Same old dust

While the story and game world throw a whopping 80 years between the first Fallout and its successor, only one year separated the releases of the two classic role-playing games in 1998. Consequently, radical changes should not be expected. However, according to Metacritic, fans and critics naturally have differing opinions on which of the two games was better. As for me, I refrain from passing judgment, as I have never touched either of them.

The score

I won't name a favorite on the soundtrack front either, as composer Mark Morgan took the easy route and recycled over half of the tracks for Fallout 2. As a result, the amount of new pieces shrinks down to a meagre eight which continue the familiar motif from the first part – at least mostly.

Other entries in the Fallout -series

Soundtrack

Fallout (1997)

Soundtrack

Fallout 2 (1998)

Zwar dürfen wir erneut keine akustische Offenbarung erwarten, transportiert der Score doch das Gefühl der Ödnis, Verlassenheit und Weite einer postapokalyptischen Endzeit. Allerdings scheint sich die Menschheit innerhalb der 80 Jahren technologisch und urban weiterentwickelt zu haben, dass wir in Stücken wie Biggest Little City in the WorldMark Morgan3 and All-Clear SignalMark Morgan3 Größe und Metropolenstimmung serviert bekommen. Die fast schon Steampunk-esque Soundkulisse aus Synthies und Beats wirkt gleichermaßen bedrohlich wie düster, schafft dadurch aber einen schönen Kontrast zum primitiven Einerlei der restlichen Stücke.

Beyond the CanyonMark Morgan2 sounds spacey with its vocals, almost like a spin-off of earlier Civilization-games. Dream TownMark Morgan1 , meanwhile, lives up to its name and is a snore, while the electric guitar riffs in My Chrysalis HighwaymanMark Morgan3 and Gold SlouchMark Morgan2 create a Western atmosphere. In terms of rating, Fallout 2 comes off better than its predecessor, but not necessarily because of the style, but rather the somewhat more exciting setting – at least musically.