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<p><em>Fallout 3</em> pays homage to its classic RPG roots in more ways than one. Its iconic cover art was a deliberate tribute to the original title and served as the very first conceptual piece developed for the third installment. More importantly, the game's core narrative was designed to revisit the "foundational themes" of the 1997 Interplay classic. According to lead designer Emil Pagliarulo, this narrative direction was sparked by a single geographic reference.</p>
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<p>Reflecting on the development process in *Edge Magazine*, Pagliarulo recalled examining an overhead map of the Jefferson Memorial and the Tidal Basin—locations that would eventually define the game's climax. "The Tidal Basin is a self-contained reservoir," he noted. "And that was it, right there."</p>
<p>In the original <em>Fallout</em>, players were famously tasked with leaving their Vault to secure a replacement water chip and save their community from dehydration. When Pagliarulo saw the Tidal Basin, the connection became clear: the story had to revolve around water. It was a chance to mirror the survival-driven, high-stakes simplicity of the series' debut.</p>
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<p>The resulting plot remained faithful to that vision. While <em>Fallout 3</em> explored new territory, its central conflict hinged on a massive water purification initiative that could either bring life to the Capital Wasteland or be twisted into a weapon of mass destruction, depending entirely on the player's moral choices.</p>
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<p><em>Related: Todd Howard confirms that Fallout 5 will share the same continuity as the hit Amazon Prime series.</em></p>
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Source: gamesradar.com
