Fallout: Bakersfield is a fan made total conversion mod for GZDoom that turns the 1997 classic Fallout into a first person shooter. Alexander and Denis Berezin, aka Saur X, made this project that reimagines the post apocalyptic wasteland of Necropolis—originally Bakersfield, California—as a visceral sprite based FPS/RPG mix.
You step into the ghoul infested streets of Necropolis, a setting straight from Fallout 1’s bleak world. The mod keeps the original isometric RPG’s pixelated, gritty feel, with decay filled locations such as corroded walls, cracked toilets and debris strewn alleys. The animations are smooth, from reloads to ghouls vomiting or exploding into bits under a hail of bullets. Combat feels heavy, with weapons like plasma rifles, shotguns and throwing knives providing feedback. With each hit a power fist cracks and enemies respond dynamically, dropping weapons or crumbling under critical hits.
RPG elements are still present, keeping the spirit of the original. A status window, similar to the traditional Fallout UI, displays real time text updates for damage dealt or environmental interactions. Player stats affect shot accuracy and critical hit chance, adding complexity to point and shoot gameplay. A motion detector adds a new layer by revealing enemy positions, while glimpses of speech and quests—like an encounter with a Children of Atom member—indicate a narrative that’s still being developed. The UI is Pip-Boy like, keeping the experience grounded in Fallout’s classic design without straying too far into modern graphics realism.
GZDoom, a robust fork of the 1993 Doom engine, powers this massive project. Its 2.5D structure makes map making easier while also fostering a strong modding community which the Berezin brothers are using to great effect. The mod’s retro visuals, based on sprites not 3D models, recall the clunky, pixelated look of Fallout 1 and 2 but feel refined in action. Ghouls carry weird weapons like an iguana on a stick, while contextual interactions like punching an enemy into a breakable toilet add humor and chaos. At 60% complete, the landscape has outpaced creature and weapon development, with only 30% of the intended enemies built, but the foundation is looking good.
Fallout: Bakersfield is a bridge between eras, combining the turn based depth of 1997’s Fallout with the pure energy of Doom. It’s not just a mod, it’s a reimagining that respects its source while taking GZDoom to new levels. With Fallout Season 2 coming to Prime Video, fans wanting to go back to the series’ roots have something to look forward to.
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