Entering The Vault Of Knowledge
Fallout is a bleak, post-apocalyptic romp, combining exploration, shooting and plenty of sprawling dungeons and interesting locales. All of this, plus the pockets of humanity all trying to live together, makes for a very enjoyable game.
If you’re in the mood for more of the same, fret not! We’ve gathered together 10 books to check out when you’ve finished playing Fallout. Of course, if you feel we’ve missed any of your favourites, do comment below and let us know!
Metro series by Dmitry Glukhovsky
This series is set in the Moscow Metro, where the last survivors of a global nuclear holocaust have taken refuge. The inhabitants of the metro face mutant threats, supernatural events, and internal conflicts within this new underground society.
The post-apocalyptic setting, supernatural elements, and themes of survival and connection in a hostile environment align with Fallout’s hostile world and narrative. It’s also a fellow videogame too and these shooters are well worth your time!
A Boy and His Dog by Harlan Ellison
Set in a post-apocalyptic future, a young scavenger named Vic and his telepathic dog Blood roam the wastelands looking for food and women. Their bond and adventures emphasize the harshness of their world, making for a bleak but very enjoyable read.
Much like Fallout, the wasteland setting, the canine companion (akin to Dogmeat in Fallout 4), and the gritty challenges of day-to-day survival reflect many aspects of the Fallout universe.
The Postman by David Brin
Set in a post-apocalyptic America, the story follows a man who adopts the identity of a postal worker based on an old, found uniform in order to survive.
His fabricated role gives hope to the isolated communities he encounters, inspiring them to reconnect with each other.
The central theme of re-establishing connections in a post-apocalyptic world is certainly similar to Fallout’s narrative of journeying around isolated cities and communities.
The Road by Cormac McCarthy
This novel follows a father and son traversing a post-apocalyptic landscape, contending with harsh survival conditions and the worst of human nature. Their journey is both physically and morally grueling, but love and hope guide their path.
The bleak post-apocalyptic environment and thin pockets of hope amidst desolation aligns with Fallout’s setting, narrative, and themes.
Roadside Picnic by Arkady and Boris Strugatsky
This sci-fi novel takes place after an extraterrestrial event known as the Visitation. The alien “zones” left behind contain strange and deadly anomalies, along with artifacts that defy human understanding. The protagonist is a “stalker”, someone who risks their life to illegally enter the zones and retrieve artifacts.
The eerie, dangerous zones and the protagonist’s role as a risk-taker navigating hostile environments align with the themes and gameplay of Fallout, particularly traveling these landscapes and collecting artifacts.
Damnation Alley by Roger Zelazny
In a post-apocalyptic America, Hell Tanner, a violent biker is given a task: deliver medicine from Los Angeles to Boston, traversing the perilous wasteland called Damnation Alley. This area is filled with monstrous storms and mutated creatures. It’s certainly not going to be a walk in the park!
The devastated American landscape depicted in Damnation Alley, not to mention the concept of a lone wanderer traversing dangerous terrains, aligns closely with the world and themes of Fallout.
The Stand by Stephen King
A deadly flu virus called Captain Trips wipes out 99% of the world’s population, leading to an epic confrontation between good and evil. The battlelines are drawn, and with over 1000 pages of survival, drama and horror, there’s lots to unpack here.
Survivors are drawn to either the benevolent Mother Abagail or the malevolent Randall Flagg. Both this and Fallout depicts a world completely destroyed and humanity left to try and rebuild after a cataclysmic event. The divide between factions and the battle for the future of humanity mirror the factional struggles and overarching themes in the Fallout series beautifully.
Lucifer’s Hammer by Larry Niven and Jerry Pournelle
When a massive comet strikes Earth, the world is plunged into chaos, with survivors grappling with the collapse of civilization and the fight for remaining resources. What’s particularly interesting here though is that the book begins prior to the strike and works through all stages of the collapse and eventual rebuilding phase, making for a uniquely enjoyable read.
The desperate struggle for survival in a world suddenly thrown into chaos and societal breakdown aligns with Fallout’s post-apocalyptic atmosphere, and its challenges that humans face is very similar in both.
Silo series by Hugh Howey
Humanity now lives underground in a vast silo, with strict rules and a mysterious outside world deemed deadly to any who venture out. As individuals start questioning their reality and the rules governing them, secrets begin to unravel.
Living in confined, underground spaces closely mirrors the Vaults of the Fallout series, while the general worldbuilding and characters are excellently constructed to really lean into the mystery and wonder.
Themes of uncovering hidden truths and the outside world’s dangers parallel the vault dwellers’ experiences when they emerge into the post-apocalyptic wasteland.
A Canticle for Leibowitz by Walter M. Miller Jr.
After a devastating nuclear war, monks in a desert monastery preserve humanity’s remnants of knowledge. The novel spans thousands of years, depicting the cyclical nature of history and civilization’s rise and fall.
The preservation of pre-war knowledge, contemplating civilization’s role in the world, and the backdrop of a world scarred by nuclear war; all of these feel very similar to the world of Fallout. It’ll resonate deeply with fans of the games and makes for a very enjoyable and satisfying read.
These are just a few books that will give you the vibe and feel of the Fallout games. What did you think of the list? Have you read any of these books before? Or are we missing a must-read novel? Comment below and let us know!