For decades, the Fallout franchise has been inextricably linked to “Americana”—the white-picket-fence optimism of the 1950s twisted into a radioactive nightmare. When Team FOLON announced Fallout: London, a total conversion mod for Fallout 4, the gaming world was skeptical. Could the series survive a “transatlantic flight” without the Brotherhood of Steel, Super Mutants, or Vault-Tec?
Now that the dust has settled on its late 2024 release, the answer is a resounding “yes.” Fallout: London isn’t just a mod; it is a sprawling, 90-hour masterclass in world-building that often outshines its official predecessor in terms of atmosphere, writing, and creative risk.
Sanctuary in the Smoke
The first thing you notice in Fallout: London is the sheer density of the environment. While Fallout 4’s Boston felt like a series of combat arenas connected by empty space, London feels like a lived-in “urban jungle.” From the soot-stained bricks of the East End to the oppressive, high-walled grandeur of Westminster, the map is roughly the size of the original Commonwealth plus the Far Harbor DLC.
The aesthetic shift is brilliant. Instead of the 1950s Googie architecture of the US, we get a retro-futuristic “Protect and Survive” aesthetic rooted in British history. You aren’t checking a Pip-Boy; you’re using an Atta-Boy, a chunky, handheld device that feels appropriately “makeshift British.” The currency isn’t caps, but old train tickets. These small changes go a long way in making you feel like a stranger in a strange land.
Factions and the “New” Old World
Without the Enclave or the NCR, Team FOLON had to invent an entirely new political landscape, and they delivered. The power struggle in London is sophisticated and morally grey:
- The Gentry: Descendants of the pre-war aristocracy who rule from Westminster. They are snooty, resourceful, and deeply classist.
- The Tommies: A volunteer militia serving the Gentry, styled after WWI soldiers. They represent the “thin blue line” of a crumbling city.
- Camelot: A resistance movement looking to bring back a romanticized version of Arthurian democracy.
- The 5th Column: A populist, revolutionary movement with a dark, authoritarian streak.
The writing for these groups is sharp, leaning into British cultural tropes without becoming caricatures. Watching a robotic Speaker of the House (voiced by former UK Speaker John Bercow) presiding over a post-nuclear Parliament is a highlight that perfectly captures the “Fallout” brand of dark humor.
Gameplay: Leaner, Meaner, and More Melee
The mod makes significant changes to the Fallout 4 engine. Most notably, Power Armor is gone (rightfully so, as it was an American military secret). This immediately raises the stakes of every encounter. Firearms are also much rarer in the early game. You will spend your first few hours clobbering “Hooligans” with cricket bats and kitchen knives, making the eventual discovery of a working 9mm pistol feel like a legendary achievement.
The addition of traits (like the “Numbskull” trait for low-intelligence builds) brings back the role-playing depth that many felt was missing from Fallout 4. Your choices matter, your stats are checked in dialogue, and the absence of a voiced protagonist allows for a more traditional, branching narrative experience.
The Technical “Elephant in the Room”
It would be dishonest to review Fallout: London without mentioning its stability. Because it is a massive mod built on an aging engine, it is prone to crashes (CTDs) and script errors.
The “Next-Gen” update for Fallout 4 initially broke the mod, requiring players to downgrade their game version to play. However, several patches and a partnership with GOG have smoothed out many of these wrinkles. While it still requires a bit of patience and frequent saving, the experience is more than worth the occasional technical hiccup.
Verdict: A Must-Play for Fallout Fans
Fallout: London is a triumph of community passion. It proves that the “Fallout” identity is more than just Vault-Tec logos and 1950s jazz—it’s a lens through which we view the collapse of society. By trading the Mojave for the Thames, Team FOLON has breathed new life into a decade-old engine.
Final Score: 9/10 – Excellent
How to Play: The Easy Install
The easiest way to experience Fallout: London without the headache of manual downgrading is through GOG.com. If you own the Fallout 4: Game of the Year Edition on GOG, the installation is a “one-click” process that handles the version compatibility for you.
Download Fallout: London on GOG.com
Note: You must own the base game and all DLCs to run the mod.
