Yes, I’m slow, sorry!
Now this may very well be excessive expectations. I had heard a few people say it’s this year’s Andor. IE, you should just watch it even if it’s not the sort of thing you think you’d be into. Also, I’ve never played the games
I’ve just finished the first 2 episodes, and, for me, it’s not bad, it’s a kinda interesting world … but there’s a distinctly empty feeling and awkwardness to the show for me. Sometimes scenes feel like they’re either filling time or still trying to find their rhythm. I’m not sure any of the dialogue has caught my ear (at all). I’m not sure I’ve picked up on any interesting stakes or mysteries. And I’ve often wondered about the directing (where I can’t help but wonder if Jonathan Nolan’s directing is more about trying to compete with his brother).
The soft tipping point for me was the Knight’s fight with the Ghoul (episode 2) … it just felt pointless and childish. The whole scene seemed to strangely lack any gravity or impetus. And I find myself ~2.5 hrs in and not caring about anything that’s happening. It’s a post nuclear apocalypse world, with some mutants, a naive bunker person, and a manipulative corporation or two doing sneaky shit …
… dunno … what am I missing? Should I just keep watching?
There’s a lot of world-building going on in the first 2-3 episodes, and story lines start slowly drawing together after that point. It doesn’t really come together until the final episode, and that is something that’s clearly leaving a lot of room for a second season.
Yes, it helps if you understand the context that it’s all taking place in; playing the games (particularly 3, New Vegas, and 4) is very helpful to knowing some of the context that isn’t stated explicitly, but not strictly necessary.
Despite having a ton of action and violence, the plot is a fairly slow burn, and takes a while to get to the critical parts where everything really comes together. Things seem straightforward, until you realize that they aren’t.
Thing is, I’ve played most of the games, and I feel no connection to the characters, feel no reason to continue even after the first episode and I could barely get through that.
It’s all melodrama, nothing more, sadly.
I don’t see how someone who’s never played the games would find even the first episode intruiging enough to watch more.
You should watch till like the 4th episode I’d say. There is a lot happening that doesn’t have context until a bit later one. It’s an excellent story, but it is a slow burn.
I’ve never played any of the games
Thanks for this! I’ll watch until the 4th episode!
There should be a mechanism for the poster to appoint a comment as the “answer” to a question
Things seem straightforward, until you realize that they aren’t.
Cheers! This makes sense.
I’ve played the games, and really enjoyed the show; but I’ll admit it took a bit of time to find its path.
The thing about Fallout is that it’s deadpan tongue-in-cheek, which is hard to pull off. They got there in time.
And if you don’t start to get into it after a few more episodes, don’t sweat it.
Cheers! This makes sense and what I was wondering! It had real “finding its feet” vibes, where I can see it tightening up.
I do wonder if Jon Nolan’s directing is a factor here (he directed the first 3 eps).
Everyone I know who enjoyed it also played the games and was onboard by like halfway through the first episode. You probably just don’t get it without the added context of the aesthetics and humor of the games.
i loved the show and didn’t play the games….
well, i played the free vault overseer mobile one…
I love the games (haven’t played 76, but the rest are great). I watched the first 3 episodes and thought they connected well with the games thematically, but I never cared enough to continue. Every now and then I think I should get back to it, but I always have something that interests me more, including just scrolling Lemmy. To be fair, I don’t really enjoy watching TV or movies that much though.
I agree on the emptiness. I also felt like they were trying too hard with a lot of scenes, and I had a hard time relating to the characters. However, it got more interesting as the story and the world open up more.
Having played the games, and having liked them, the series was a welcome and fitting extension of the existing narrative. It fits so well into the universe, that you will happily forgive any shortcomings, just to get this pleasant enrichment to prior experiences. Watching the show is almost like you’re back in the wasteland yourself, discovering it all over again.
It does not feel like a cheap abuse of a brand you associate with a good time. That alone is worth a lot.
I also felt like the HDR video and Atmos audio are well done and contribute to the impact of the show, as available of course.
There were twists in the story I did not anticipate. Maybe it’s just my interpretation, but the way the series tells its story felt overly video game like. You always follow the protagonists closely on their linear progress through their active quest, and the breaks in that progress feel so clearly like side quests. I couldn’t put my finger on it, but I felt that was well done.
After all, it is a series that builds on existing material, which is video games. The way they implemented it is highly consistent with your prior experience and people appreciate that greatly.