History Videogame / Fallout2

* GenerationXerox: The Chosen One's bastard child, which he had with one of the Bishop women, inherits his father's badassery. At the age of thirteen, he takes control over the Bishop crime family, and eventually leads them to victory over the other families in New Reno. Another trait he inherits is a eagerness to explore the Wasteland, and he therefore has a intimate knowledge of the whole Core Region's geography.

* GoingColdTurkey: The only way to heal most addiction (all except Jet) is to go cold turkey for a week, although you get heavy stats penalties for it until cured.

** GotMeDoingIt: {{Hulk Speak}}ing DumbMuscle Torr calls the brahmin (cattle) he guards "moo-moos". The Chosen One agrees to join him and at the end of the conversation says "Let's go and see your moo-moos. I mean, brahmin."

An important note when discussing ''Fallout 2'' is that its rushed development (releasing only a year after the first game) meant that a ''lot'' of intended content was cut or scaled down during development, some of which [[DummiedOut remained in the game files]]. There exists a fan-created mod known as the ''Fallout 2 Restoration Project'' (or ''[=F2RP=]''), which aims to re-create as much of this cut content as possible, basing its work on leaked design documents and WordOfGod. It also includes various bug fixes and compatibility patches that make the game run significantly better on modern machines. The mod can be downloaded from [[http://killap.net/ the creator's website]] or the mod's official [[http://www.nma-fallout.com/showthread.php?202265-Fallout-2-Restoration-Project-2-3-3-(Unofficial-Expansion) No Mutants Allowed thread]]. It should be noted the mod ''also'' includes a large amount of wholly-original writing, new game mechanics never intended for the original release, and gameplay rebalances based on the mod team's personal taste, so ''please'' refrain from treating it as the gospel-true version of the game.

An important note when discussing ''Fallout 2'' is that its rushed development (releasing only a year after the first game) meant that a ''lot'' of intended content was cut or scaled down during development, some of which [[DummiedOut remained in the game files]]. There exists a fan-created mod known as the ''Fallout 2 Restoration Project'' (or ''[=F2RP=]''), which restores the DummiedOut content and re-creates abandoned concepts from early development, basing its work on leaked design documents and WordOfGod. It also includes various bug fixes and compatibility patches that make the game run significantly better on modern machines. The mod can be downloaded from [[http://killap.net/ the creator's website]] or the mod's official [[http://www.nma-fallout.com/showthread.php?202265-Fallout-2-Restoration-Project-2-3-3-(Unofficial-Expansion) No Mutants Allowed thread]]. It should be noted the mod ''also'' includes a large amount of wholly-original content, new game mechanics never intended for the original release, and rebalances gameplay based on the mod team's personal taste, so ''please'' refrain from treating it as the gospel-true version of the game.

An important note when discussing ''Fallout 2'' is that a ''lot'' of content was DummiedOut and/or unfinished for various reasons (thought the vast majority is simply time constraints, the game came out a year after the original after all), including numerous locations, quests, and [=NPCs=]. There exists a fan-created mod known as the ''Fallout 2 Restoration Project'' (or ''[=F2RP=]''), which adds most of this content back to the game and fills in the blanks based on the game's design documents and WordOfGod, making it highly faithful to the developers' original intent. It also includes various bug fixes and compatibility patches that make the game run significantly better on modern machines. The mod can be downloaded from [[http://killap.net/ the creator's website]] or the mod's official [[http://www.nma-fallout.com/showthread.php?202265-Fallout-2-Restoration-Project-2-3-3-(Unofficial-Expansion) No Mutants Allowed thread]]. It should be noted the mod ''also'' changes a handful of game mechanics based on personal decision of the modder and it's [[BrokenBase a very touchy subject within the fandom]].

** There is no a perfect ending for the Broken Hills. Even if the Chosen One uncovers the anti-mutant conspiracy and avert the racial tension between supermutants and humans, the town will be depleted of uranium, [[TerminallyDependentSociety its only source of existence]], sooner or later and Broken Hills will be eventually fully abandoned. But then again, the residents themselves had earned sizeable profits from the uranium in the "best" ending.

* BlindIdiotTranslation: In the French translation, pipe gun has been translated as "fusil à pipe". Pipe in this context refers to a smoking pipe. The correct translation would be "fusil à tuyau". Pipe is also French slang for a blowjob.
** The guy in the lower levels of Vault 8 who sings ''Maybe'' had his song translated. While the translation is good, it cancells the reference.

--->'''Stuart Little''': I've taken in your ridiculously overly-muscled physique, your gritty [[Film/MadMax Mad Maxx]] wanna-be demeanor, your unimaginative character point allocation and concluded you are a mini-maxing {{Munchkin}}. You are nothing more than a typical 'RPG male hero model,' if you will, one of MANY such models that seems to fill this world in droves. But do you see the TRAGEDY here? I have mistakenly reduced you to a stereotype, a caricature, a generic Fallout model, instead of regarding you as a specific, unique character.\\

* ButtDialingMordor: There is a computer in the Gecko power plant that you can use to contact Enclave, the game's BigBad organisation. You have an option of insulting the soldier you're talking to in a number of ways, and if you do, they will send a squadron of PowerArmor-wearing soldiers [[OhCrap after you]]... which never shows up, since that particular encounter was DummiedOut. The Restoration mod reenables it, and if your Speech skill isn't high enough to bullshit your way out, things will get [[ThisIsGonnaSuck messy]].

* CrapsaccharineWorld: Vault City. The first time you see it you'll think you've just stepped into heaven, with its green grass and clean, beautiful buildings. However, it doesn't take much time to see how self-righteous and racist the city's leaders are, and that slavery is openly practiced in it.

** Walkthrough writer Per Jorner points out that the first two Fallout games maybe the only video games ever made that allow the player to hit children in the groin with a sledgehammer.

*** There's also the fact that any given character's ranged skills are [[RealityEnsues lowered at nighttime or in pitch-black caves.]] Not necessarily ''lethal'' in this respect, but far more useful in the early game than many players would suspect.

* GoodIsNotNice[=/=]GoodIsNotSoft:

* GoodIsNotNice:

** There is no a perfect ending for the Broken Hills. Even if the Chosen One uncovers the anti-mutant conspiracy and avert the racial tension between supermutants and humans, the town will be depleted of uranium, [[TerminallyDependentSociety its only source of existence]], sooner or later and Broken Hills will be eventually fully abandoned.

* DummiedOut: Because Creator/BlackIsleStudios ran short of development time, quite a few places and quests were only halfway implemented or completely left out of the game, which leaves a couple of plot threads, such as finding Sulik's sister and exposing the cattle rustlers in Klamath, [[LeftHanging hanging in the wind]]. Fan-made patches, such as the [[http://www.killap.net/fallout2/web/Downloads.html Restoration Project]] (still updates regularly), seek to restore them to a playable state. Still, there are many things even the Restoration Project has yet to explain, such as the "Brotherhood" area in the Oil Rig.

** The .223 pistol[[note]]Which in reality is a cut-down and heavily modified rifle[[/note]] makes a return and is made even ''more'' powerful than it was in original ''Fallout'', by the virtue of .223 FMJ ammo being given an armour-piercing modifier. Combined with the "Weapon Penetrate" item perk, it cause the pistol to virtually ignore any armour the unfortunate target is wearing. And unlike the first game, this time around this isn't an unique weapon anymore and it can be easily bought or accquired from slain criminals roaming southern edges of the map.

* BeefGate: Trying to explore along the coast at anything less than near-endgame levels will have you utterly curbstomped by Enclave patrols, packing a variety of InfinityMinusOneSword armaments. Hanging around other parts of the map before about the mid-game, specifically the southwestern portions, is a good way to be splattered by Super Mutants armed with miniguns and rocket launchers.
** On the other hand, if you [[spoiler:SaveScum a lot, you can wander to the gas station on the coast and end up stealing Enclave power armor right [[DiscOneNuke at the beginning, making yourself ridiculously powerful for most of the game]].]]

* SortingAlgorithmOfEvil: Played straight. In the first few hours in and around Arroyo, the worst you come across is giant rats and giant ants. Klamath steps it up a bit with its quests and random encounters having you fight radscorpions and giant geckos, but still not too challenging and mere wild animals. You might get an easily avoidable random encounter with muggers armed with melee weapons, but that's it. The next town, the Den, will probably have you fighting your first human enemies on the way there, in the form of raiders with pistols. Upon arriving you are introduced to the first major antagonist group, Metzger's slavers, and will see your first human vs. human battle if you haven't already with nearly everyone having pistols or [=SMGs=]. It's made clear that Metzger is small time compared to the ruling families of New Reno, the next town, who you may come into conflict with as part of various quests; piss off the Salvatores in New Reno and your ass will get lasered. Redding is light and friendly, but the Sierra Army Depot nearby has various battle robots far above anything you've fought at that point. NCR and Vault City both have well-armed guards in combat armor, and Broken Hills has the same plus Super Mutants, but like Redding, they're not villainous. Nearby, the raider hideout and Vault 15 are full of raiders in leather armor and boasting pistols and hunting rifles but three of them has combat armor and assault rifles, overall similar armament and size to most of the single families of New Reno, albeit not as much 'soft power' over the region. Marisopa, the next big collection of enemies, is where things get truly high-level as a small army of newly-created Super Mutants is present and heavily armed with rocket launchers, miniguns, flamethrowers, and so on. San Francisco is another friendly settlement but nearby Navarro, the Enclave's base on the mainland, will see your first introduction to the OmnicidalManiac main antagonists with their generic troopers (who you can encounter randomly while traveling near the base) all boasting heavy weapons (usually energy weapons), very high stats, and PoweredArmor that is effectively the ArmorOfInvincibility. Finally, when you get into the [[TheVeryDefinitelyFinalDungeon Oil Rig,]] you meet the BigBad behind the whole mess and face not only larger numbers of the aforementioned super EliteMooks, but also their robotic defenses and TheDragon, who is basically a walking tank. At 15 feet tall and with 999 hit points he would be absurdly dangerous even if he ''wasn't'' [[LightningBruiser extremely fast]] and ''wasn't'' clad in his own ArmorOfInvincibility that laughs off anything short of anti-tank weaponry... to say nothing of his {{BFG}} that deals more damage per shot than the plasma cannon you use and fires ''automatically.''

* WorthlessCurrency: Bottle caps have been replaced by the NCR gold dollar, but there's still a quest where you find a bag of 1000 caps. Though by the time the series returns to the Western states in ''VideoGame/FalloutNewVegas'' the NCR's gold reserves have been destroyed and caps have become the wasteland's currency of choice again.

* WorthlessCurrency: Bottle caps have been replaced by the NCR gold dollar, but there's still a quest where you find a bag of 1000 caps.

* TwoShotsFromBehindTheBar: Cassidy the bartender starts out with a double-barrel SawedOffShotgun when you recruit him. The Salvator bartender also has one, despite the rest of the gang being equipped with [[FrickinLaserBeams Laser Pistols]].

* GuideDangIt: One of the more obscure things you can do is get Lynette to declare the new head of security in Vault City after you resolve their problems with Gecko. This is determined by an invisible respect value she has, which you can raise by picking polite responses in her dialogue. However, you are unlikely to raise it high enough from the conversations you would normally have, and you need to run through a dialogue loop a number of times to deliberately raise it.

* SaveScumming: Like the first game, you can save at the beginning of your turn in combat. This means that you can, if you'd like, take on enemies that are really beyond what you should be able to fight by carefully saving and loading until you get favorable results each round. For example, a character with a weak Unarmed build can still become a boxing champion by making a GroinAttack until you get a crit result that knocks your opponent unconscious.

* AdamSmithHatesYourGuts: In the early game, a player with low charisma will be charged exorbitant amounts by shopkeepers and get paid little for commodities they sell.

%%* ForcedTutorial: The Temple of Trials.

* SequelDifficultySpike: So, so much, at least when it comes to combat. Even the simplest guns and armor are much harder to get in this game than in ''Fallout 1'', and your shooting accuracy will be much lower than what you would have in the previous game with exactly the same stats.
** Example: In ''Fallout 1'', you were given a 10mm pistol right when you left the vault. In this game, you can't get one until the ''third'' town, unless you got really lucky with a random merchant inventory and a had a lot of money. (Although you can find one on a corpse during a side quest in the first town.) The [[ForcedTutorial Temple of Trials]] also skips over the easily killed rats from the beginning of the last game and instead throws giant ants and lesser scorpions at you instead, along with being forced into an unarmed duel at the end of the dungeon (woe be unto you if your character isn't good at unarmed combat right out of the gate, nor is geared towards stealth and theft or diplomacy.)
*** In another sidequest in the first real town, you will encounter a locked door, and a damaged generator. If you can fix the generator, and unlock the door... You will find a security robot with a semi auto missile launcher. If you survive, there is a [[GameBreaker Bozar,]] Plasma pistol, Laser pistol, and combat armor MK 2. Sending you through a sequence of hell fit for this trope, and thoroughly averting it for most of the game.[[note]]However, the unpatched game did not contain much of anything.[[/note]]
** Also, economically. Slain enemies almost never drop their armor anymore, which you could sell for thousands back in ''Fallout 1''.
** If the Restoration Project mod is any indication, the beginning was meant to be ''even harder'', with a higher encounter rate and a RecurringBoss that starts attacking you as soon as you leave Arroyo.

* MagikarpPower: Vic is acclaimed as a [[JokeCharacter totally useless character]] both in and out of universe. It goes so far that your character starting Repair skill tends to be higher than his when you first meet and he's supposed to be your team mechanic... but he can level-up six times, have 12 Action Points (read - two shots per turn) ''and'' can use rifles and energy weapons, which he can effectively use just after two level-ups. By comparison, resident badass Cassidy gets 10 Action Points on his final level, giving him only one shot per turn and his Small Guns skill is considerably lower. It's debatable how much this truly applies to Vic, though, since even at low level when his repair skills are poor he's still very effective in combat if you can give him a hunting rifle or similar gun.

%%* FiveManBand: Your party can be one with sufficiently high Charisma.
%%** TheHero: The main character, of course.
%%** TheLancer: Vic or Cassidy.
%%** TheSmartGuy: Lenny, Myron, even [[GeniusBruiser Goris]].
%%** TheBigGuy: Sulik or Marcus.
%%** TheChick: Miria or Davin.
%%** [[SixthRanger The Sixth Ranger]]: Any of the late-game party members (Goris, Skynet).
%%** TeamPet: Dogmeat (SeriesMascot of course), K-9, Robodog, and Pariah Dog (though [[TheJinx the latter]] you ''don't'' want to get)

* FiveManBand: Your party can be one with sufficiently high Charisma.
** TheHero: The main character, of course.
** TheLancer: Vic or Cassidy.
** TheSmartGuy: Lenny, Myron, even [[GeniusBruiser Goris]].
** TheBigGuy: Sulik or Marcus.
** TheChick: Miria or Davin.
** [[SixthRanger The Sixth Ranger]]: Any of the late-game party members (Goris, Skynet).
** TeamPet: Dogmeat (SeriesMascot of course), K-9, Robodog, and Pariah Dog (though [[TheJinx the latter]] you ''don't'' want to get)
* ForcedTutorial: The Temple of Trials.

* ItsAWonderfulFailure: If you were to die during your adventure, sometimes the [[Creator/RonPerlman narrator]] will describe how your village withered away without the G.E.C.K.
** It's even worse in the last part of the game. [[spoiler: If you were to lose against [[BigBad the Enclave]], during the game over screen, the narrator describes that with you out of the picture, the Enclave released the FEV virus into the earth's atmosphere and thus successfully wiping out what was left of the human race other than the Enclave themselves.]]

* ItWasHisSled: Modern websites that sell the game have taken to using spoilerific screenshots for promotion. A screenshot on GOG.com shows how Vault 13 [[spoiler:has been taken over by intelligent Deathclaws]]. They also show a screenshot of Frank Horrigan, but at least without context.

* ItWasHidSled: Modern websites that sell the game have taken to using spoilerific screenshots for promotion. A screenshot on GOG.com shows how Vault 13 [[spoiler:has been taken over by intelligent Deathclaws]]. They also show a screenshot of Frank Horrigan, but at least without context.

** Stopping Modoc from attacking the Slags has to be done within 31 days. Even if you haul ass as fast as you can, you'll only have about 4 days to spare by the time you finish, unless you skipped over the main Modoc quest to get the car first... [[CuttingTheKnot Or happened to accidentally find the right person and asked him the right question beforehand]], by proving he's alive and on the run instead of being a causality in the case. [[spoiler:It's Karl, the unhelpful drunkard slogging the days away in Mom's Diner at The Den.]]