This year has been filled with some pretty big announcements, and Bethesda confirming that Fallout 3 and Fallout: New Vegas remasters are in development has been one of the most exciting reveals yet. It has been over a decade since a new mainline Fallout game was released, and even though these remasters aren’t a new chapter, it’s a positive sign that Bethesda’s post-apocalyptic franchise will soon be back in the spotlight. However, the downside is that Bethesda has yet to reveal when the Fallout 3 and New Vegas remasters are expected to be ready.
It might be a while before any new Fallout game debuts, but the bright side is that there is already a great alternative that has an interesting history with the Fallout franchise. The game is Wasteland 3, and the Fallout games probably wouldn’t even exist if it wasn’t for this series. Wasteland 3 is a squad-based tactical take on the post-apocalyptic survival genre, and it might just be the perfect way to pass the time while waiting for the Fallout 3 and New Vegas remasters to get here.
The Wasteland Series Directly Paved the Way for Fallout
he first Wasteland game came out in 1988 and was developed by Interplay Entertainment (then Interplay Productions) and published by Electronic Arts. Longtime Fallout fans will quickly recognize the name Interplay Entertainment. Before Bethesda took over the Fallout franchise, it was originally handled by its creators at Interplay Entertainment. The studio was responsible for the first two Fallout games, and the story behind how the series came to be is really fascinating.
What’s That Weapon?
Identify the silhouettes before time runs out.
Identify the silhouettes before time runs out.
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After Interplay made Wasteland back in the 80s, the developer intended to make a sequel. However, plans quickly changed when the studio was unable to acquire the licensing rights from EA. That didn’t stop the team’s ambitions of making another post-apocalyptic RPG, though. Being unable to continue the Wasteland franchise inspired Interplay to make up a brand-new original IP with a similar premise, and that gave birth to Fallout.
The Fallout and Wasteland games have enough similarities to appeal to gamers who have only played the former, but there are also enough differences that make the latter feel fresh. Wasteland is far more tactical experience, and while that might turn some Fallout fans away, it’s the perfect game to check out for those who want something that feels close enough to Fallout without being an exact copy of that formula.
Major spoilers ahead for Fallout Season 2.
Wasteland 3 Is a Survival RPG Set in an Unforgiving and Cold Wasteland
One of Wasteland 3‘s most interesting features is its setting. The game is set in a harsh, snow-covered wasteland that was once Colorado, which could be especially exciting for fans of the Fallout TV series. Those who have seen the Fallout Season 2 finale now know that the series is taking The Ghoul to Colorado to find his wife, Barb, and daughter, Janey, who are presumed to have run off to the state. Another big reveal was that the Enclave seemingly has a secret headquarters nestled within the Rocky Mountains, meaning Colorado is going to be one of the most important locations in Fallout Season 3.
Colorado’s Role in Fallout Lore Has Been Confusing, But Wasteland 3 Embraces the Area
The only Fallout game that features Colorado as a major location is Fallout Tactics: Brotherhood of Steel, and its canon status isn’t super clear. Colorado’s harsh climate and daunting landscape make it a great location to set a post-apocalyptic story in, and Wasteland 3 can scratch the itch for Fallout fans who have wanted a mainline game that takes place in the region. Wasteland 3‘s story is just as compelling as its setting, because it requires players to try and save the region from the “Patriarch of Colorado’s” three children who are vying to take over and lead the state.
A Look at Wasteland 3’s Other Features
- Turn-based combat
- Detailed character customization with a variety of skills and perks
- Morally tough choices that change the game’s world
- Command a team of up to six Rangers
- Dynamic dialogue that allows players to dive deeper into character roles
- Can be played as either a single-player experience or in co-op with a friend
Fallout fans who love finding new choice-based RPGs and enjoy stepping into the shoes of wasteland survivors living to fight another day will find plenty of that with Wasteland 3‘s gameplay. Role-playing and survival lie at the heart of the Fallout franchise, and that’s because these features are what made up the cornerstone of Wasteland first.
After Interplay wasn’t able to secure the rights to a Wasteland sequel, InXile eventually took over the series. InXile is gearing up to release its original steampunk RPG Clockwork Revolution in 2027. There have also been rumors that after Clockwork Revolution, InXile might be tasked with making a Fallout spin-off. If that rumor turns out to be true, it would be a fun coincidence after taking over the series that was responsible for inspiring Fallout.
Bethesda’s upcoming Fallout 3 and New Vegas remasters are exciting, and Fallout 5 being in development is even better. Beyond these three projects, a new Fallout game by Obsidian is in the works, too. It’s been an exciting time to be a Fallout fan, but those who don’t want to revisit older games they have already played while waiting for the new ones don’t have to worry about another playthrough. Wasteland 3 boasts everything that has made Fallout such a beloved series, and it’s well worth adding to one’s library.
Turn-based RPGs aren’t for everyone, and that’s fair. However, it could also mean missing out on a great story and compelling world. Wasteland 3‘s turn-based gameplay is a big part of the experience, but it isn’t the full picture. The series has continued to bring fascinating post-apocalyptic worlds to life, and its connection to the Fallout franchise is bound to make it a pleasant surprise for fans who weren’t aware of what game led to Fallout‘s creation in the first place.
- Released
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August 28, 2020
- ESRB
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