Post-Apocalypse and Vaults: Five Fan-Made Fallout Remakes
Hello, my golden ones! This is Idar Tabukhov — a Scrum Master at MTS Digital and a big fan of computer games. There are plenty of Fallout fans here, and I’m no exception. I actually enjoyed almost every game in the series, including Fallout 76 (don’t judge me). If you’ve played everything available and are waiting for Fallout 5, you can pass the time with some fan-made remakes. These range from amateur projects to those crafted by professionals. Below are five well-known (and some lesser-known) remakes. Of course, there are more out there, so if you know of others, share them in the comments. Maybe I’ll come back with a second part. For now, let’s dive in!
Fallout: Vault 13
Remake concept: Fallout 1 recreated in Fallout 4 (2015), Creation Engine
This is a fan remake of the very first, classic Fallout from 1997, built on the Fallout 4 engine. The creators aimed to make a modern version that follows the main story beats of the original.
A demo (link below) has been available since August. It features just one of the five major zones planned for the final version — including Vaults 13 and 15, the village of Shady Sands, and the Khans’ base. Unfortunately, there’s no voice acting yet, as this is a hobby project for the developers, so progress is slower than many would like. Integrating voices is time-consuming, so they decided to postpone it for now.
There’s another issue — a bug that prevents skill levels from automatically adjusting when character stats change. To play this version, you’ll need Fallout 4 with all official DLCs. Here’s what the game looks like:
- All main DLCs and/or Fallout 4: GOTY Edition required.
- Fallout 4 must be updated to a version before the next-gen update (1.10.163). You can downgrade if needed. Also, delete any Creation Club content from the Data folder if present.
- Fallout 4 Script Extender (F4SE) is required.
Unfortunately, there’s no release date for the final version yet, but the demo gives hope for a successful completion. The team is now collaborating with the Fallout 4: Project Arroyo remake (a Fallout 2 project).
Fallout 4: Project Arroyo
Remake concept: Fallout 2 recreated in Fallout 4 (2015), Creation Engine
As mentioned above, this project involves a team of 100 people aiming to release the remake in the coming months, with plans for a Steam release. In a recent interview, the developers shared some interesting details:
- Fallout 2 locations are combined into a single new world, so the team isn’t making an exact copy. It’s similar, but not identical.
- Unfortunately, you won’t be able to drive a moving car. The player will enter a vehicle and use it for fast travel, similar to Fallout 2. The Fallout 4 engine is too complex to support drivable cars.
- Remember Frank Horrigan? He’ll be a full-fledged boss you can fight at different stages, much like Adam Smasher in Cyberpunk 2077.
- Every character will be voiced. The team was forbidden from using original voice lines, so they’re recording everything from scratch.
“We want to bring the game back in all its deserved glory. We’ll be adding skills, perks, weapons, locations, NPCs, and everything in between for a complete experience. Our team has worked incredibly hard, and we’ve finished our first city — Modoc,” said one of the team members.
There’s no demo yet, so for now, you’ll have to settle for interviews, screenshots, videos, and rumors. To keep busy, download the Pip-Boy 3000A for Fallout 4.
Fallout 4: Capital Wasteland
Remake concept: Fallout 3 recreated in Fallout 4 (2015), Creation Engine
In the early 2000s, Bethesda and Zenimax acquired the rights to Fallout: A Post-Apocalypse Role Playing Game, originally by Interplay and Black Isle Studios. In 2008, they released their first game in the franchise, Fallout 3.
Now, a team of enthusiasts is working to modernize Fallout 3 by bringing its world into Fallout 4’s graphics engine. The entire Wasteland is being rebuilt, with quests, dialogues, and all locations added. There isn’t much information available, but you can follow progress on the team’s Discord.
Four years ago, a trailer for this remake was released. Check it out:
There’s no specific release date yet, but work is ongoing. The team also announced a remake of Broken Steel, the third DLC for Fallout 3, which focuses on the Brotherhood of Steel and Enclave conflict. Here’s the project website.
Fallout 4: New Vegas
Remake concept: Fallout: New Vegas (2010) recreated in Fallout 4 (2015), Creation Engine
This project has an interesting history, unfolding in two phases. Before 2017, one team worked on it, but disagreements caused a halt. Later, a new team, including some original members, took over.
Things are going relatively smoothly now. The main challenge was re-recording all voice acting, as the team wasn’t allowed to use original audio from Fallout: New Vegas (2010). So, they decided to do it all themselves.
The game will feature mechanics familiar to New Vegas fans: karma, reputation, and disguises. However, it won’t be a direct copy of the world or mechanics. First, because it’s difficult; second, to keep things interesting. Fans of the original will enjoy the Mojave Wasteland and interiors recreated in Fallout 4.
The last update on the project’s Facebook group was in July 2023. Updates appear more regularly on X (Twitter), with the latest in August 2024. There’s no word on a release date or if it will ever be released, but there’s been no talk of cancellation, so let’s hope for the best.
Fallout: The Story
Remake concept: Fallout 1 on the Fallout: New Vegas engine
Fallout: The Story is a fan remake of the first Fallout game using the Fallout: New Vegas engine. Players can explore a small part of the Fallout 1 world, including Vault 13, Vault 15, Shady Sands, and Junktown. The mod features voiced NPCs, even for characters who were silent in the original. The developers are especially focused on preserving the authenticity of the original dialogues and quests.
Fallout: The Story uses more modern mechanics than the original game, such as first- or third-person camera, dynamic combat, the VATS system from Fallout: New Vegas, and other features from later series entries.