If you tuned into Bethesda community modding event C3 last month, one of the projects you might have caught being shown off was Fallout: Revelation Blues, a New Vegas adaptation of the cancelled Fallout: Van Buren that’s been in the works for a little while. Now, the modders behind it have released the first Revelation Blues demo, giving you the chance to get a taste of the mod for yourself.
If the words ‘Van Buren’ don’t immediately ring a bell, don’t worry, here’s the context you’ll need. Back when original Fallout developers Black Isle studios and Interplay were still in control of the series, a team started work on what would have been a Fallout 3, but was cancelled before it could see the light of day. That game was Van Buren, and it’s become the subject of plenty of community intrigue, especially since Bethesda took over the IP and released its own separate Fallout 3 – you know, the one set in DC in which you’ve got Liam Neeson daddy issues.
Anyway, history lesson over. Fallout: Revelation Blues is the name of the New Vegas modding project that’s aiming to create “a faithful adaption” of Van Buren, which “[brings] the isometric experience into the 3D world for a new generation of fans”. In this first demo, its team has prepped “a snippet of the area we have developed”, surrounding the town of Burham Springs, the wreck of a mining community decimated by a huge and still burning fire in Van Buren’s original plans.
As for what to expect, the modders write that Burham Springs is: “A small mining town that was once under NCR control, now abandoned due to a terrible incident. You the player will be able to explore the ruins and have the story unfold before you. Meet with the last few locals who are every bit on edge and possibly insane. Find treasures and secrets buried away under the sand and rock of the ashy canyon. It’s yours to claim, but at what cost?”
There’ll be “some familiar faces like the NCR, the BoS and the Powder Gangers” for you to meet as you explore the town, as well as some “new weather, new assets, new levels, and a whole lot more added to make the environment all the more eye-catching and unique”. Among the images the team has included is one of what looks like a robot made out of a petrol pump, which has definitely caught my eye. Please say it’s a follower called Pumpy.
The modders recommend having a character that’s at least around level 15 before you head to this new area, which can be accessed via a train in Boulder City.
Let us know if you’ll be checking out Revelation Blues’ demo and if you love a bit of Elder Scrolls alongside your Fallout, make sure to check out our chat with the project lead of Oblivion remake mod Skyblivion prior to that project’s own C3 showcase.