Summary
Bethesda has always ensured that the settings ofFalloutgames have had a strong influence on the title that uses them, and the mod authors ofFallout: Londonunderstand this well. Whether it be the Mojave Desert ofNew Vegasor the Boston area ofFallout 4,each title in the series has a distinct feeling, specific factions, and recognizable landmarks from each of its settings. Without this, there wouldn’t be a strong feeling of something brand new whenever anotherFalloutis released, andFallout: Londondoes this well enough to feel like a proper spin-off sequel.
Although Bethesda is likely to keep theFalloutfranchise within the US, even though it has expanded onto the silver screen,modders have decided to take the series abroad, usingFallout 4as a base.Fallout: Londonis exactly what people would expect when they hear the name. The series has made it across the pond to England, specifically to its capital, where players of the mod can enjoy everything British while surviving the irradiated wasteland they all know and love fromFallout.It is a total conversion ofFallout 4and is only available on PC.
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Settings Are Pivotal To Each Fallout Game
Factions & Storylines Depend On Them
The settings ofFalloutgames have always been an underrated part of the titles. Usually, players focus on the many, manyVaults and their experimentsor the longstanding factions everyone knows and loves, like the zealous Brotherhood of Steel, butvisiting famous landmarks of specific cities has always been a part ofFallout’s DNA. Without it, there wouldn’t be the added context of what was lost when the bombs were dropped and when the world was turned into an apocalyptic wasteland filled with irradiated cockroaches and feral Deathclaws.
Settings also inform what kind of factions a Vault Dweller (or Courier) can expect when venturing out into the world. With the Mojave being in California,New Vegasmade sure to give the NCR a big role in the game, with them previously appearing inFallout 2. Caesar’s Legion was made to be in conflict with the NCR,while Mr House (a play on the house always wins) was made as the ruler of New Vegas. Thisisn’t the only game that lets its setting influence the factions and major players, asFallout 4did, too.
Mr House makes an appearance in theFalloutseries. There, he’s known as Robert House and is in charge of RobCo Industries.
Although mentioned before, the Institute is a major player inFallout 4and was founded by surviving students of the Commonwealth Institute of Technology (C.I.T), which isFallout’s equivalent of M.I.T.The university’s famed knowledge of science and technology in real life influenced the Institute, and from that, the Railroad was founded in opposition.Fallout 4also introduced the Commonwealth Minutemen, who used Fort Independence as a base, which they later called The Castle.
Fallout: London Is So Delightfully British
Brings London To Life
Arguably, themod team behindFallout: Londontakes the use of its setting even further than prior titles in the series.Everything from locations, clothing, and dog breeds has been influenced by London, with some characters wearing the Union Jack on jackets and having the punk aesthetic that took Britain by storm in the 70s. German Shepherds have been replaced by the mighty Bulldog, while players can visit landmarks like St Paul’s Cathedral and the Millennium Wheel.
The Millennium Wheel was made to celebrate the millennium and is also known as the London Eye.
The mod authors have gone the extra mile with accents, too,ensuring that the many, many regional accents of London have been lovingly captured by a capable voice cast, with Lambeth being home to many with a cockney accent, for instance. The iconic Big Ben and the Elizabeth tower are present, as well as streets filled with ruined, red, double-decker buses. Even the London Underground’s Tube Network has been lovingly recreated, with the tubes actually racing through the stations.
Much like otherFalloutgames, the factions have been influenced by the setting, too.One of Britain’s most famous legends revolves around King Arthur and Camelot, so the developers took this legend and created the Knights of Camelot faction, complete with a round table and all. There are also the Vagabonds (based on British gangs like the Peaky Blinders), the Gentry (based on the British aristocracy), and Tommies, who are based on WW1 soldiers. Tommies got their name because many English soldiers were called Tommy.
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Fallout: London Proves Modding Is Bigger Than Ever
Total Conversion Mods Are Becoming The Norm
With the level of freedom that the Creation Kit for its games provides, Bethesda has ensured that its titles can last far longer than other single-player titles just because there is a constant stream of content flowing to them.Fallout: Londonis a well-researched, lovingly made passion project the size of a full game, but it is not the only one made for a Bethesda title.Enderal: Forgotten Stories, a total conversion forSkyrim,is another example and shows that the Creation Kit gives players the tools as long as they bring the passion.
The Creation Kit is a modding tool made for Bethesda games, likeSkyrimandFallout 4,which uses the Creation Engine.
With references to both British history,particularly WW1 with the Tommies and WW2 with hanging Spitfire fighters, and folklore with the Camelot faction, this shows that the mod isn’t just surface level when it comes to using its setting. Much like previousFallouttitles, landmarks haven’t just been recreated, the areas have also been cleverly used too.Fallout: Londonuses the Thames River to create the shanty town-like settlement of Thameshaven and St Paul’s Cathedral to make St Paul’s Sanctuary, similar toDiamond City inFallout 4.
A game’s setting will always be important in informing what developers can use to make their title feel more immersive.Fallout: Londonhas followed in the footsteps of prior titles in the seriesby putting its setting center stage and allowing it to not only give players memorable landmarks to visit but also inform what factions are present. The way the setting has been used has made the mod both a brilliant tribute to theFalloutfranchise and a creative love letter to London and all things British.
