One question greatly intriguing fans of the ‘Fallout’ game is whether the series will adhere to the canons of the iconic saga created by Interplay and Bethesda. While specific plot details of the series are still under wraps, we can already pinpoint some significant differences between the Prime Video televisual adaptation and the game franchise.
The three main differences: time, setting, and protagonist
The first difference lies in the timeline of the series. The original game of the franchise (Fallout, released in 1997) is set in the year 2161, less than one hundred years after the nuclear calamity of the Great War of 2077 that destroyed the world as we know it. However, the Prime Video series unfolds in the year 2296, over two centuries after the disaster. Other games in the Fallout franchise are based at different times after the apocalypse, but the TV show is not directly based on any of the specific game titles, allowing it to use elements from all of the games, while having the possibility to create something new.
Despite the limited information about the series, one certainty is its star, Lucy, portrayed by Ella Purnell. She must leave the safety of the shelter where her father has been the supervisor of Vault 33 to explore the wasteland of Los Angeles. In the original game, the hero is a Vault Dweller from Vault 13, tasked with obtaining a water chip to sustain their community. The subsequent games allow players to create their own characters and make their own choices, being RPGs that offer considerable freedom in exploring the Wasteland. Of course, the key concept remains: that of an individual who must leave the safety of the vaults to brave the devastated outside world.
Lastly, the Prime Video series is set in Los Angeles, while the ‘Fallout’ video games have been set in various locations across the United States, including Washington D.C., Las Vegas, and West Virginia. The first ‘Fallout’ game was set in Southern California.
The creators of the ‘Fallout’ series have said that it “exists in the same world as the games, but will be something unique.” This implies that while the series may follow the game’s canons and respect its storyline, it will be substantially different from the original saga. We will find out for sure on April 12, when we can finally enjoy its first episode, which, hopefully, will satisfy purists and delight all viewers alike.
