List of Fallout Setup Levels
Fallout 76 is the latest in a long line of titles that preceded it, with the Fallout franchise widely considered to be one of the greatest RPG series ever created. Brought into the modern gaming industry when Bethesda took the reins and released Fallout 3 in 2008, Fallout has since seen a resurgence that has put both its modern and original titles among the favorites of many fans of the genre. Single-player titles released before Fallout 76 rose to fame through the branching stories and developed characters the series is famous for, but the signature post-apocalyptic setting is at the heart of Fallout.
Over the course of the franchise, nearly every major Fallout entry has introduced an entirely new location into its devastated post-war nuclear world. Early entries may have taken place in relatively similar zones, but the number of locations would expand as the retrofuturistic RPG series grew. Between the original titles and modern first-person shooters, Fallout took place in a myriad of locations, each leaving its own mark. With titles like Fallout: New Vegas setting such a high bar, however, it stands to reason that some of the series’ settings would prove better than others for most players.
Mojave Wasteland (Fallout: New Vegas) – A wasteland and the ruins of Las Vegas, the Mojave is home to the spectacle of New Vegas. A remarkably preserved and maintained bastion from the rest of the destruction the nation has suffered, New Vegas is a marvel of the post-war Fallout world. Beyond the city, the prolific Fallout Mojave Wasteland offers engaging quests from multiple factions as it sets a more hopeful tone than its predecessor. It’s still controversial whether Mojave or the Capital Wastelands are the best of the series, but the live-service nature of Fallout 76 means there’s still time for the current era of the franchise to reach its glory days. one level
Far Harbor (Fallout 4) – The setting for the Fallout 4 expansion, a location in Maine known as “The Island” is the main location of Far Harbor’s dark narrative. An interesting dynamic emerges from the conflict between various factions, with a radioactive haze hovering over the bombed-out island. The Island is a highly themed environment, and the expansion’s improvement on all aspects of the Fallout 4 base game makes Far Harbor more memorable than the base game for many. The Pitt (Fallout 3) – The aptly named ruins of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, the subject of Fallout 3’s The Pitt DLC is a difficult and disturbing place. Overrun by hostile invaders and filled with deformed inhabitants, The Pitt offers one of the most authentic Fallout experiences with its dark city that is infiltrated by the player in the guise of a slave. A memorable addition on top of the Capital Wasteland base, there’s a reason The Pitt was added to Fallout 76. Point Lookout (Fallout 3) – Based on the Maryland state park of the same name, Point Lookout is one of the few places to be unharmed by the bombs that destroyed civilization in the Fallout world. Instead, a supply of radioactive water has degenerated their population into dangerous mutants. Feeling like a proper sequel to Fallout 3, Point Lookout explores psychological themes and is considered one of the greatest DLCs Fallout has ever received, likely due in large part to its titular location. Capital Wasteland (Fallout 3) – The remnants of part of the East Coast of the United States around the capital Washington DC, the setting of Fallout 3 was a bold departure from the original that marked the emergence of the series under Bethesda. Always legendary for its dark and depressing atmosphere, Capital Wasteland is nothing short of famous among fans of the series and RPG players in general. This expanse of ruin evokes a sense of emptiness and death, and its sometimes barren nature works to its overall benefit. Level B
Appalachia (Fallout 76) – Located in West Virginia, Fallout 76’s liveliest setting is the latest in the series, despite the game being the oldest in terms of chronology in the series. While features like its mutated fauna offer a unique charm, Appalachia lacked the character other wastelands are given through their NPC population until almost two years after its initial release, when its Wastelanders DLC was released. The Commonwealth (Fallout 4) – The setting for 2015’s Fallout 4, The Commonwealth is another northeast region in the vein of the third game. Home to the technologically advanced faction known as The Institute, The Commonwealth is characterized by the presence of life-like androids known as Synths. The Commonwealth provides a more realistic iteration of what a post-apocalyptic world could look like, but ultimately lacks the strong atmosphere of the previous games. Nuka World (Fallout 4) – A pre-war theme park based on the popular Nuka Cola drink, Nuka World has been transformed into a massive stronghold for hostile invaders. Nuka World may be similar to Fallout 4 with its more linear narrative, but the amusement park setting pays homage to the series’ past to great effect. New California (Fallout 1 and Fallout 2) – Setting for the original Fallout games, New California was the first look at the series’ signature nuclear wasteland. The place where it all began, New California established the strong character of the entire franchise in Fallout’s first entry. Fallout 2 expanded on the first with more settlements, and New Reno is still considered one of the best areas in Fallout despite being from the more limited isometric era. Level C
Mothership Zeta (Fallout 3) – The final DLC for the third entry in the series sees the player abducted by aliens and trapped in the titular spaceship. A unique setting that leans towards the ridiculousness of the franchise, Mothership Zeta is quite different from the typical tone. Often criticized for its ridiculous additions to lore, the mothership hardly represents the Fallout series. Zion Canyon (Fallout: New Vegas) – The setting for the Honest Hearts expansion of New Vegas, this part of Utah is exceptionally lively in terms of its flora and fauna. With its resources, Zion Canyon is the subject of a land conflict between different settlers. Honest Hearts has a powerful narrative at its core, but the actual location where it takes place can be less interesting.
Fallout 76 is available for PC, PS4 and Xbox One.