With all three of its main characters searching the Wasteland, Fallout leans into a tried-and-true hook: How will all of these stories connect? Although packed with world-building, characters, backstories, and mysteries, the first few episodes of Fallout manage to be both accessible and engaging. Those who aren’t familiar with the franchise may need a moment to calibrate to its unique tone, but splitting the story into three threads keeps the bevy of information digestible.

Prime Video's Fallout Differs From Other Video Game Adaptations In A Key Way

Unlike other video game adaptations, Fallout benefits from not replicating a pre-existing narrative. That worked for a linear game-to-screen translation like The Last of Us, but for an open-world game like Fallout — one that’s packed with limitless stories and choices — creating something fresh for TV is a solid choice. Geneva Robertson-Dworet & Graham Wagner, who created the Fallout TV series', are clear: The aim isn't to please fans of the franchise. At least, that fool’s errand is not top of mind. It’s a bold but sensible approach, especially in the wake of Paramount+’s Halo woes.

It’s clear that the series’ creators are Fallout devotees. From the retro-futuristic aesthetic and blue-and-yellow jumpsuits to Lucy’s use of a Survival Syringe and the myriad posters Vault Boy (Vault-Tec’s mascot), Fallout is packed with nods to the franchise. Refreshingly, the series doesn’t take itself too seriously. When Lucy prepares to leave the Vault, her fellow bunker-dwellers call out to her, insisting she come back. After she steps out into the bright light of Wasteland, one of them grumbles, “Well, that didn’t work.” It’s exactly the kind of thing you’d say to your TV, and that’s part of Fallout’s charm.

The cast of Fallout also helps the post-apocalyptic drama stand out in a crowded field. Purnell, who cut her teeth in another genre mashup, is given a chance to truly shine as she shoulders a large chunk of the series. Goggins’ Ghoul, formerly known as Cooper Howard, embodies the contradictions of the Wasteland. The gunslinger may seem at ease in the harsh, radiated world, but his haunting backstory deepens what could’ve been a one-note character.

MacLachlan, a frequent David Lynch collaborator, clearly knows how to infuse his earnest Hank with offbeat humor. Sarita Choudhury (The Green Knight), who plays the mysterious Moldaver, is captivating as ever in her portrayal of a character who straddles the Wasteland’s moral gray areas. In fact, Fallout’s cast is a beautiful blend of actors who have as many comedic chops as they do dramatic ones. While Prime Video went week-to-week with recent releases, all eight episodes of Fallout season 1 dropped at once. Replicating the Netflix release style invites marathon viewings and doesn’t allow for much dwelling on the misfires.

Although Fallout may boast one-too-many slow-motion montages set to oldies, there’s no denying the care that went into crafting the series, from its practical effects to its franchise references. The series wants to pay homage because it’s fun to do so, not because it feels beholden to the franchise’s devotees. Translating an open-world game with near-endless conversation permutations and choices is a tall order. Part of what makes video games so difficult to adapt to the screen is the loss of interactivity.

Player choice defines Fallout more than the average game, but the ive medium of TV doesn’t inherently implicate its audience. To for this, Prime Video’s adaptation makes watchers feel like they’re “in” on a joke; it doesn’t break the fourth wall, but there’s a deft self-awareness. The beats don’t always land, but, in its best moments, the show’s approach makes you feel like you're standing shoulder-to-shoulder with Lucy in your own blue-and-yellow jumpsuit. The series isn’t precious or withholding. Instead, Fallout knows its viewers, and it isn’t afraid to give them a Vault Boy-style wink.