The upcoming mod,Fallout: Vault 13, aims to bring the classic gameplay and locations ofFallout 1to life within theFallout 4game engine. The mod mirrorsFallout 1in numerous ways, including familiar settings, quests, and also similar tones and aesthetics.
In a recent interview, Game Rant spoke with Culinwino, the co-project lead ofFallout: Vault 13. In the interview, Culinwino discussed various features of the mod, including the dialogue, SPECIAL skills, and music. Since the mod is aFallout 1remake, he explained that the team has worked hard to ensure thatVault 13retains the same aesthetics as the original game, giving players a new gameplay experience while also immersing them in a familiar environment.
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The Origins of Fallout: Vault 13
Fallout 4and the Bethesda communityat large are well-known for modding.Vault 13is one of the newest mods that offers a full-fledged recreation of the original gameFallout 1, which was originally released in October 1997 and is set in a post-apocalyptic Southern California, starting in the year 2161. The game’s main character, known as the Vault Dweller, is entrusted with the mission of retrieving a water chip from the Wasteland to replace the broken one in their subterranean shelter,Vault 13.
The project started in February 2021 when Culinwino decided he wanted a new and challenging project. According to Culinwino, he decided to create a few map prototypes to see if aFallout 1remake projectwas feasible or not. After teaming up with Kreb, the uploader of a video related to the project, they combined their systems to createFallout: Vault 13.
“Even though Kreb isn’t active on the project anymore,Fallout: Vault 13would not have been possible without the skill system he created, which we still use to this day,” Culinwino said.
Remaking Fallout 1 in Fallout 4’s System
The upcoming mod seeks to recreatethe classicFalloutlocations, gameplay mechanics, and storyline ofFallout 1withinFallout 4’sgame engine. The development team has taken several measures to ensure that the mod stays true to the original game while also introducing new features that enhance the overall experience. These features include updated graphics, a modified skill system, and a revamped dialogue system. While these changes would seem to impact on how one plays, that’s not the case according to Culinwino.
“While we have expanded some of the environments by a fair amount, players can still rely on original game strategy guides to successfully navigate the world."
That said, to provide a fresh take on the dialogue system, the mod incorporates the Extended Dialogue Interface (XDI) framework. This is a significant departure fromFallout 4’sdialogue systemas it enables players to choose from more than four dialogue options. The use of XDI also enables the mod to include all the branching dialogue and complex skill checks that made the original game so compelling. With these features,Fallout: Vault 13will offer an unprecedented level of depth and complexity to the gameplay.
The skill system inFallout: Vault 13has undergone significant modifications from the original game, including the combination of certain skills, such as the First Aid and Doctor skills into a single Medicine skill. The values of these skills rely heavily on the player’s SPECIAL attributes, similar to the original game, placing higher importance on starting SPECIAL values compared toFallout 4. “Your skill values will affect combat and your interactions with other characters significantly, with an impact on your character that you might expect,” Culinwino said.
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Remaining Faithful to the OG Fallout
Although the team is creatingthe mod with theFallout 4engine, Culinwino explained that the team is trying to remain as faithful to the original game as possible, especially in terms of recreating a similar atmosphere and familiarFalloutlocations in the mod. The upcoming mod is set to bring back some of the most iconic locations from the originalFallout 1game, including Shady Sands, Necropolis, Junktown, and Vault 13. These same locations were present inFallout 1, but with improved graphics and gameplay mechanics, they will be more immersive and realistic. Other locations inFallout 1like the Hub, the Boneyard, and the Cathedral, while familiar, are yet to be determined whether or not they will make an appearance, but it’s likely many locations, quests, and various other elements will make cameos inVault 13.
Moreover, according to Culinwino, the development team ofFallout:Vault 13has also utilizedmusic to evoke the same aesthetic as inFallout 1. To achieve this goal, the team collaborated with several talented musicians to compose the soundtrack for the mod. These composers have even analyzed songs from the original game’s soundtrack to understand how the samples and instruments work together to create the music that players still adore today.
“The fact that everyone on our team is obsessed withFallouthelps a lot when it comes to bringing the atmosphere of the game to life, especially when it comes to the soundtrack.That extra step of looking closely at how the original soundtrack was put together definitely gives our composers the edge when it comes to making new tracks.”
TheFallout: Vault 13mod aims to retain the same atmospheric elements that made the originalFalloutgame a classic, but this has proven to be a challenging task for the development team. Despite the limitations of the medium, the team is determined to preserve the bleak anddesolate feel ofFallout 1. As aFallout4mod, the game has certain inherent differences, but the team is taking various factors into consideration to create a similar atmosphere. Lighting, audio, and environment design are all crucial elements that contribute to the game’s overall tone. The team is working tirelessly to ensure that each element of the game fits into the overall aesthetic of the originalFallout.
“Keeping the atmosphere similar toFallout 1has been a challenge, given the limitations of the medium we’re working in,” Culinwino said. “At the end of the day,Fallout: Vault 13is aFallout 4mod. I don’t believe any amount of work can change that.”
Fallout 4is available now on PC, PS4, and Xbox One with PS5 and Xbox Series X|S versions on the way in 2023.
