Fallout 76 has brought a delightful blend of new lore to the much-loved Fallout series. Set in the expansive, wild terrain of Appalachia, it introduces players to several compelling elements, from finally making Ghouls playable to unveiling the terrifying Scorched Plague. It cements the game as a key piece of the Fallout universe puzzle. While players brave the eerie Appalachian mountains, it’s the Scorched Plague—a relentless force unleashed by Scorchbeasts under the cruel hand of the Enclave’s Thomas Eckhart—that adds a heart-stopping thrill to the mix.
Once the mutated Scorchbeasts faced radiation, the deadly Scorched Plague emerged, ravaging what’s left of humanity in the area. Despite efforts to control it with a vaccine, the disease still lingers, turning victims into vicious, zombie-like entities that eventually become haunting, petrified statues. This intriguing piece of lore has potential to stretch far beyond the borders of Appalachia.
While Appalachia served as the initial battleground against the Scorched Plague, it’s quite possible the pandemic reached farther than just the locals’ backyard. With Scorchbeasts capable of soaring beyond these lands, it’s logical to suspect the disease spread to other parts of the country. Since Fallout 76 is unique in exploring this storyline, introducing the plague in past settings may cause continuity problems. Yet, should Fallout 5 explore untouched territories, the Scorched Plague could easily rear its head once more.
The Scorched Plague, characterized by symptoms such as ashy-smelling, darkening skin and crystalline lesions, suggests a threat lying in wait for more stories. Fallout has only scratched the surface of America’s vast landscapes, leaving numerous potential scenarios where the Scorched Plague might have spread. The idea of different regions confronting this terror presents a fresh angle, allowing for unique storytelling opportunities in future games.
Though Vault 76 successfully deployed a vaccine, we shouldn’t assume all regions have the same resources. Imagining a Fallout narrative where the disease still rages, forcing survivors to rely on scant resources, opens up thrilling gameplay possibilities. Moreover, embarking on a quest to discover a cure could serve as a significant storyline in forthcoming installments.
With Fallout 5 still years from release, Fallout 76 continues to enrich the series’ lore through constant updates and content drops. Supported by a live-action series, the franchise shows no signs of slowing down. We can only speculate what adventures and stories the next game will bring, but it’s reasonable to expect Fallout 76’s innovations will leave their mark.
As we anticipate what’s next for Fallout, fans can continue to immerse themselves in Fallout 76’s captivating world, now far removed from its rocky start in 2018. Watching how it shapes the future of the franchise promises to be an exciting journey for any die-hard fan.
