Fallout Season 2: retains its magic without betraying its essence

In April last year, Fallout arrived on Prime Video, and to say we were surprised would be an understatement. We came across something we don’t usually see: a good adaptation of a video game that, rather than trying to translate what we see in a title frame by frame, managed to adapt the lore, experiences, and humor that have characterized the franchise. But with a second season just around the corner, the question arises: was this just a miracle, or has the magic formula really been found? After watching the first six episodes of season 2, this is the assessment left by the return of Fallout.

Viva New Vegas

If there is one fear that can be immediately dispelled with the return of Fallout, it is that the tone achieved in the first season remains intact. In terms of production, the series continues to look impeccable, and the fact that the world is expanding allows us to learn more details about the wasteland, as well as the different characters and mutations that surround it. This time around, we have more nods, more factions, and more details, all without becoming too complex or difficult to understand for those who have never been immersed in the lore of video games. Without giving too much away about the plot, although Fallout: New Vegas is the main source of inspiration for many of these elements, the series does a good job of explaining what it’s all about, without forcing you to know the game or have played it before.

The story picks up right where season 1 left off, with Lucy and the Ghoul heading to New Vegas in search of the Vault dweller’s father. This team dynamic feels so natural that it even makes you think that the Ghoul had been waiting for Lucy outside Vault 33 since the beginning of the series. For his part, Walton Goggins continues to steal the show with his dual performance as the Ghoul, who shines in several moments throughout the season, as well as in his role as Cooper Howard, which continues to be explored through various flashbacks of his previous life. Maximus, on the other hand, is a little more sidelined, back with the Brotherhood of Steel and a conflict looming.

One thing that does fall short this time around is that, although the story of Lucy and the Ghoul remains the main focus, the expansion of the world also multiplies the different narrative fronts. This means that, at times, situations occurring elsewhere are completely overlooked, with characters who should matter a little more to us. Furthermore, considering that the season will premiere with one episode per week, these waiting times are likely to feel even longer.

Fallout proves in its second season that the success of the first was no fluke. The series maintains its high production values, its respect for the lore, and that balance between humor, violence, and criticism that defines the franchise, while expanding its world with more factions and references, especially to New Vegas. Although the expansion of the narrative causes some characters and storylines to take a back seat for a moment, the heart of the story remains intact. With these first episodes, Fallout confirms that it has found the right formula and that its return to the wasteland remains as appealing as it is unpredictable.

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