Fallout Season 2 4K Review: The Wasteland Has Never Looked Better

The odds were stacked against Fallout from the outset, but just like Lucy MacLean (Ella Purnell), the series came out on top despite the countless hurdles that stood in its way. Video game adaptations have a rocky reputation at best, and even the ones that are initially beloved can face the sudden backlash of an angry internet (remember how people turned on The Last of Us?). But Fallout has proven itself as the exception to the rule, standing alongside the likes of Exit 8 as one of the best video game adaptations ever made.

Why Fallout Season 2 matters

The retro/futuristic aesthetic, combined with the myriad of old-school music, makes Fallout a unique and infinitely engaging adaptation. In season 2, the story of Lucy, Maximus, and The Ghoul (Walton Goggins, The White Lotus) continues as they make mostly separate, but ultimately similar, journeys through the wasteland of New Vegas in search of answers.

The mishmash of light-hearted fun and gruesome violence is difficult to master, but Fallout season 2 has it perfectly dialed in. It’s vibrant and visually stunning while casually depicting scenes of extreme depravity. The relationship between Lucy and The Ghoul is a perfect example, with Lucy serving as the ultimate good and The Ghoul serving as a callous murderer. The two should clash (and they do plenty), but the back-and-forth chemistry between Purnell and Goggins is fantastic.

The decision not to directly adapt the storyline of a single game in the franchise was a smart one. Instead, we get an original story with original characters set within the canon of the games. Fans of the games will have plenty to recognize and can feel satisfied that the spirit of the beloved franchise was captured in the series, and newcomers can delve right in without feeling lost or overwhelmed by the lore.

Video quality

The 2160p Ultra High Definition presentation looks fantastic. It delivers a sharp and richly detailed image that perfectly captures the retro-futuristic wasteland aesthetic of Fallout Season 2. The increased resolution allows the production design to shine, from the rusted remains of civilization to the grime-covered armor, practical makeup effects, and weathered costumes that make the world feel lived in and tangible. Color grading is especially impressive throughout the season, balancing the series’ bright Vault-Tec-inspired retro palette against the harsh deserts and destroyed ruins of the wasteland.

Audio quality

The Dolby Atmos TrueHD mix treats the wasteland like the chaotic playground it is. Instead of a muddy wall of sound, the soundstage is meticulously separated—you’ll hear individual shell casings clinking off the concrete in your left surround speaker while the low-end bass of a Vertibird engine rattles your floorboards. The sound is especially important considering the heavy use of music.

Packaging and presentation

The 4K release comes housed in a sturdy slipcovered case featuring the promotional artwork from the series rather than newly commissioned artwork. The cover art is a standard, stacked cast of characters, showcasing the wide variety of important figures within the story. It’s bright and vibrant despite the “end-of-the-world” subject matter, just like the series.

Does it have a slipcover? Yes

Does it feature original artwork? No

Does it include a digital copy? No

Special features

• Commentary: Inside Episode 8 – “The Strip” with Kyle MacLachlan and Aaron Moten
• Welcome Back to the Wasteland New Vegas
• Fallout: Fake Talk Show
• RobCo Animated Series
• Fallout: The Ghoul Log

The 4K release features a fun stack of supplemental features designed to showcase the fun nature of the series while adding layers of immersion to the wasteland world of the show. The inclusion of the RobCo animated series is an especially fun inclusion.

Is it worth buying on 4K?

Absolutely. Fallout is easily one of the greatest video game adaptations in existence, and season 2 ups the ante in scope and scale. It’s a fantastic continuation of the story that’s satisfying, while also leaving audiences itching to see what comes next. Fallout may have been one of the weaker houses at Halloween Horror Nights, but it’s one of the best series streaming on television.

Is it worth a blind purchase? Obviously, you’ll need to have watched the first season, but outside of that stipulation, this is a guaranteed good time.

Purchase your copy of Fallout: Complete Second Season on 4K here.