Fallout S1 Review: Best Video Game Adaptation Ever Made!

The Fallout game franchise may be my all time favorite. With that, Prime Video absolutely could not mess this one up like almost every single game-to-movie/television series in existence. This new Fallout series is probably the best of those video game adaptations ever made. Sure, the bar is low, but I can commend the insane effort put into making this series a true expansion of the story.

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Instead of retelling plots from the existing games, the show branches off into a new story with brand new characters set in this universe. To me, that’s the greatest accomplishment and a key element as to why many of these video game adaptations fail. It also helps that these new characters are all excellent.

Ella Purnell’s Lucy is such a delight on-screen as the goody vault dweller becoming gradually hardened by the perilous wasteland. It works as a well-constructed contrast to Walton Goggins’ Ghoul, who has a depth to his character and some of the most satisfying gunfights I’ve seen in a show like this.

Both actors stole the show for me, and when they shared the screen I was glued to the screen. Lastly, seeing the morally grey Maximus navigate through his interpersonal trials and tribulations within the Brotherhood of Steel was pretty interesting, and there was a level of nuance present with his character’s decisions.

Film from the Fallout pic.twitter.com/PONHbxe0Zg

— Prime Video (@PrimeVideo) April 26, 2024

The Fallout franchise has a pretty particular aesthetic compared to other games, and this series was able to bring that to life flawlessly. I loved the emphasis on the production design and practical effects placed here, and for a streaming series Fallout on Prime totally nailed it. Everything from the tidy vault environment, to Goggins’ ghoul makeup, to the impressive mechanics of the T-60 power armor was cultivated with precision.

The digital effects were also markedly magnificent. I only found two areas in need of improvement. The stunt choreography of the fight scenes could have been more polished, along with the action framework provided by the cinematography and editing. I am overjoyed for the success of this new Fallout series. Clearly the entire cast and creative team about crafting this story.

‘Fallout S1 on Prime’ Rating – 4/5

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