Groovy Games

Duck and Cover

To paraphrase the character played by John Lithgow in The Day After, who was, in turn, quoting Albert Einstein:

"I don't know how World War III will be fought. But I do know how World War IV will be fought - with sticks and stones."

The desolate imagery and desperate sense of hopelessness in the face of unimaginable tragedy make Fallout a difficult game to finish (especially for a Day After Kid), but it is precisely the ending of this game that makes every moment of pain and frustration worthwhile. Watching the Fallout's ending cut-scene rendered me utterly speechless. I literally could not summon the words or thoughts to describe my emotions. I had experienced this sensation only once before, on November 20th, 1983.

As the final Fallout credit rolled up the monitor, and the screen turned black, I slowly regained control of my faculties. I got up from my chair, stumbled out into the garden and stood silently for the remainder of the afternoon, listening to the sound of the world and contemplating my existence. I felt an almost indescribable sense of calm. I'd been Gordon Freeman, saving the world with a crowbar. I'd been the nameless secret agent, cart-wheeling my way through the laser beams. I'd been the Road Warrior, refusing to just walk away, and saving the juice for all mankind. Now, finally, I was the Vault Dweller, kicking ass and chewing bubblegum in my blue jumpsuit. I'd finally gotten my chance to experience the challenge of surviving in the radioactive maelstrom of post-nuclear America, and had not only survived - I'd conquered. It was, as ridiculous as this may sound, the first time in my life that I felt completely sure of who I was, and of what I was capable.

Russ Pitts is the former Head Writer for The Screen Savers on TechTV. His blog can be found at www.falsegravity.com