🔗 Share this article

The post-apocalyptic TV series is back to Prime Video, and it's safe to say that viewers were pleasantly surprised by the quality of its initial run. By depicting the atomic-age, nuclear-ravaged United States through the eyes of three different characters, it effectively portrayed various facets of the gamer's journey.

There was vault-dweller Lucy, trying to do the right thing and finding that the ruined world made that very difficult; Brotherhood initiate Max, the Brotherhood of Steel new recruit, who begins to question his organization's leadership and unleashes a lot of havoc in robotic power armour; and the Ghoul, a breakout character who has completely shed any ethical bearings out in the contaminated wastes.

Building Anticipation for a New Chapter

The debut season's conclusion unveiled key information about the culprits behind the nuclear war that sealed a population in subterranean shelters for centuries. It also posed several enigmas unanswered for the second season – and, now, expectations are significantly higher.

“We’ll take ‘pretty good’ – let’s get that on a poster,” quips one of the series creators.

“Heading into the first season, people were like, ‘Just don't mess it up’,” adds Todd Howard. “We’re over the moon with the response to the show, so this time people are arriving with more excitement and altered expectations.”

The Mojave Beckons for the Next Installment

The upcoming season is taking place in the neon-lit city, the backdrop of the beloved game Fallout: New Vegas, which is often praised for having the sharpest dialogue and characters in the series, despite the fact that it was somewhat buggy at launch.

“It embodies a sun-baked feel, a Mojave vibe, that’s so key to that game,” explains the co-creator. “That dusty, desolate iconic highway aesthetic of the game is so much fun to incorporate into the show.”

In the series narrative, a long time has elapsed since the story of the New Vegas game by the time the characters arrive there. Yet, the creators suggest that it will honor the fan's adventure.

The Importance of Physical Sets

The Fallout TV series is distinguished by its tactile feel – its creators ensured authentic items and sets were constructed, echoing the cobbled-together nature of the settlements in the games.

“Being a genre enthusiast, so many series I watch, I’m aware that they’re all filmed against a green screen,” observes another of the showrunners. “The whole point of an adaptation, particularly of a interactive medium, is to feel like it’s authentic.”

Indeed, virtually every element you see on-screen is real, even the infamously terrifying mutated beasts known as the apex predators. In the show, they are created using animatronics, and were reportedly rather intimidating up close.

A Labor of Love

The Fallout series succeeds because it is made by skilled directors who are also passionate gamers, in collaboration with the visionaries behind the source material. This common understanding for the world is clear in the final product.

The second season is debuting on a episode-by-episode basis rather than as a full-season drop, marking a change from the initial release. This approach will create a new viewing experience, a dynamic the team themselves are eager to witness.

“It has more depth, it’s bigger, it’s more humorous, it has a lot of surprises,” says Howard. “I’m looking forward to seeing what people think.”