How Many Seasons of Fallout are There?
For those who are new to the gaming world, Fallout is an iconic and beloved video game series developed by Bethesda Softworks. The franchise has gained immense popularity and has a massive fan base globally. One common question that pops up among new fans is "how many seasons of Fallout are there?"
Direct Answer: There is only one season of Fallout, which is made up of several games.
Don’t get confused; this has nothing to do with the number of TV show seasons you’d watch while binge-watching your favorite show.
Types of Fallout Games
To better understand how many "seasons" are in Fallout, let’s categorize the games into different eras or types:
Primary Series (Mainline Games)
This is the mainline Fallout franchise, which consists of:
• Fallout (1997)
• Fallout 2 (1998)
• Fallout 3 (2008)
• Fallout: New Vegas (2010)
• Fallout 4 (2015)
• Fallout 76 (2018) this game is a departure from the main story
Spin-off Series
There are two notable spin-offs:
• Fallout: Tactics (2001) – a tactical turn-based role-playing game
• Fallout Brotherhood of Steel (2004) – an action RPG
Miscellaneous Games
There are a few side games and remasters in the Fallout franchise:
• Fallout Radioactive Crown (2008) a short, puzzle-packed game
• Fallout Online a cancelled MMORPG
What does this mean? The six mainline games in Fallout can be considered as one season.
The Story Behind The Games
The storylines of the mainline games are narratively connected throughout the series. Each game is built upon the events of the previous ones. Therefore, it makes sense to treat the primary series as a single season.
Think about it: each game presents a new storyline, but there is often a thread of continuity through the characters, settings, and historical references. This interconnectedness helps gamers understand the overall narrative of the Fallouts.
Here’s an easy way to summarize the mainline game storylines:
| Game # | Storyline Connection |
|---|---|
| 1 | The original story – Vault 13 and the death sentence |
| 2 | A brief time skip, set amidst the Great War’s aftermath |
| 3 | Set 200 years after FO2, amidst the rebuilding process |
| 4 | Takes place post-apocalyptic, with Vault residents trying to rebuild |
| 6 (76) | A special online multiplayer experience, not a story-driven game |
Non-Primary Games Don’t Disrupt The Count
The spin-off games, although awesome in their own right, don’t have direct story implications on the primary game series. Fallout: Tactics is a standalone tactical game, while Brotherhood of Steel is a unique action RPG that uses the Fallout universe as a setting, but doesn’t continue the storyline.
These spin-off games give fans additional content without spoiling the main storyline, effectively making the mainline games stay as a single season.
Is There Anything Else Worth Remembering?
Before we move onto the FAQs, here’s an overview of the franchise’s important development milestones:
- The success of the original Fallout in 1997 led to the development of more games, including the series-starter for the 2007 reboot.
- The release of fallout 3 (2008) introduced a new 3D era for the franchise, with Fallout: New Vegas (2010) also receiving praise.
- In 2015, Fallout 4 premiered, showcasing a new region set in Boston.
- 2020 marked the release of Online, an online multiplayer-focused entry in the series.
Faqs
Here are answers to some frequently asked questions about Fallout’s "seasons":
Q1. Are the Fallout games directly story-connected?
A1. Only the mainline games (Fallout 1-4, Fallout: New Vegas) share the same story and universe, making these games connected.
Q2. What about the spin-off games (Fallout: Tactics & Brotherhood of Steel)? Are they relevant to the main story?
A2. No, they don’t have a significant impact on the main storyline. These are distinct games with their own unique approaches.
Q3. Can I play each game separately without following an overarching storyline?
A3. Yes, you can play each mainline game as a standalone experience without connecting them.
Q4. Did the non-primary games alter or add to the main story?
A4. No, the non-mainline games don’t alter the storyline significantly. They might reference main characters or events but don’t dramatically influence the overall narrative.
Q5. I heard about a new project called "Fallout (2024)" – Is that in the same "season"?
A5. Since there hasn’t been an official announcement about the plot of the upcoming game, we can’t speculate which "season" it would be.
Q6. Are all Fallouts RPGs (Role-playing games)?
A6. Yes, except Fallout 76, the latest release, is classified as a battle royale MMO (Massively Multiplayer Online), rather than an RPG.
Q7. Can I still play old Fallon games?
A7. Some legacy games can be played with minimal compatibility issues, but they don’t run on modern-day systems. For the most comprehensive experience, try the Bethesda-approved Fallout 5 or New Vegas (2021). Check the Fallout Archives for official re-releases.
Q8. Where would I start my Fallout adventure if I’ve never played a mainline game?
A8. New players should start with the critically-acclaimed Fallout: New Vegas or the innovative Fallout 3, both considered excellent introduction games to the franchise.
In summary:
- The Fallout season is composed of the mainline games (Fallout 1,2,3,4, and 76): a continuous narrative set spanning over two centuries, starting after the Great War.
- The non- primary games, including spin-offs (like Fallout: Tactics and Brotherhood of Steel) and miscellaneous games (like Online or Radioactive Crown), exist to provide additional content without directly changing the main storyline.
- If you’re intrigued by the franchise, start your gaming journey with one of the most important games, such as New Vegas or Fallout 3.
Embracing the rich world and interconnected characters of Fallout, we can safely count one season with its six mainline games, concluding our journey through the franchise. Stay tuned for more exciting content exploring the world of Fallout!