I say Hawaii. Specifically Oahu. Hawaii is the most militarized area per square mile in the entire United States with countless hidden bunkers throughout it. It definitely would have been hit by nuclear missiles though. The only organized survivors would likely be military and science related. Hunked down in bunkers. The rest could be Vault remnants.
There could be radioactive saltwater eroding at the foundation of Vaults and mutating the residents. There are tons of ways that you could find high tech things as there are many different research facilities and military facilities. There was once a lot of chemical weapon research going on in Hawaii.
Besides the backdrop could be a true paradise lost 50's styled setting with all the tourist and hotel things just left in disarray. Freaky palm trees swaying in the wind. The thousands of unique and isolated species could mutate into all kinds of things. There is a very odd cave spiderthat looks mother effing scary. The introduced species like Mongeese could become massive freak monsters similar to death claws. Chickens could become weird monsters as well. There are tons of cattle here so Brahmin could pop up. Boars as well. Many lizards as well. Maybe FEV experiments on Sharks. Octopi as well. Squid and whales. Zoos unleashing horrifying monsters that evolve like tigers mutants and such. There could be all sorts of things really. Would be a very dynamic game in a place like that. DLC could bring you to other islands.
Stuff like that. Thoughts?
Sounds dope, I'd have like islander tribal factions and since they are secluded they could have a bunch of different factions vying for control of the islands and whatever is left of the resources. Factions of headhunters, shamans, assassin ninjas, samurais, surfers, bounty hunters/cowboys. The seclusion on the island does bring a sense of hopelessness though.
I feel like it would have too much underwater quests, that would be a problem for me as I try to avoid anything and everything having to do with water due to trauma and all. Doesn't matter which game, the rebreather did ease things up for me a little bit but I avoid water at all costs.
So I don't really know how to feel about that aspect.
Otherwise I love the 50's paradise setting, mix in some casinos and skyscraqer dungeons, island hopping on ferry's, and especially the jungle wasteland terrain. Vehicles as well incorporated to the mix with a bigger map of course… DLC's could fly us to the NCR occupied California and Tokyo, other islands, etc etc. Let's also not forget about typhoons and volcanic eruptions.
I'd want to have a house on the beach with a beautiful wife and stuff while I go and fight for the island and its people.
I'd like to see New York done, but that city deserves the next gen consoles tbh. Hawaii sounds peaceful, serene yet a feeling of horrifying claustrophobia washes over me at the same time.
And my gawd, the sunset would be so cash.