Summary
We all know the famous quote, “War never changes.” However, theFalloutseries has plenty of great quotes born from some fantastic writing that ranges from the darkly comedic to the incredibly poetic. The series has always been incredibly quotable, from its iconic tagline to some great dialogue that shows that even poignancy can’t be killed in a nuclear apocalypse. If anything, the end of the world probably promptssome great quotesabout humanity.
However, with so much great writing packed into a series that has been going on since the 90s, there are some that are going to hit harder than others. From the classics to the DLCs, there are always a few lines that are worth remembering. But these are some of the absolute best and most memorable quotes from the Fallout franchise.
8"War. War Never Changes."
It’s A Classic
Of course, we have to start with the classic, the one quote that everybody, even non-Fallout fans, knows. “War…War never changes” is a fantastic way to summarize what Fallout is all about: conflict. Despite the fact that war is what threw the world into a nuclear apocalypse to begin with, instead of trying to band together, a fair amount of survivors are hell-bent on fighting each other for some superiority.
Whether for resources, land, ideology, or just pure hatred, war never changes, and players have to figure out how to deal with conflict in a world that has been too scarred by it already.
7"I Have Been Baptized Twice, Once In Water, Once In Flame."
Joshua Graham Has The Best Lines
From one of thebest characters in the series, Joshua Graham, this poetic line encapsulates everything this character is about. He had found a new life in his supposed death when he was covered in pitch and set alight, thrown off into the Grand Canyon, and left for dead.
He has plenty of great lines to choose from. But this is just a succinct and beautiful way to let players know who the character is now: a religious survivor with a newfound purpose. It’s also a good line when it comes to its imagery.
6"If You Want To See The Fate Of Democracies, Look Out The Windows."
House Raises A Good Point
Another great line from the same game,Fallout: New Vegas, packs so much in one line. Mr. House informs the player of this when they try to push back on the idea of him being the sole autocrat of the New Vegas community.
However, House raises a point that the old systems don’t work, a common theme that is explored throughout the game. The state of the world certainly shows democracies aren’t so well right now. It even makes you question the NCR faction in the game.
5"Finding It, Though, That’s Not The Hard Part. It’s Letting Go."
From the DLC, Dead Money, the notion that the old world is something that must be let go comes up constantly in Fallout: New Vegas. This is mostly shown through the DLC, Dead Money, where the player gets roped into a heist of an old-world casino that is said to have tons of gold and tech.
However, you learn that, like the casino, the old world and its vestiges are something you just have to let go, no matter how tantalizing the treasure might seem.
Fallout Can Be Funny At Times
Not all is doom and gloom in the nuclear post-apocalypse though. Some lines are memorable because of just how hilarious they are, like the ramblings of an incompetent “scientist” working for the NCR.
The line is so funny that fans regularly quote it as a favorite. It’s such a funny and clever twist of words that will make anyone laugh on a playthrough when they encounter the quirky Fantastic.
3"You Saved Us, But You’ll Kill Us. I’m Sorry. You’re A Hero… And You Have To Leave."
A Heartbreaking Line From The Original
Known as another iconic quote of the Fallout series, this comes from the first game during the revelation that you, the player character, cannot return to your Vault. The Overseer explains that due to your exposure to the Wasteland, you cannot reintegrate into the Vault for fear that more of the inhabitants will want to go outside.
This coming after you successfully manage to acquire a water purification chip and save your home makes it hit that much harder. In fact, it’s such an iconic quote that it was repeated in Fallout 3 under similar circumstances for The Lone Wanderer.
2"So What Shall It Be? Do You Join The Unity? Or Do You Die Here? Join! Die! Join! Die!"
A Brilliant Way To Introduce The Master
This is perhaps one of the lines that are far better ifyou hear it. But it’s the very first line that theantagonist of Fallout, The Master, says to you. The way it’s said, the contrast between the smooth, velvety feminine voice and the more grizzled masculine one is a great example of how great voice acting can enhance already good lines.
It’s also just something almost unexpected, the antagonist asking the protagonist to join them or perish and the game giving you a legitimate choice between the two. It’s an effective and downright haunting line when you think about what’s at stake and a great first line to establish a villain.
1"If War Never Changes, Then Men Must Change, And So Must Their Symbols."
Ulysses Teaches Us A Lesson
We’ve all heard of that famous quote. But what happens when that same line is challenged? What happens when the premise is shifted? What happens when we come to realize that yes, war never changes but then if it never will, instead of worrying about it, we prevent it?
Ulysses asks this very same question with this quote. He knows that the ideologies that are appearing in this new world of Fallout are just repeating the mistakes of the past that got us here, and he knows that war may never change, but we still can. Adaptation is the key to survival and humans must adapt and learn to live together unless they want to destroy what little of a home they have left.
