First Demo of Fallout New Vegas’ Take on Black Isle’s Lost Fallout 3 Debuts with a Bang

If you tuned into last month’s C3 event hosted by Bethesda, you likely caught a glimpse of one of the standout projects: Fallout: Revelation Blues. This impressive mod is a reimagining of the canceled Fallout project, Van Buren, and stems from the community’s love for New Vegas. Now, the creators have released the first demo of Revelation Blues, offering a taste of what they’ve been crafting.

For those not familiar with ‘Van Buren,’ let’s bring you up to speed. Back in the day when Black Isle Studios and Interplay had the reins of the Fallout series, they kicked off development on what was meant to be Fallout 3. Unfortunately, it was shelved before completion. This project was famously known as Van Buren and has since garnered much curiosity, especially after Bethesda grabbed the franchise, giving us the iconic Fallout 3 set in Washington D.C., complete with its famous storyline featuring Liam Neeson as your virtual dad.

But history aside, let’s focus on Fallout: Revelation Blues. This ambitious New Vegas mod is set on delivering a “faithful adaptation” of Van Buren by transforming the classic isometric gameplay into a rich 3D experience for today’s fans. The demo introduces us to a glimpse of the world they’ve built, centered around Burham Springs—a ghost of a mining town that vividly reflects Van Buren’s narrative of destruction by an unyielding blaze.

So, what should you brace yourself for in this mod? The developers describe Burham Springs as “A small mining town previously held by the NCR, now deserted after a catastrophic event.” As the player, you’ll traverse the ruins and see the story unfold. Engage with the surviving locals, who teeter on the brink of madness, and unearth hidden treasures among the ash and rocks of this eerie canyon. It’s a treasure to claim, but remember, it comes with its own price.

As you adventure through the town, you’ll encounter some familiar groups like the NCR, the Brotherhood of Steel, and the Powder Gangers. The experience is enriched with brand-new weather effects, assets, and intricate levels designed to captivate and stand out. One of the intriguing highlights includes an image suggesting a robot crafted from a petrol pump. Here’s hoping it’s a companion named Pumpy!

Before diving into this new area, the modders suggest having a character at least level 15. You can access this exciting new locale by hopping on a train at Boulder City.

We’re curious—will you be trying out the Revelation Blues demo? And if you have a penchant for mixing a little Elder Scrolls with your Fallout adventures, don’t miss our conversation with the lead of the Oblivion remake mod, Skyblivion, which was also featured in the C3 showcase.