Content Warnings (for the intro video itself):
- Depictions of nuclear war
- Heads on pikes
Brief introduction:
In Fallout: New California (Prequel to Fallout: New Vegas) you play as the kid from Vault 18. Orphan. Loner. Mutant. On the last big night of the Vault Ball season in 2260, you make a fateful decision that will change the course of your life – and eventually the future of the New California Republic.
Note: If you’ve completed this game, there is carryover into New Vegas after the fact. You will start a brand new New Vegas campaign with added lore and elements from New California. What carries over depends entirely on the path you’ve taken and decisions you’ve made (so be patient and thorough if you really care).
Personal feelings:
I got the privilege of playing Fallout: New California before ever picking up New Vegas, and I must say I am beyond grateful for that, having been able to go in blind for both games from start to finish without knowing the future events of the latter. The mod team behind this didn’t have the resources to do everything they wanted with it, so some things were cut from release, but the project is open to contribution and in a state that is perfectly playable (and, in my experience, satisfying) with 13 endings.
The lore this game expands upon in the Fallout universe is honestly some of the most impressive I’ve ever experienced, and I cannot recommend this game highly enough. In my own personal experience, I find the characters to be very human, and relatable, so they really did well in terms of giving them depth and character development.
I’ve never had a place like Hexbear, and honestly I feel all of you are the best people I’ve ever interacted with. That being said, I wanna give back and contribute stuff I personally really enjoy, so here’s one of my most cherished games you’ve probably never heard of. Maybe a lot of you will find the lore and themes in this game something you yourself can really relate to, like I have.
Additionally, I’m pretty interested in the conversation that could be had about this game, since I love reading all of your perspectives and interpretations about New Vegas.
Avoiding spoilers (for those that care about this):
- Avoid wandering into the video comments, and the recommended videos on the sidebar (just to be sure)
- Try not to read into the “Introduction” of the mod page any further than what has already been provided here. That includes watching the “Fallout New California Narrative Trailer” provided therein, as it does spoil some events.
- Try not to read into the “Story” part of the mod page.
- Skip straight to the “Installation” section of the mod page.
- Those who have played, don’t spoil anything, please!
- Add spoiler tags to anything you feel would be relevant to this, if you wish to talk about it here.
Fallout: New California mod page: https://www.nexusmods.com/newvegas/mods/45138/
- Recommended mods (for FNC playthrough) page here: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1Iciq_jIMJvZLMjkDQdCP0tDHmezpFme9nUKjDiZ1HGU/mobilebasic (use at your own discretion)
Man, this and Beyond Boulder Dome were the two mods that got me into creating my own stories, mods, and eventually a GURPS fallout campaign set in my old hometown. I distinctly remember not having internet, and having to lug my 5 pound laptop to McDonald’s for 2 hours so I could see what this mod that Al and everyone else was talking about. The Unity and Shi were great callbacks that I loved getting to see again.
Rad! Your mods, stories and that campaign happen to be public?
I’ve not heard of Beyond Boulder Dome before, but looking at the mod page reveals it’s set in Boulder Colorado, which is really exciting. I love exploring new states in the wasteland!
Without spoiling anything, what’s your personal feelings on the BBD game?
I’ve never actually played Fallout 1 and 2, but as I understand it, Fallout: New California is supposed to take place after them, making them canon in terms of lore?
The Unity and Shi were some of the best parts of the story for me, and really set the game apart from Fallout 3 in a big way.
My Fallout experience has been as follows: Fallout 3 -> Fallout: New California -> Fallout: New Vegas. Purely 3D universe experience. Would you recommend Fallout 1 and 2?
Will try to keep this all organized;
Stories, no, except for really old fanfic that I’m not pleased with the quality anymore. Mods; I was a voice actor for Autumn Leaves, a New Vegas mod that was really fun. Most of my other stuff is private bc I didn’t have regular access to internet till I was 18. Campaign if you’re interested I have session notes and the like, but it’s just the falloutification of Southern Illinois (Soil, I called it).
As someone who played the older games first, I LOVED Boulder dome. Essentially the mod was reintroducing a bunch of themes and characters from Fallout 3 (no, not that one. The cancelled one, Van Buren; which now exists as Project Van Buren. I definitely recommend checking it out if you like isometric games) also in BBD there’s cats, and the legion/ncr conflict spills over here. Determined place in timeline 2277, same as New Vegas.
Canon enough, I’d say. I still consider Fallout Tactics and Fallout Brotherhood of steel canon until proven otherwise, so I’m a little biased.
You’d probably have a good time reading the Fallout Bible if you haven’t yet. Tons of world building lore from the original creators in it.
As far as Fallout 1-2, tactics, and BoS, it’s complicated. If you’re familiar with games in that genre, like Baldur’s Gate, Planescape Torment, etc you’ll probably really enjoy them. At the same time, modern gaming has spoiled us (I have to have the aim down sights mod for fallout 3, for instance because I got too used to it), and some people consider it a slog. While I have your ear though I’d highly recommend Underrail (inspired by fallout), Wasteland series (inspired fallout), and Nuka Break if you haven’t seen it yet (on YouTube)
Haven’t played it before, something I’ll be checking out when I get the chance.
I think it’d be an interesting read, if you’d like to share it.
Taking note of this. Been in a Fallout phase lately, so why not do some exploring. Also did take interest in games like Open X-COM, so I do have some history with isometric titles.
Excellent. Should be a pretty seamless transition in that case.
Didn’t know something like this existed. I’ve always exhaustively read through the notes on any terminal I could find because I love this kind of stuff. Looking forward to it.
Lots of goodies in here. I’ll be sure to check them out. Thanks :)