The Most Messed Up Vault in Fallout: A Deep Dive into Vault-Tec’s Depravity
Without a doubt, the most messed up Vault in the Fallout universe is Vault 11. While numerous Vaults subjected their inhabitants to horrific and unethical experiments, Vault 11 stands out due to the sheer psychological torture inflicted upon its residents. They were forced into a cruel annual ritual of sacrificing one of their own, under the false pretense that failure to comply would result in the extermination of the entire population. The devastating consequences of this experiment, leading to mass suicide and ultimate societal collapse, paint a picture of unparalleled depravity, cementing Vault 11’s position as the most messed up vault in the entire Fallout series. Its story resonates with a unique brand of chilling horror that sets it apart from all others.
A Look Inside the Twisted Minds of Vault-Tec
Vault-Tec, the corporation behind the Vaults, was commissioned by the pre-War United States government. But their intentions weren’t purely altruistic. Ostensibly built to preserve humanity from nuclear annihilation, the Vaults were, in reality, elaborate social experiments designed to study various aspects of human behavior under extreme conditions. This meant subjecting unwitting residents to psychological, physiological, and sociological stresses, often with devastating results. Understanding the breadth and depth of their depravity is crucial to appreciating just how many messed up vaults were created.
The Horrors of Social Experimentation
The experiments conducted within the Vaults were often inhumane and ethically bankrupt. Residents were deliberately manipulated, lied to, and placed in situations designed to trigger specific reactions. This ranged from resource scarcity and social isolation to forced eugenics and totalitarian control. The data collected from these experiments was intended to be used by the government to understand how to control and rebuild society after the bombs fell, but at a horrific cost. Fallout’s twisted vault experiments, for example, have been used in some studies of player morality as seen at the GamesLearningSociety.org website.
Vault 11: A Detailed Examination of Pure Evil
What sets Vault 11 apart is the specific nature of its experiment. The inhabitants were told that they had to sacrifice one of their own each year. By sacrificing one person each year, they were told the rest of the population could live. If they refused, the entire Vault would be exterminated.
The Reality Behind the Sacrifice
Unbeknownst to the residents, this was a lie. If they refused to participate in the annual sacrifice, the Vault’s computer system would recognize their act of defiance and unlock the door to the outside, revealing that the entire experiment was a test of their altruism and moral courage. However, the years of psychological manipulation and fear had taken their toll.
The Downfall
By the time the survivors of Vault 11 realized the truth, only a handful of people remained. They had succumbed to infighting and despair, driven to the brink by the constant pressure of choosing who would die next. This outcome, a complete societal breakdown born of fear and manipulation, is what makes Vault 11 so profoundly disturbing.
Other Contenders for the Title of “Most Messed Up”
While Vault 11 arguably takes the crown, other Vaults in the Fallout universe showcase Vault-Tec’s disturbing tendencies. Each one serves as a grim reminder of the corporation’s disregard for human life.
Vault 75: Eugenics and Child Exploitation
Vault 75, located beneath Malden Middle School in Fallout 4, is a chilling example of eugenics and child exploitation. Children were lured into the Vault with the promise of safety, only to have their parents executed. The children were then subjected to rigorous training and testing, with the “superior” individuals being allowed to breed while the “inferior” were terminated.
Vault 22: Fungal Nightmare
Vault 22 in Fallout: New Vegas was designed as a “green” Vault, focused on developing crops that could thrive in the wasteland. However, a fungal pathogen spread throughout the Vault, turning its inhabitants into violent, plant-like creatures. The environmental experiment became a horrific biological disaster.
Vault 87: The Birthplace of Super Mutants
Vault 87 is the horrifying origin point for the Super Mutants in the Capital Wasteland. This Vault had been built specifically to test the effects of an experimental Forced Evolutionary Virus (FEV) on a populace.
Vault-Tec: Beyond Evil?
The overarching narrative of Vault-Tec reveals a corporation motivated by both scientific curiosity and a deep-seated cynicism about human nature. The Vaults weren’t simply experiments; they were a testament to the pre-War government’s willingness to sacrifice its citizens for the sake of knowledge and control.
The Legacy of Vault-Tec
The legacy of Vault-Tec continues to haunt the post-apocalyptic world. The ruined Vaults stand as monuments to human cruelty and the dangers of unchecked scientific ambition. They are reminders that even in the face of annihilation, the potential for evil remains. The stories of the vaults demonstrate the importance of ethics in scientific experimentation, an issue that can be explored through gaming and educational websites such as the Games Learning Society.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) About Fallout Vaults
Here are some frequently asked questions about the Fallout Vaults:
1. What was the purpose of the Vaults in Fallout?
The official purpose was to preserve humanity from nuclear war. However, the true purpose was to conduct social and scientific experiments on the inhabitants.
2. How many Vaults are there in the Fallout universe?
While the exact number is unknown, it is estimated that there are over 122 Vaults in the Fallout universe.
3. What is Vault 0?
Vault 0 was designed to be the nucleus of the Vault network. It was built into Cheyenne Mountain, and it was designed to house the top minds in the US prior to the war. They would be cryogenically frozen and woken up once the fallout settled.
4. Why is Vault-Tec considered evil?
Vault-Tec is considered evil because of the unethical and often deadly experiments they conducted on unsuspecting Vault dwellers.
5. What are some other messed up Vaults besides Vault 11?
Some other messed up Vaults include Vault 75, Vault 22, Vault 87, Vault 95 and Vault 106.
6. Are all Vaults experiments?
Yes, all Vaults were designed as experiments, though the nature of the experiments varied greatly.
7. What happened to Vault 101?
Vault 101 was designed to remain sealed indefinitely. However, it was opened several times, leading to radroach infestations and internal conflicts.
8. What is so special about Vault 13?
Vault 13 is the home Vault of the protagonist in the original Fallout game. It was designed to remain sealed for an extended period, testing the effects of long-term isolation.
9. What happened in Vault 95?
Vault 95 was populated with recovering drug addicts. After five years of successful rehabilitation, a Vault-Tec agent released a hidden stash of drugs, triggering widespread relapse and violence.
10. What is the scariest Vault in Fallout: New Vegas?
Many consider Vault 22 to be the scariest in Fallout: New Vegas due to its fungal-infected inhabitants and disturbing atmosphere.
11. Is there a Vault 666 in Fallout?
No, there is no Vault 666 in the main Fallout games. It only appears as a quest in Fallout Shelter.
12. What happened to Vault 111?
Vault 111 was designed to test long-term cryogenic stasis. The inhabitants were frozen, but a malfunction resulted in the sole survivor, the player character, being released after over 200 years.
13. Who is Gary in Fallout?
Gary is a clone who lived in Vault 108. It was made up of clones and a dwindling Overseer.
14. What is Vault 33?
Vault 33 is a new Vault created for the Fallout TV series, set in Los Angeles.
15. What can we learn from the Fallout Vaults?
The Fallout Vaults serve as a cautionary tale about the dangers of unchecked power, unethical experimentation, and the resilience of the human spirit in the face of adversity. They prompt us to consider important ethical questions about science, society, and the value of human life.