Unearthing the Horrors: What Lies Within Vault 75?
Vault 75, nestled deep beneath Malden Middle School in the Commonwealth of Fallout 4, isn’t your typical fallout shelter. Instead of providing refuge and a hopeful future, it served as a cruel laboratory for Vault-Tec’s eugenics experiments, focused on refining the human genome through selective breeding, genetic modification, and hormonal treatments. The Vault’s primary contents are therefore, the remnants of this twisted experiment: gunner soldiers, combat simulation rooms, science labs, and the grim evidence of the vault’s systematic elimination of “unworthy” individuals. Loot includes valuable resources, weapons, armor, and the coveted Science Bobblehead. It’s a place of scientific endeavor gone horribly wrong, transformed into a militaristic training facility, and ultimately, a scavenging ground.
The Dark History of Malden Middle School
Malden Middle School was selected by Vault-Tec as the ideal location for Vault 75, luring families with the promise of subsidized admittance into the vault during a nuclear attack. This promise was a cynical ploy. Upon the bombs dropping, children were violently separated from their parents, who were then immediately executed. The children became subjects of the vault’s horrifying genetic experiment.
Inside the Experiment: Eugenics and Control
The children deemed “excellent” or “superior” in terms of physical, mental, and social traits were selected for breeding and further refinement. Those who failed to meet the stringent standards were eliminated, their genetic material deemed unworthy of perpetuation. This process was a ruthless exercise in selective breeding, turning the vault into a twisted reflection of Vault-Tec’s warped vision for humanity’s future.
The vault itself was designed to last for many generations, with its operations intended to be dictated solely by Vault-Tec. This long-term perspective underscores the corporation’s chilling commitment to their eugenics program.
The Gunner Occupation
Eventually, the vault’s original purpose faded, and the occupants either died out or escaped. The vault’s strategic location and secure structure made it an appealing base for the Gunners, a powerful mercenary faction in the Commonwealth. They transformed the vault into a training facility and stronghold, repurposing the combat simulation rooms for their own purposes and scavenging the vault for valuable resources.
Notable Finds
- Science Bobblehead: Located in the lab area, this collectible permanently increases your character’s Intelligence stat.
- Admin Access Card: Found on one of the Gunners, this card unlocks restricted areas within the vault.
- Combat Simulation: Engage in challenging combat scenarios within the simulation pods, testing your skills against virtual enemies.
- Vault 75 Jumpsuit: This jumpsuit is unobatainable through normal gameplay and requires console commands to acquire.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) about Vault 75
1. What was the experiment in Vault 75?
The experiment in Vault 75 was the “refinement of human genetics.” Vault-Tec aimed to improve the human genome through methods such as selective breeding, genetic modification, and hormonal treatments.
2. How did Vault 75 fail?
While Vault 75 may have achieved some of its initial goals, it eventually fell into disuse, either due to internal strife, the escape of its inhabitants, or a combination of factors. The Gunners then occupied the abandoned vault, marking the final collapse of Vault-Tec’s intended operation.
3. Is there a Bobblehead in Vault 75?
Yes, the Science Bobblehead is located in the lab area of Vault 75. It permanently increases your character’s Intelligence stat.
4. What is the real purpose of Vault 76?
Vault 76 was a control vault, created without the bizarre Vault-Tec experiments seen in other vaults. It was designed to open 20 years after the bombs fell, with the sole purpose of its survivors returning to the outside world to rebuild civilization.
5. Did anyone survive from Vault 75?
While the initial adult population was eliminated, children deemed worthy did survive within the confines of the experiment. The vault’s ultimate fate is unclear, but it’s likely that those who didn’t meet Vault-Tec’s standards were eliminated.
6. What happened to the parents in Vault 75?
Upon entering Vault 75, parents were immediately incinerated. Only the children were allowed to remain and become subjects of Vault-Tec’s experiment.
7. Where do I go in Vault 75 to progress?
After entering Vault 75, navigate through the initial areas, defeating Gunners along the way. Acquire the Admin Access Card from one of the Gunners to unlock restricted areas, including the labs and combat simulation rooms.
8. Did the Gunners come from Vault 75?
No, the Gunners did not originate from Vault 75. They were an existing mercenary group that moved into the abandoned vault after its original purpose was abandoned.
9. What loot is in Vault 75?
Vault 75 contains a variety of loot, including weapons, armor, ammunition, and the Science Bobblehead. The Gunners also possess valuable resources, such as stimpaks and chems.
10. Why was Malden Middle School chosen for Vault 75?
Malden Middle School provided a convenient cover for constructing the vault. The school provided an initial source of subjects for Vault-Tec’s experiment, and it was close to a population center making it easier to convince people to enter.
11. Is Vault 77 canon?
The existence of the Vault 77 jumpsuit in Fallout 3, as well as the slaver’s recording next to it, confirm that the comic is at least partially canon. It suggests that Vault 77, which housed a single individual, was indeed a real location.
12. What is the saddest vault in Fallout?
Many vaults have tragic stories, but Vault 11 is arguably the saddest. Its inhabitants were forced to select one of their own as a human sacrifice each year, leading to immense psychological trauma and societal collapse.
13. Is Vault 88 a DLC?
Yes, Vault-Tec Workshop is a DLC for Fallout 4 that allows you to build and manage your own vault through Vault 88. You can conduct experiments on the residents of Vault 88.
14. Is Vault 101 in Fallout 76?
Vault 101 appears only in Fallout 3 and is mentioned in Fallout 4 and Fallout 76. It is not explorable in Fallout 76.
15. Did Vault 76 have an experiment?
Vault 76 was designed as a control vault, with the intention of allowing the occupants to eventually rebuild America.
Vault 75: A Microcosm of Vault-Tec’s Cruelty
Vault 75 stands as a stark reminder of Vault-Tec’s inhumanity and the twisted experiments they conducted on unsuspecting populations. Its story is a grim testament to the dangers of unchecked scientific ambition and the horrors that can arise when morality is sacrificed for the sake of progress. The story of Vault 75 mirrors many of the themes of ethical decision-making that have been looked at by the Games Learning Society and other educational initiatives. You can explore these topics further at GamesLearningSociety.org. Exploring Vault 75 is more than just a gameplay experience; it’s an opportunity to confront the dark side of human nature and reflect on the ethical implications of scientific research.