29 Years Later, One Fallout Line Is Gaming’s Most Chilling Quote

The Fallout franchise has very much become known for its iconic moments, lines, characters and locations over the years, all of which helped to build the complex tapestry of the game’s world. They explain why humanity has got to where it is, a fragmented shell of its former self, scraping out a life in the apocalyptic wastes.

As bleak as all of that is, it really is that rich lore and universe that gives the series its unique charm, and which has embedded it into the cultural canon of so many. That said, there is one line in particular that retains its position at the top of the tree, and there’s a strong argument to say that it could be one of the most important lines in gaming history.

You Already Know What Fallout Quote It Is

War. War never changes. Ever since those words were first spoken in the original 1997 Fallout release (by Ron Perlman, no less) they have remained a near-permanent fixture in the franchise as a whole. They have been given a prominent role in the introduction to several series entries, and it’s now difficult to imagine Fallout without associating the two.

To get the myth out of the way, no, the quote doesn’t originally come from Ulysses S. Grant. It was written by lead designer Tim Cain before being handed off to Perlman for narration, and that very much leaves it as an original creation of the games.

When we first hear it, the backing video takes us through thousands of years of human conflict, from the Romans, all the way up to WW2. The obvious reference point here is that they are trying to say that human nature will always come home to roost, and we will continue fighting each other no matter how critical it is that we work together.

Moving into the later games, New Vegas is probably the most stark example. It’s used in the establishing introduction once again, as we learn more about the NCR, Caesar’s Legion, and the near-inevitable conflict to come. The line is particularly interesting here because it’s pointing out that, as soon as the green shoots of recovery start to show for humanity after the nuclear apocalypse, we immediately start fighting for dominion over the scraps.

In Fallout 4, it’s actually the player character who says it for the first time, showing that it plays some role in the game universe itself, rather than being outside commentary. As a veteran themselves, you can see why 4′s protagonist would say it, but it’s interesting to know that it’s officially part of the lore.

There’s A Reason We Hear It In Every Fallout Game

The really spectacular thing about the quote is that it is essentially saying two things at once, and that’s the reason we hear it in near-enough every Fallout game. Yes, humans will remain fundamentally the same and continue to fight no matter how bleak things get, but at the same time, war very much does change technologically.

That’s why technological elements like cold fusion play such a big part in the show, because the fact that war changes means we are simply getting better and better at killing each other. If Fallout is designed to warn us about one thing, its how futile endless conflict is, and that is why the line is such a crucial part of the overall tapestry.

Created by

Tim Cain, Leonard Boyarsky

First TV Show

Fallout

First Episode Air Date

April 10, 2024

Cast

Ella Purnell, Aaron Moten, Kyle MacLachlan, Moises Arias, Xelia Mendes-Jones, Walton Goggins

Where to watch

Amazon Prime Video

TV Show(s)

Fallout

Fallout is a post-apocalyptic RPG franchise set in an alternate future where a nuclear war devastates the world. Players explore vast, open worlds filled with mutants, raiders, and advanced technology. The series emphasizes player choice, allowing various approaches to combat, dialogue, and decision-making. Each game follows different protagonists navigating the wasteland to uncover secrets, form alliances, and rebuild civilization amidst the ruins of the old world. The franchise is known for its rich lore, dark humor, and retro-futuristic aesthetic, which has transferred over into its new series on Amazon Prime.