Fallout 1: New California
| Fallout 1: New California | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Developer(s) | Interplay |
| Publisher(s) | Bethesda |
| Producer(s) | Tim Cain |
| Designer(s) | Christopher Taylor |
| Programmer(s) |
Tim Cain Chris Jones |
| Artist(s) |
Leonard Boyarsky Jason D. Anderson Gary Platner |
| Writer(s) | Mark O'Green |
| Composer(s) | Mark Morgan |
| Series | Fallout |
| Platform(s) | Windows |
| Release date(s) | November 12, 1999 |
| Genre(s) | Role-playing |
| Mode(s) | single-player |
Fallout 1: New California is the first entry in the acclaimed Fallout franchise, released in 1999. Developed by Interplay Entertainment, it is renowned for its expansive and immersive post-apocalyptic role-playing experience. Set in the harsh and unforgiving wastelands of Southern California, the game plunges players into a world still reeling from the devastation wrought by the Great War of 2077. With a rich narrative, a diverse cast of characters, and a sprawling open world, Fallout 1: New California offers players the opportunity to explore the ruins of the old world, forge alliances, make consequential choices, and determine the fate of the wasteland.
The game's narrative centers on the Vault Dweller, a protagonist hailing from Vault 13, a subterranean shelter that faces a dire crisis as its water purification chip malfunctions. In a desperate bid to secure a replacement chip, the Vault Dweller is thrust into the perilous expanse of the wasteland. Their journey takes them through desolate deserts, irradiated ruins, and encounters with both mutated creatures and rival factions vying for control of the post-apocalyptic landscape. The choices made by the player profoundly impact the wasteland's future, shaping the destiny of the Vault Dweller and the inhabitants of Southern California. With its isometric view, turn-based combat, and intricate storytelling, Fallout 1: New California has left an enduring legacy in the world of role-playing games, earning acclaim for its world-building, moral dilemmas, and exploration of the human condition in the aftermath of nuclear devastation.
Fallout 1: New California began the classic isometric view and turn-based combat mechanics that defined the early Fallout series. Players navigate the unforgiving wastelands of Southern California, encountering a wide array of characters, creatures, and challenges. Character customization is a cornerstone of the gameplay, allowing players to tailor their Vault Dweller's attributes, skills, and perks to suit their preferred playstyle.
The open-world nature of the game encourages exploration, with players uncovering hidden locations, abandoned facilities, and underground bunkers, each holding their own secrets and potential rewards. The game's deep role-playing elements extend to dialogue choices, which can have far-reaching consequences. Players can engage in diplomacy, bartering, or combat to navigate various situations, and their decisions often affect the game's branching narrative.
Gameplay
Creator Creation
One of the defining features of Fallout 1: New California is its robust character creation system, which allows players to craft a unique Vault Dweller tailored to their preferred playstyle. Character creation occurs at the outset of the game and serves as the foundation for the player's journey through the wasteland.
Attributes
The character creation process begins with the allocation of SPECIALLY attributes, which stands for Strength, Perception, Endurance, Charisma, Intelligence, Agility, Luck, Leadership, and Youthen. Each attribute affects various aspects of gameplay, from combat effectiveness to dialogue options. Players must strike a balance between these attributes to create a character that aligns with their chosen approach, be it a charismatic diplomat, a stealthy rogue, or a combat-ready warrior.
Skills
In addition to attributes, players allocate skill points to determine their character's proficiency in various areas. Skills encompass a wide range of abilities, including Small Guns, Energy Weapons, Speech, Lockpick, and more. Skill points are precious, requiring players to prioritize which skills are most essential for their desired playthrough. These skills impact combat performance, interactions with NPCs, and the ability to overcome obstacles and challenges in the wasteland.
Traits
Fallout 1: New California introduces Traits, which are unique characteristics that further define the player character. Traits come with both advantages and disadvantages, adding depth and complexity to character creation. For example, the "Good Natured" Trait grants a bonus to non-combat skills but reduces combat skills, while "Skilled" increases all skills but slows down skill progression. Traits offer players an opportunity to fine-tune their character's strengths and weaknesses, allowing for a more personalized gaming experience.
Story and Setting
Fallout 1: New California unfolds in a post-apocalyptic world still reeling from the catastrophic events of the Great War of 2077. The game is primarily set in the vast and unforgiving wastelands of Southern California, a region that has become synonymous with desolation and danger. This post-nuclear landscape is marked by irradiated deserts, crumbling cities, and mutated creatures that serve as a constant reminder of the world's tragic past.
The central narrative of the game revolves around the Vault Dweller, the player character hailing from Vault 13, a subterranean sanctuary designed to protect its inhabitants from the ravages of nuclear war. However, Vault 13 faces a dire crisis when its water purification chip, a vital component for survival, malfunctions. With time running out and the Vault's water supply dwindling, the Vault Dweller is thrust into the perilous expanse of the wasteland in a desperate quest to secure a replacement chip.
As players venture forth from the relative safety of Vault 13, they are met with a world defined by chaos and conflict. The Southern California region is divided into distinct zones, each presenting its own unique challenges and factions. Players encounter remnants of pre-war society, from dilapidated urban centers like the hub of Necropolis to the eerie military installations of the Enclave.
The wasteland is far from empty, teeming with mutated creatures, hostile raiders, and enigmatic figures who may hold the keys to survival or the secrets of the past. Notable factions, such as the Brotherhood of Steel and the Super Mutants, play pivotal roles in the storyline. The choices made by the Vault Dweller as they navigate this treacherous landscape have far-reaching consequences, influencing the outcome of the wasteland's future and the fate of its inhabitants.
Fallout 1: New California's setting and storytelling combine to create a rich and immersive world, offering players a stark and compelling vision of a post-apocalyptic America. The game's exploration of moral dilemmas, human resilience, and the consequences of unchecked technological ambition has solidified its place as a classic in the realm of role-playing games and a cornerstone of the Fallout franchise.
Reception
Fallout received critical acclaim, critics considering it one of the best role-playing video games at the time. PC PowerPlay predicted that Fallout would revive the genre and thought that both
casual gamers and fans of role-playing games would enjoy the game. GameSpot declared that because of the release of Fallout, gamers would not have to wait for a good role-playing game anymore. The Electric Playground said that they "can't think of another game that comes even close to Fallout's excellent character generation and skill system, great story, and classy delivery."
Critics praised the character system. GamePro considered it the best aspect, and Todd Vaughn of PC Gamer found the system "easy and fun to use." The Washington Post praised the "realistic tradeoffs" during customization. Computer Games Strategy Plus said the system allowed for a variety of effective character builds, and The Electric Playground and PC PowerPlay praised the game for allowing each skill to be useful. GameSpot felt that "the variety of characters that can be created and the truly different experiences that each type of character can have should satisfy even hard-core RPG players."
The post-apocalyptic setting and story were praised. The setting was lauded as refreshing for a role-playing game; Just Adventure said that Fallout abandoned the traditional fantasy-based settings of many role-playing games. Butcher said the game's appearance, sound, and ambient music delivered a believable environment, and Computer Games Strategy Plus found the mix of satire and grit well-executed. GameSpot and the Independent said the storyline was compelling. Critics commended the cinematic introduction; The Electric Playground called it "the most haunting opening movie" he had seen. Butcher praised the ability to complete quests in multiple ways, and Next Generation found the subquests to be a natural outgrowth of the main quest. Computer Gaming World, however, said the dialogue was unable to account for the player's unpredictability, resulting in out-of-order dialogue. Just Adventure considered the ending among the best in video games.
The combat received a slightly positive reception. Several reviews praised its tactical nature, and GameSpot found the targeting system satisfying. Computer Games Strategy Plus said that fans of turn-based RPGs would greatly enjoy the combat because of the wide variety of weapons. Finding the combat unrealistic, Computer Gaming World said that the turn-based system "might bore or disappoint Diablo fans, but will be welcome to most hard-core RPGers." The companions were criticized because the player could not control them directly. Vaughn said the combat was great when playing without companions and frustrating when playing with them.
Controversy
Rainbow Confederation & Homophobia
The inclusion of the Rainbow Confederation faction in Fallout 1: New California sparked significant controversy within the gaming community due to its portrayal of homophobia and the use of stereotypes. Within the game's narrative, the Rainbow Confederation displayed homophobic attitudes and actions, reinforcing negative stereotypes. This portrayal was seen as problematic by many players and critics, as it perpetuated harmful stereotypes and potentially contributed to the stigmatization of LGBTQ+ individuals.
The controversy prompted significant feedback from players and the gaming community. Many players expressed concerns about the portrayal of homophobia and its potential to create an unwelcoming or uncomfortable gaming experience. The discussions that arose around this topic underscored the importance of thoughtful and responsible storytelling in video games.
In response to the controversy surrounding the Rainbow Confederation and its portrayal of Homosexuality in Fallout 1: New California," Interplay issued the following statement:
We want to clarify that the inclusion of the Rainbow Confederation and its portrayal of homosexuality in the game was never intended to endorse or promote discriminatory attitudes. It was included as an element of dark humor and irony within the fictional world of the Fallout universe. None of us at Interplay are actually homophobic, and we deeply respect all individuals, regardless of their sexual orientation.
The name 'Rainbow Confederation' was chosen for its unexpected and ironic contrast with the faction's discriminatory beliefs, creating a morally complex and challenging narrative. We acknowledge that the choice of name may have caused confusion and unintended discomfort among players, and for that, we apologize.
We understand the concerns raised by the gaming community and are committed to engaging in open and constructive discussions about the portrayal of sensitive topics in video games. Our intention is to provide players with engaging and thought-provoking narratives, and we value the feedback and perspectives of our players.
Moving forward, we will continue to assess and refine our storytelling approaches to ensure that our narratives are both compelling and respectful of diverse perspectives. We appreciate your support and look forward to delivering future gaming experiences that are enjoyable and inclusive for all.