Fallout: London Understands Why The Series’ Settings Are So Important (2024)

Bethesda has always ensured that the settings of Fallout games have had a strong influence on the title that uses them, and the mod authors of Fallout: London understand this well. Whether it be the Mojave Desert of New Vegas or the Boston area of Fallout 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 another Fallout is released, and Fallout: London does this well enough to feel like a proper spin-off sequel.

Although Bethesda is likely to keep the Fallout franchise within the US, even though it has expanded onto the silver screen, modders have decided to take the series abroad, using Fallout 4 as a base. Fallout: London is 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 from Fallout. It is a total conversion of Fallout 4 and is only available on PC.

Settings Are Pivotal To Each Fallout Game

Factions & Storylines Depend On Them

The settings of Fallout games have always been an underrated part of the titles. Usually, players focus on the many, many Vaults and their experiments or the longstanding factions everyone knows and loves, like the zealous Brotherhood of Steel, but visiting famous landmarks of specific cities has always been a part of Fallout'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 co*ckroaches 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 Vegas made sure to give the NCR a big role in the game, with them previously appearing in Fallout 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. This isn't the only game that lets its setting influence the factions and major players, as Fallout 4 did, too.

Although mentioned before, the Institute is a major player in Fallout 4 and was founded by surviving students of the Commonwealth Institute of Technology (C.I.T), which is Fallout'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 4 also 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, the mod team behind Fallout: London takes 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 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 co*ckney 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 other Fallout games, 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.

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: London is 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 for Skyrim, is another example and shows that the Creation Kit gives players the tools as long as they bring the passion.

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 previous Fallout titles, landmarks haven't just been recreated, the areas have also been cleverly used too. Fallout: London uses the Thames River to create the shanty town-like settlement of Thameshaven and St Paul's Cathedral to make St Paul's Sanctuary, similar to Diamond City in Fallout 4.

A game's setting will always be important in informing what developers can use to make their title feel more immersive. Fallout: London has followed in the footsteps of prior titles in the series by 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 the Fallout franchise and a creative love letter to London and all things British.

Source: Fallout4London.com

Fallout 4

RPG

Action

Franchise

Fallout

Platform(s)

PC , PS4 , PS5 , Xbox One , Xbox Series X , Xbox Series S

Released

November 10, 2015

Developer(s)

Bethesda

Publisher(s)

Bethesda

Engine

Creation

ESRB

M FOR MATURE: BLOOD AND GORE, INTENSE VIOLENCE, STRONG LANGUAGE, USE OF DRUGS