Fallout Fan Struggles: 10 Harsh Realities You'll Understand

Discover the Fallout fan struggles that every devoted player of the post-apocalyptic series can relate to, from dealing with buggy game launches to navigating the complexities of the ever-evolving lore.

The Fallout series has experienced a resurgence in popularity, thanks to the success of the TV show. However, being a fan has its challenges. The series has made a significant cultural impact on the gaming world over the years. But, being a Fallout fan can be both rewarding and exhausting.

The post-apocalyptic sci-fi world is filled with creativity and despair. This is why fans often experience mixed emotions. There are long waits between game releases and sometimes controversial launches.

While the Fallout community is a highlight, there are still several struggles that any Fallout fan can relate to. What are some of these struggles?

The Love-Hate Relationship with Bethesda

Bethesda, the creator of several legendary gaming experiences, is a recognizable game studio, especially in the RPG genre. However, much of their legacy also comes from buggy launches and outdated game design.

While it's easy to overlook the technical flaws behind each Fallout game's fantastic and immersive storytelling, the franchise hasn't been treated well in the past decade. The only new game in the past decade was the controversial MMO. Each announcement for the series has potential for greatness and lackluster re-releases.

Spending More Time Modding Than Playing

With a vast catalog of mods for each major game, a fully modded Fallout experience can be unrecognizable at a glance. From visual overhauls and UI improvements to model replacements and arsenals of weapons, the modding community has built upon Fallout's foundations.

Mods are the most exciting part of any new Fallout playthrough. But, it's common to spend hours finding and installing mods, only to play the game for a fraction of that time. Technical issues can take time to resolve, taking away from the enjoyment of the game itself. Are the mods worth the effort?

Inconsistent Fallout Lore

Maintaining consistent worldbuilding across nearly three decades and over six games from different developers is challenging. Despite Bethesda's efforts, there have been slip-ups and contradictions over the years that get harder to excuse each time.

From small details like Fallout 76's alien-filled apocalypse to arguments over canon and retcons over who started the Great Wars, it's hard to avoid disagreements over lore-related topics. Each entry often raises more questions than answers.

Expensive or Sold-Out Official Merchandise

The Fallout series features iconic imagery thanks to its retro-futuristic style. This provides endless potential for creative and high-quality merchandise. While Bethesda has excelled with helmet and Pip-Boy replicas, much of the other official Fallout merch has struggled with price complaints and stocking issues for years.

Waiting ages for restocking of Nuka Cola bottles and other official goodies, or astronomically higher prices for simple display items, lead many fans to opt for aftermarket alternatives or skip them entirely. Is the official merchandise worth the price and the wait?

Flawed Factions

While some factions, like Fallout: New Vegas' New California Republic or Fallout 4's Minutemen, may seem morally superior, every faction has questionable philosophies or methods. From bad strategies and corruption to militaristic tendencies and prejudice against ghouls, each faction walks a line between moral grey areas.

Some factions, like the Slavers, Nuka World Raiders, or Caesar's Legion, invite you along on their villainous crusades. But, even fan-favorite factions face criticism, even if you can overlook their rougher edges. Can you truly align yourself with any faction?

The Uncertain Future of Single-Player Fallout

Even though Fallout 76 didn't achieve the same sales success as its single-player predecessors, its addictive live service format and potential for microtransactions could indicate the future of the franchise. With Fallout 76's poor launch and the prevalence of live service games, we'll likely see more multiplayer Fallout titles in the future.

Hopefully, Bethesda won't abandon their single-player franchises like Fallout and The Elder Scrolls. But, live service elements could creep in over time through XP boosts, cosmetics, or small-scale DLC. Can the Fallout series retain its identity regardless of its future forms?

No Perfect Fallout Game

There has been endless debate on which Fallout game is the best. However, each entry in the series has its own of issues that are hard to ignore on additional playthroughs. From the inaccessibility of Fallout 1 and 2 to the clunky combat of Fallout 3 and New Vegas and a lack of RPG mechanics in Fallout 4, the series still has its struggles.

Even with the unique set of bugs and gameplay issues facing each Fallout game, the best aspects shine through, especially with Fallout: New Vegas coming close to the ideal Fallout experience. Mod projects like Fallout 4: New Vegas could bridge the gap between the weaknesses of each counterpart.

Fan Works Keeping Fallout Alive

From fan art, cosplay, memes, and modding expansions like Fallout London, each creation eases the wait for the next Fallout game. Fallout's modding community has fixed problems and quality of life issues across the series, elevating them to even higher heights than Bethesda could.

The Fallout show has caused the series' return to the spotlight. But, the dedicated fanbase has kept the franchise alive with creative fan games, creations, and other media to enjoy.

The Distant Release of the Next Fallout Game

While there were hopes that Bethesda had something up its sleeve after the success of the television show, the release of Fallout 5 is still many years away. Bethesda is focusing on The Elder Scrolls VI, meaning there's no reliable timeline for the world of Fallout.

There is potential for future Fallout projects, with iconic settings to visit or factions to explore, even if it's only through Fallout 76 or Fallout Shelter updates. Bethesda's Oblivion Remastered has exciting implications for the Fallout franchise as a whole, giving more life to the rumors of a Fallout 3 remaster.

No Follow-Up to Fallout: New Vegas

Despite being one of the highest-rated games in the franchise, with demand for a sequel or remaster, the chances of a Fallout: New Vegas remaster seem to be growing slimmer. Made under a tight deadline from an external studio, New Vegas has always been in a strange place within Bethesda's ecosystem.

The new lore surrounding the NCR in the Fallout show seemed like the perfect time to announce a new project surrounding Fallout: New Vegas. But, all we got so far is an announcement for a New Vegas Collector's Edition. Hopes for a New Vegas follow-up are still high, but it seems more likely that the rumored Fallout 3 remaster will come first.

Despite these Fallout fan struggles, the passion and dedication of the community keep the series alive and thriving, ensuring that the post-apocalyptic world continues to captivate players for years to come.