New Vegas Endings

Hannah Arendt

2 min read

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04-12-2024

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Fallout: New Vegas, unlike many other games in the series, offers a truly impactful branching narrative with multiple endings, each reflecting the player's choices and actions throughout the game. The game's renowned freedom of choice isn't just window dressing; it directly shapes the fate of the Mojave Wasteland and its inhabitants. Let's examine the major endings and the paths that lead to them.

The Major Factions and Their Endings

The core of New Vegas's branching narrative revolves around four major factions:

• NCR (New California Republic): Representing a relatively stable, if somewhat bureaucratic, government, siding with the NCR leads to a future where their influence expands across the Mojave. This ending generally involves stabilizing the region under their rule, though the long-term implications remain uncertain. Success hinges on completing quests that strengthen their position and securing key victories in the conflict.

• Caesar's Legion: This brutal, expansionist legion offers a stark contrast to the NCR. Choosing Caesar's Legion leads to a dystopian future where the Mojave is conquered and ruled with an iron fist. This outcome is characterized by a severe crackdown on dissent and the implementation of their harsh, often barbaric laws. The path to this ending requires demonstrating unwavering loyalty and effectively aiding the Legion in their military campaigns.

• Mr. House: The enigmatic and powerful Mr. House, a pre-war tycoon, seeks to maintain control over the Strip and guide the Mojave's development through technological advancement and economic prosperity. Choosing this path leads to a future dominated by House's vision, albeit one that may leave many feeling alienated or exploited. Achieving this ending demands successfully completing his various objectives and ensuring his survival.

• Yes Man: Unlike the other factions, Yes Man is a more independent and adaptable option. He presents the player with the possibility of controlling the Mojave themselves, leaving the player to determine the region's future. This path to independence requires cunning manipulation and careful consideration of the various factions and their implications.

The Independent Route: A Neutral Ending?

Choosing not to fully commit to any single faction can lead to an ending where the Mojave's fate remains uncertain. While this isn't a distinct "ending" in the same way as aligning with the major factions, it presents a nuanced conclusion reflecting the complexities of the situation. The resulting stability or instability of the region depends heavily on the specific actions and choices the player makes leading up to the final confrontation.

The Importance of Player Choice

The power of Fallout: New Vegas's multiple endings is not just in their variety but in their consequences. Each choice, from minor dialogue options to major battles, significantly affects the narrative and the overall state of the Mojave Wasteland. The game encourages players to replay it to experience different paths, furthering its high replay value. The lack of a single "good" ending adds another layer of complexity, forcing players to consider the moral implications of their actions and their impact on the lives of others within the game's world.

The endings in New Vegas aren't simply pre-determined outcomes; they are a direct result of the player's journey through the Mojave, making it one of the most memorable and replayable RPG experiences ever created.