 30 people led by Tim Cain, who started working on the game in 1994. The game was originally intended to use the GURPS system, a tabletop role-playing game created by Steve Jackson Games , but Interplay dropped the license after Steve Jackson Games objected to the game’s violence. Cain and designer Christopher Taylor then created their own system, SPECIAL.
The game’s development took about three and a half years and cost $3 million. Interplay initially gave little attention to the game, but later increased its marketing efforts after seeing positive feedback from testers and journalists. The game was released in North America in October 1997 for MS-DOS and Windows platforms. It was later ported to Mac OS in 1997 and Mac OS X in 2002.
Reception
Fallout 1 received critical acclaim for its original setting, open-ended gameplay, character system, plot, and humor. It won “Role-Playing Game of the Year” from GameSpot and Computer Games Magazine , was nominated by the Academy of Interactive Arts & Sciences at the Spotlight Awards , and is often listed among the greatest video games of all time.
Fallout 1 has been credited for renewing consumer interest in the role-playing video genre due to its setting, open-ended plot, and gameplay. It also influenced many other games in the genre, such as Baldur’s Gate , Planescape: Torment , Deus Ex , Mass Effect , Fallout: New Vegas , and The Outer Worlds .
Fallout 1 was a commercial success, selling 600,000 copies worldwide. It spawned a successful series of sequels and spin-offs , the rights to which were purchased in 2007 by Bethesda Softworks . The series has expanded to include various media forms , such as novels , comics , board games , card games , and television shows .
Legacy
Fallout 1 is still widely played and modded by fans today , and is available on various digital distribution platforms such as Steam and GOG.com . It is considered a classic game that will challenge your imagination and creativity. You can find more information about Fallout 1 on its official website or on its Wikipedia page . You can also watch some gameplay videos on YouTube or Twitch to get a taste of what Fallout 1 is like.