The bombs dropped, civilisation no longer as we know it, and now the freaks roam what’s left of the world. Welcome to Fallout — one of the biggest video game series on the planet, and soon to be a Prime Video exclusive series, hitting the airwaves on Thursday, April 11.
Set in a post-apocalyptic world devastated by nukes, Fallout sees a few lucky survivors emerge from underground Vaults — shelters designed to protect a fraction of humanity — and navigate a harsh wasteland filled with radiation, mutants, and the remnants of a shattered society.
With Prime Video about to blow open the rusted doors of Fallout, we’ve constructed a handy guide to get you up to speed on all things you need to know.
A Brief History of Fallout
Fallout takes place in an alternate history where the paranoia and atomic-age optimism of the 1950s never faded. Instead, it’s twisted and mutated alongside technological leaps. Picture flying cars, robot butlers and personal jetpacks, but with the cool Art Deco style of the ‘50s (and the coinciding fear of impending nuclear doom).
When the nukes finally fell, this grim vision of the future became a cursed reality. It’s a twisted mirror reflecting our fears and fascinations with the destructive potential of technology, thrusting players into a wasteland where survival is a constant struggle and morality is painted in shades of grey.
The Wasteland Ain’t for the Faint of Heart
Cities are rubble, the landscape’s a toxic mess, and literal radioactive ghouls are roaming about the place. Society as we know it is done, and what’s left of humanity is clawing for scraps, from wasteland scavengers and vault survivors to raiders who take what they want at any cost.
Amidst the chaos, the Vault-Tec corporation casts a long shadow. Their massive underground bunkers promised safety during the apocalypse. Prime Video’s Fallout takes place centuries after the bombs, meaning we’re getting the descendants of those lucky (or unlucky) enough to survive The Vaults.
So, Why Should You Tune In?
It isn’t just about the grim and gritty wasteland. The world of Fallout always had a warped sense of humour, and judging by the trailer, the Prime Video series will stay faithful to the classic (and iconic) Fallout vibe.
If you’re a fan of dark humour, complex characters navigating a strange broken world, and a setting that’s both gleefully weird and highly violent, Fallout is right up your alley. Plus, with a score inspired by Inon Zur’s iconic compositions for the Fallout game series, you know you’re in for an immersive experience.
Who’s Who in the Wasteland?
The series stars Ella Purnell as Lucy, a determined and somewhat naive vault dweller whose unwavering spirit stands out against the grim backdrop. Aaron Moten plays Maximus, a young Brotherhood of Steel soldier grappling with the weight of his order’s legacy. Walton Goggins brings a touch of weathered cynicism to the Ghoul, a bounty hunter haunted by two centuries of wasteland survival. The cast also includes Kyle MacLachlan, Sarita Choudhury and Michael Emerson, promising a host of intriguing characters.
Seriously, You Don’t Need to Have Played The Games
While the game inspires it, the show will be crafting its own unique, standalone story. It’s true to the world and the source material, but the story is all original. If you’re a die-hard Fallout fan, or even just a casual one, you’ll spot the Easter eggs and winks to the games, no doubt, but newcomers are more than welcome at the table too.
The Wasteland Awaits
If you’re the kind who enjoys some darkness with your laughs, Fallout‘s gonna scratch that itch. But it will be so much more than edgy fun — Fallout is about desperate people doing questionable things, monsters born from mankind’s worst impulses, and finding beauty in the broken pieces of a dead world.
So strap on your Pip-Boy because the wasteland awaits. All episodes of Fallout Season 1 launch exclusively on Prime Video on April 11 — start your 30-day free trial today — T&Cs apply.