"War. War never changes."
Generally speaking, with a little bit of argument, the above quotation's not really true. Motives vary, technology evolves, weapons change. The locations change, the times change. Even the results change. But the horrors of seeing other human beings dead, even killed by your own hand. Of seeing families fall apart, hearts broken, and dreams shattered. That never changes.
So, when you really look, it’s not the fact that war never changes; human morality or the makeup of the soul never changes (this is generally speaking, of course. Recent events have shown that there are indeed some sick f***s out there). The human spirit never changes; neither is it ever truly defeated. The world of Fallout 3 is a testament to that.
When the Lone Wanderer first stumbles out of Vault 101 into the Capital Wasteland, he (for the sake of not having to say he/she every time, we’ll just say he) is met by a blinding ray of light. As the Wanderer’s eyes adjust, an outdated sign greets him: “Scenic Overlook.” Despite the satirical intention, the Wasteland is immediately something to behold.
So, when you really look, it’s not the fact that war never changes; human morality or the makeup of the soul never changes (this is generally speaking, of course. Recent events have shown that there are indeed some sick f***s out there). The human spirit never changes; neither is it ever truly defeated. The world of Fallout 3 is a testament to that.
When the Lone Wanderer first stumbles out of Vault 101 into the Capital Wasteland, he (for the sake of not having to say he/she every time, we’ll just say he) is met by a blinding ray of light. As the Wanderer’s eyes adjust, an outdated sign greets him: “Scenic Overlook.” Despite the satirical intention, the Wasteland is immediately something to behold.
The overlook consists of a water tower a little farther off, with a crumbling highway to the right. Decomposed trees, stagnate, irradiated water, and long-dormant vehicles litter the nearly non-existent roads. Going further, the Wanderer roams into the ruins of Springvale, a town that saw its golden days before the Nuclear Apocalypse of 2077.
Soon after leaving the crumbling frames of the houses of Springvale, the Wanderer finds a makeshift town that is experiencing its golden days now, 200 years after the former. The inhabitants of the Wasteland call it Megaton, thanks to the “fountain” of the city being an enormous, secretly active nuclear bomb. It’s become such a fixture of the town that a religion, led by Confessor Cromwell, worships it as a tool of their god Atom.
Amidst this tragic environment, however, hope still lives. As I mentioned above, the world of Fallout 3 is a testament to the fact that the human spirit never changes. It is never defeated, and we always find a way to survive. And like always, what doesn’t kill you makes you stronger. The town of Megaton embodies this perfectly. They built the town around a bomb. This may seem on the suicidal or crazy side, but it actually represents a condition of humanity.
Soon after leaving the crumbling frames of the houses of Springvale, the Wanderer finds a makeshift town that is experiencing its golden days now, 200 years after the former. The inhabitants of the Wasteland call it Megaton, thanks to the “fountain” of the city being an enormous, secretly active nuclear bomb. It’s become such a fixture of the town that a religion, led by Confessor Cromwell, worships it as a tool of their god Atom.
Amidst this tragic environment, however, hope still lives. As I mentioned above, the world of Fallout 3 is a testament to the fact that the human spirit never changes. It is never defeated, and we always find a way to survive. And like always, what doesn’t kill you makes you stronger. The town of Megaton embodies this perfectly. They built the town around a bomb. This may seem on the suicidal or crazy side, but it actually represents a condition of humanity.
The world was destroyed by the nuclear apocalypse 200 years before the events of the game, yet humanity continues to survive, and their new reality shapes their lives and their destinies. Megaton was built up around a nuclear bomb. Continuing with this metaphor, despite the nuclear devastation (the bomb), humanity pulled through and went on about their existence the best they could (the town of Megaton). The past can be painful and at times, it seems difficult to picture yourself surviving. The strength you gain from those trials help you going forward. Your life after the obstacles have passed (the town of Megaton) gets a little bit easier and better, thanks to the lessons you learned (the nuclear bomb).
The blood, whatever the reason for it spilling, never changes. It is the loss of life, no matter how noble the cause or evil the person. Families crumble, hearts break, and dreams shatter at the mercy of war. Because, like the human spirit, war never changes. This, even in the face of monumental destruction or colossal adversity, is the blinding light in whatever wasteland we find next. As long as humanity finds the strength to get back up, the sun will still shine in the Capital Wasteland.
The blood, whatever the reason for it spilling, never changes. It is the loss of life, no matter how noble the cause or evil the person. Families crumble, hearts break, and dreams shatter at the mercy of war. Because, like the human spirit, war never changes. This, even in the face of monumental destruction or colossal adversity, is the blinding light in whatever wasteland we find next. As long as humanity finds the strength to get back up, the sun will still shine in the Capital Wasteland.
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