Fallout: Bakersfield Mod Unleashes Retro-FPS Mayhem in GZDoom Engine

The highly anticipated total-conversion mod Fallout: Bakersfield has resurfaced with extended gameplay footage, demonstrating its successful fusion of the original Fallout’s dark, post-apocalyptic aesthetic with the fast-paced action of a classic Doom-style “boomer shooter.” Developed on the powerful GZDoom engine by Alexander and Denis Berezin (Saur X), this project is a gritty, sprite-based reimagining of Necropolis—the ghoul-infested city from the 1997 original, located in the ruins of Bakersfield, California.

The new footage has been met with significant excitement, showcasing how well the isometric CRPG’s grim atmosphere translates into a first-person perspective, utilizing the engine’s 2.5D structure to create claustrophobic, decay-filled environments.

Gameplay: Old-School Shooting Meets Classic RPG

The core appeal of Fallout: Bakersfield lies in its ability to marry the visceral gunplay of Doom with the unique flavor of the Fallout universe. The extended gameplay reveals several key features that highlight this successful blend:

• Visceral Combat: The footage confirms satisfying, heavy combat. Weapons like the Flamer torch ghouls into smoldering monsters, while shotguns deliver chunky, pixelated gore. Enemies react dynamically, often vomiting or exploding under fire, which is a perfect callback to the original games’ black humor and high-impact critical hits.
• Atmospheric Design: Despite the shift in genre, the mod captures the eerie, sinister ambiance of the original Fallout. The new footage emphasizes environmental sound design, with tense silence broken by the metallic clunk of reloading, the moan of a ghoul, or the crackle of distant thunder, creating a tense, survival-horror atmosphere.
• RPG Elements Maintained: Crucially, the mod retains aspects of its RPG roots. The UI has a Pip-Boy aesthetic, providing real-time text updates for damage and environmental interactions. Player stats reportedly influence gun accuracy and critical chance, adding a layer of depth to the point-and-shoot gameplay.
• Vault 12 and Necropolis Exploration: Players are shown approaching the infamous Vault 12 entrance, giving a glimpse into the massive, dim underground shelter that spawned the city’s ghoul residents. The city itself, filled with corroded walls and debris, feels like an authentic realization of the classic setting.

The mod developers have confirmed that the project is approximately 60% complete. While environment and wall tiles are nearly done (80%), creature and weapon development are still in progress (30% and 50% respectively), indicating a continuous stream of new content to look forward to.

The Total Conversion Trend: Breathing Life into Classic IP

The re-emergence of Fallout: Bakersfield after a three-year silence confirms the project’s robust continuation and places it alongside other monumental fan efforts, such as the now-released Fallout: London. These total conversion mods are quickly becoming a dominant force in the fan-created content landscape, utilizing older, versatile engines like GZDoom to deliver a nostalgic yet mechanically fresh experience.

Many fans of the franchise have praised the mod for capturing the grimy, pulpy aesthetic of the original Black Isle titles far more effectively than some of the later 3D installments. By embracing the 2.5D visual style, the mod is a testament to the enduring power of classic pixel art and sprite design in a modern gaming context. This project is a non-commercial love letter to the franchise, proving that the most creative fans are the ones driving the most interesting innovations in the post-apocalyptic genre.