Fallout Colorado: The Odd Spin-off Poised to Shape Fallout Season 3
There isn’t a main Fallout Colorado game, but the franchise has a decidedly quirky offshoot that might just become a cornerstone for the next chapter. Fallout Season 2 leaned into New Vegas nostalgia as Lucy MacLean (Ella Purnell) and the Ghoul chase Hank MacLean (Kyle MacLachlan) through the iconic city, pulling in Deathclaws, a Power-Fist, and NCR Rangers along the way.
With Season 2 ending on a hint of a shift, the story is set to stretch its legs toward Colorado. The spinoff lore is clear enough to spark curiosity: a Fallout Colorado arc could reinterpret familiar threads while nudging the series into new territory for Season 3.
Vault 0 at the heart of Fallout Colorado
The proposed Colorado chapter centers on Vault 0, a location that stands apart from the more conventional Vaults in the wider canon. In Fallout Tactics: Brotherhood of Steel, a turn-based strategy title released in 2001, players follow a Brotherhood squad hunting for Vault 0 within the Cheyenne Mountain Complex. This makes Vault 0 one of the more unusual hubs in the Fallout universe, since it houses the Vault-Tec leadership and, in some interpretations, higher-level government and military officials.
This Vault is said to be tucked away in the Rocky Mountains of Colorado, which explains the show’s interest in setting up a path for the Ghoul—the story’s emotional engine—to travel there in search of Barbara (Frances Turner) and her daughter Janey (Teagan Meredith). If the TV adaptation stays faithful to Fallout Tactics lore, Barbara’s presence as a Vault-Tec insider could help justify her motives for heading to Vault 0, rather than a different Vault in Vegas or elsewhere.
A different kind of Fallout experience
Fallout Tactics diverged from the main RPG-heavy formula by focusing on tactical combat and squad management, a shift that stands out in the franchise. The campaign introduces foes like the Beastlords, who can command animals—including Deathclaws—adding a layer of strange, almost Lovecraftian scale to the battles. The game’s climax features an entity called the Calculator, a fusion of computer brains with Vault inhabitants, orchestrating an army of robots.
The show’s approach to lore could weave in elements from Fallout Tactics without erasing the core RPG roots that fans love. Early indications in Seasons 1 and 2 suggest the creators respect the source material, which bodes well for how they’ll handle a potential Fallout Colorado chapter—in a way that nods to the spinoff while keeping the TV narrative accessible.
What to expect if Season 3 tackles Fallout Colorado
- A bridge between the show’s existing New Vegas vibes and a broader Colorado arc, potentially expanding the mythos beyond the usual wasteland locales.
- Possible references to Vault 0 and its unique role within Vault-Tec and government/military circles, giving Barbara and Janey a fresh motive for seeking the Vault.
- Subtle touches drawn from Fallout Tactics, like squad-based planning or unusual adversaries, tempered to fit the series’ storytelling style.
- Respect for franchise lore rather than a heavy-handed retcon, allowing longtime fans to catch Easter eggs while new viewers stay engaged with the character-driven drama.
If you’re curious about how Season 3 might unfold or want a broader look at upcoming shows, you can explore theories about the Season 2 finale and check out previews of anticipated TV in 2026 and the best series of 2025.