10 Years Ago, Fallout Shelter Showed a New Side of the…

On June 14, 2015, Fallout Shelter launched, and it offered fans a completely different way to experience the beloved Fallout franchise's post-nuclear world. Instead of an open-world RPG, Fallout Shelter premiered as a construction and management simulator, putting players in the shoes of a Vault Overseer. With its fun-loving art style inspired by Fallout's iconic Vault Boy and focus on shelter and community management, Fallout Shelter put a spotlight on a side of the series that has rarely been showcased.

For the most part, Fallout games have taken place outside the Vaults. Of course, many of the Fallout entries begin in the Vaults, but players are quickly thrust into the harsh and unforgiving wastelands of a post-apocalyptic America. However, Fallout Shelter marked a special moment for the series, as it fully embraced life inside the Vaults instead of focusing on a story set outside these fascinating bunker societies.

Fallout Has the Perfect Premise for a Horror Spin-Off

Fallout has a massive setting and rich world filled with different scenarios that could put characters into all kinds of horrifying situations.

Posts

By Shayna Josi

The Heart of Fallout Shelter Lies Beneath the Wasteland's Surface

Keeping a Vault Society Happy and Healthy

The main premise of Fallout Shelter is simple. Players are tasked with building their very own Vaults and taking care of Vault Dwellers as the Overseer. There are two main ways to grow one's Vault: players can either rescue and recruit survivors from the wasteland, or pair a male and female Vault Dweller together in order to refuel the Vault's population. Vault Dwellers can even be sent to the surface for missions, but ultimately, most of the focus remains underground.

Even though the game's mechanics and goals are far more simplistic compared to the majority of the Fallout franchise, getting to actually experience life inside the Vaults instantly made Fallout Shelter a standout spin-off. Since the beginning of the series with the first Fallout game in 1997, Vaults have been an essential piece of lore. Fallout has such a specific identity, and Vaults are one of the most important pieces when it comes to building its unique world. However, getting to experience the day-to-day life of these communities wasn't made possible until 2015.

Fallout Shelter originally launched for iOS devices, eventually coming to Android in August 2015. The game would later come to the PC in 2016, the Xbox One in 2017, and finally the PS4 in 2018.

Fallout Shelter was a great approach to expanding the franchise's lore in a simple, but effective, way that didn't require a mainline chapter. Every Fallout game has allowed players to role-play in their own ways, but Fallout Shelter flipped this franchise staple on its head. Instead of taking on the role of a post-apocalyptic survivor, Fallout Shelter allowed players to govern their Vault any way they desired.

Players can make sure a Vault's population thrives, but they can also prioritize the longevity of the Vault over the happiness of its citizens. For such a simple game premise, there can be a lot of depth and dark implications, depending on how players embrace their Overseer role. Vaults are iconic Fallout fixtures, but they are also notorious for disturbing living conditions, and Fallout Shelter offers a glimpse into how quickly an Overseer can begin to see Vault Dwellers merely as expendables.

Fallout Shelter put a spotlight on a side of the series that has rarely been showcased.

Fallout Shelter is free-to-play. The game features microtransactions, but they aren't necessary for enjoying the experience.

Fallout Shelter Still Has Untapped Potential

Bethesda has yet to announce Fallout 5.

There's no telling when Fallout 5 will be ready, but Fallout Shelter could serve as a surprising source of inspiration. A fresh game that gives an even deeper look into Vault life could be a strong starting point for a standout Fallout story that subverts expectations. Fallout Shelter has remained an underrated spin-off for a full decade now, and its embrace of the Vaults keeps it a special entry in its long-running franchise.

Rating block community and brand ratings Image