One of the most important concepts of Fallout lore that is constantly challenged by some fans is the unknown fate of the rest of the world. This may not seem quite like lore, however, it plays a large part in the series. Ever since the first Fallout, the nuclear war that broke out was described where "entire continents sank." Fallout 3 was the first game in the series which mentions the existence of communities outside the actual states, but even then, those communities were in a commonwealth (most likely referring to the annexed Canada), Commonwealths being owned by the US. In Fallout: New Vegas, the life story of Raul (A ghoul companion trapped in Black Mountain) reveals that there were survivors in Mexico as well. It must be noted, however, that he does not specify whether Mexico was one of the 13 commonwealths of the US (If you were wondering why the old world flag had 13 stars on it, that's why). Whether or not Mexico was a commonwealth when the bombs fell is debatable, and as such, it may very well be proof that life exists in other countries. Putting the setting of a Fallout game in a commonwealth, such as Canada, would not prove too destructive to lore or to gameplay. After all, is it possible that the super-mutants(*erm, Meta Humans [sorry Fawkes]) of DC or some other unknown vault could have spread to Canada? Absolutely, as seen in Fallout: New Vegas where many Mutants who once served the Master in California now live in Nevada. In the years between the annexation of Canada and the fall of the bombs, is it possible that Vault-Tec could have quickly constructed a few new vaults in the region? Once again, this is possible as Vaults typically had a short build time despite their enormous size. Now let's look at another country entirely. First, it must be noted that Vault-Tec is an American company created to use the fear of American citizens to gain profit as well as to help the government perform social, psychological, and physical tests on its citizens. It is thanks to Vault-Tec that the Brotherhood of Steel exists, as well as Super-Mutants, possibly the Enclave, groups such as the Khans/New Khans/Great Khans, etc, etc. It becomes obvious that Fallout lore was almost entirely created with the help of Vault-Tec. Going now to China, England, or wherever, there is no Vault-Tec. Thus, no Brotherhood of Steel (I'm not necessarily complaining about that...), no Super-Mutants, no Enclave (regardless of whether or not they came from vaults, there would not be an enclave elsewhere.), etc. The lore of the game would be lost and a defining factor that makes Fallout unique would be gone. To introduce things similar would also ruin the game and appear unoriginal for the location. After all, different countries have different ideals and ways to solve problems. But even if they could figure out an original method for going about this, it would no longer be a Fallout game, but something else. Cannon Series depend on each game to build up on existing lore.

Let's face it, the system works great in the newest member to TES, but it simply won't work in the world of Fallout. One race might miss out on content that the other race gets full access too, making gameplay favor a certain race, regardless of how the game devs decide to balance it. For example, ghouls aren't harmed by radiation, but are healed instead. That means that irradiated dungeons that are meant to be a challenge prove to be quite easy and simple. Areas with excessive amounts of radiation where no human could survive open their doors to all ghouls, complete with any special loot hidden there as well. Suddenly making your trip to Vault 87 become much less interesting and easier, as you no longer have to worry about convincing a bunch of little kids to let a mungo in, let alone help some children escape Paradise Falls, a heavily armored slaver town. If you also recall, Super-Mutants don't normally attack Ghouls. Even Tabitha didn't have Raul killed, and she advocated the death of any human that makes their presence in Black Mountain. As for making a Super-Mutant, they too are immune to radiation. They are also immune to poison. Being a Super-Mutant would affect your special stats too, as they have naturally higher strength and endurance, and depending on location or generation, low intelligence. East coast Super-Mutants from Vault 87 are less intelligent than their west coast Mariposa counterparts. Furthermore, Second Gen mutants are much less intelligent than their First Gen counterparts. Even many First Gens aren't entirely intelligent. Being that Mutants tend to stick together, being a Super-Mutant means that you don't have to worry about one of the most iconic enemies of Fallout: the Super-Mutant (surprise surprise...).

To be honest, I might not mean this in the expected, traditional way. I just can't quite think of a way to describe it in one simple sentence. Let me start out by saying, I prefer Fallout 3 over Fallout: New Vegas any day. In my opinion, Fallout: New Vegas doesn't feel right and the player seems entirely unattached to the story of the game. It is as if the game and the NPCs simply tell you what to do and you have no reason or incentive to do so. Half the main story is to chase after the guy that shot you. But why should you? The game never bothers attaching any emotion to it at all but makes the whole thing casual. After all, Benny himself admitted that it was nothing personal. The other half of the main story you help a faction take control of the Mojave, a concept too many people quickly drool over before thinking to ask the important questions. What does will this faction do for the future of New Vegas? Even if they do bother to ask that question, there is still no emotional attachment to any particular group, nor is there true reason to do the faction quests. The NCR is corrupt and spread thin. The Legion is crime-free, but also lacks any freedom. Mr. House is simply out for his own benefits, and going independent is not only the easy way out, but the least satisfying as New Vegas changes little from the endeavor. All the while, in each faction, there is some figure higher than you barking orders at you. The game simply tells you what to do. In Fallout 3, there is reason to do the main quest. There is emotional attachment, after all, your father just unexpectedly ditched you and now the vault's overseer has gone mad and wishes to kill you as you are technically an outsider and he doesn't trust you. When you finally find your father, you learn that he left to better help the entire Capital Wasteland and asks that you help him. Your father's undeserving death at the hands of the Enclave gives reason and purpose to complete Project Purity and destroy the Enclave. There is reason, there is emotion, there is attachment. Despite the fact that the story can be considered fairly linear, it still succeeds in drawing the player into the action. I've spent over 400 hours on one character in Fallout 3, as opposed to my barely 100 hour level 50 in New Vegas. I will yield that the New Vegas side quests were a bit better than Fallout 3, but they simply weren't enough to keep me attached to the game. Attachment is essential for a good game to become a great game.

Because that makes it twice as far from Fallout 2.