As a big fan of video games and Fallout, my reaction to the announcement of an Amazon series based on Bethesda's dystopian RPG was a mix of skepticism and excitement. While there have been some brilliant adaptations in recent years like The Last of Us, Arcane, and even The Super Mario Bros Movie, as a lifelong gamer, I've learned to approach such projects with caution due to previous terrible adaptations like Assassin's Creed, Warcraft, or Far Cry.

Fortunately, we can now use Fallout as another positive example! Fallout is as enjoyable as a TV show as it is on the console. In the series, we follow Lucy (Ella Purnell), Maximus (Aaron Moten), and The Ghoul (Walton Goggins) — three characters who couldn't be more different at first glance. Lucy, who has spent her entire life in the safety of her home Vault 32, sets out to find her kidnapped father (Kyle MacLachlan) and thus ventures into the dangers of the wastelands. The Ghoul, an expert of the wastelands, is a mutated figure whose past sheds light on the origins of the apocalypse. The final main character of the series is Maximus, who is a member of the Brotherhood — a group of men dedicated to guarding technological progress and regulating its use. All three main characters are well-utilized in the series, but I particularly enjoyed Lucy and her journey through the wasteland. Initially somewhat naive but always lovable and optimistic, she learns over time that life on the surface is very different from what she's used to in the Vault.

One aspect that the series perfectly reflects from the game is its absurdity and the sometimes brutal violence. Severed body parts, headless humans, and repulsive creatures are part of the Fallout world and are faithfully portrayed here. 

While we see Lucy and the other two characters almost constantly in the surface world, we also see another storyline involving Lucy's brother, Norman (Moises Arias), who remained in Vault 32 and now faces internal political problems while trying to uncover the truth about the vaults. This storyline serves as a good breather after the action and intensity of the wastelands while still being engaging and interesting in its own right.

Though Fallout is certainly a lot of fun for fans of the gaming series and gamers in general, I can't help but wonder if it would be as enjoyable for someone who has no connection to the source material. Fallout is wild, quirky, and sometimes a bit obscene — something that's not everyone's cup of tea. However, this series is enjoyable on a technical level, with gorgeous visuals, a solid score, and unobtrusive but solid VFX. The script is also surprisingly well-written; turning a role-playing game like Fallout into a show is no easy task, but the crew behind the show succeeds in creating a believable world with solid characters that are fun to watch. In terms of performances, Ella Purnell as Lucy and Walton Goggins as The Ghoul clearly stand out, with both shining in their roles. I'm hopeful for a second season to continue Lucy's character journey; her charismatic character promises much joy in the future. 

The show's main issues lie in its sluggish beginning and its storyline that deals with the beginning of the apocalypse. Furthermore, while the performances of Moises Arias (Norman) and Leslie Uggams (Betty) are fine, they pale in comparison to the rest of the cast. My final criticism is that the danger and unpredictability of the wastelands from the game are often missing. In the game, it's a constant threat to roam around there, but this is only partially depicted in the show. In fact, we frequently see characters wandering around without the fear of danger.

Despite these criticisms, I can only warmly recommend the series. It's a fun adaptation with some room for improvement, but it nevertheless leaves you wanting more from this world. Good job, Amazon. I look forward to more seasons in the Wasteland.

8/10