I found myself unexpectedly caught in a whirlwind of nostalgia and excitement this week, all thanks to Fallout Shelter. This free-to-play base builder, which first graced our screens over a decade ago, has recently resurfaced in a way that left me both thrilled and slightly overwhelmed. Originally launched on PC in 2017 as a complimentary title on Steam, Fallout Shelter may not boast the intricate narratives of New Vegas or the expansive world of Fallout 4, but it remains a compelling management simulation, rich with the beloved stylistic elements of the franchise. However, it appears that Bethesda had largely overlooked the PC version—until now.
New Updates and Features
The latest update for Fallout Shelter is being touted as its “largest update yet,” coinciding perfectly with the introduction of a new season pass system. This update brings forth a treasure trove of content that had previously been exclusive to the mobile version, now available for Steam users. For those who haven’t been keeping tabs, this is the ideal moment to dive back in, as the update includes an array of new questlines, characters, weapons, themes, and much more. If you’re looking for a way to keep your hands busy while catching up on the second season of the Fallout show on Prime, this could be just the ticket.
In conjunction with the show, the update also rolls out the inaugural Fallout Shelter seasons. The first season pass, titled ‘Viva New Vegas,’ draws inspiration from the series’ second season. It features limited-time ‘experimental vaults,’ familiar characters, outfits, and weapons, along with rewards designed to enhance the morale and compliance of your vault dwellers.
Additionally, players can embark on the ‘Power Struggle’ questline, inspired by the show’s first season. This questline consists of eight missions, allowing players to interact with characters such as Lucy, Maximus, The Ghoul, and the loyal pup CX404. To celebrate the 25th anniversary of Fallout, the update also introduces the six-quest chain ‘Searching in the Dark,’ new vault dwellers including Ed the Ghoul and the Vault 76 Overseer, and fresh adversaries to challenge.
The base season pass is available for / £10, offering a Vault Exterior theme, a Sunset Sarsaparilla Bottler theme, and new legendary dwellers. For an additional / £10, players can unlock “25 season badges, Mr. House, Maximus’ Jacket, T-45d power armor, a Sleek Suit, an Expert Jumpsuit, a Technician’s Revenge, two Pet Carriers, and 5,000 Caps.”
While one might wonder if this significant update was merely a strategic move by Bethesda to introduce a new revenue stream, the reality remains that players can enjoy the wealth of new content added to the PC port, regardless of whether they opt for the premium offerings.
The Fallout Shelter update and the first season, ‘Viva New Vegas,’ are now live on Steam, where players can enjoy the game for free. Embark on your journey as an Overseer today.
