Randall Clark is genuinely one of the best written pieces of world building and ambient story telling in any video game for me, it shows why some of the tribes consider areas taboo, why they don't enter caves, their mythology and religion and beliefs. It's all because of Randall and I just absolutely love that even before Joshua came to Zion for Religious reasons and protects it for the same reason, we had another protector and savior of the innocent within the same holy land. He's my favorite character in all of Fallout with Joshua following very closely behind
Completely agree! I missed all of Randall on my first run and only discovered his story recently, he's so fascinating. It's also a very rewarding player experience to explore the canyon looking for his hideouts and putting the pieces together. I remember dropping the main story completely because I need to learn why he killed all those vault 22 guys.
@Miles Doyle this is a whole can of worms I don’t wanna touch with a 20 mile pole so imma just say this don’t preach on a TH-cam comment section, it’s cringe and unwanted, don’t shove your religion down other peoples throats it just isn’t fun or nice to do. thank you and have a good day
I have some wishes on finding remnants of the people he either attacked or helped. It pains me that such a well built character was all done through an unmarked quest line of exploration. If only Bethesda and obsidian made more characters both dead and alive like this
12:25 I don't believe Randall cannibalized the dead, I believe that sentence is saying that the remaining 34 dwellers from vault 22 ate their own dead before heading southeast, having decided that it wasn't worth living in this area anymore
For sure. That is what he means just by the sentence structure alone he is talking about the vault dwellers, not himself. I was so confused by him saying Randall was resorting to cannibalism.
@Miles Doyle This has nothing to do with the topic and everything to do with your pride. You are disgracing Christianity and Jesus by spamming like some holyer than though Pharisees. Stop it.
As someone who has struggled with depression and attempted suicide, the ending of this video is so meaningful. The concept of living just to hold on to the few moments of good, even if it requires a lifetime of bad and failures. Understanding that the small amounts of good we find in this world even if it’s just a memory, is equal or greater to all of the bad. That those moments are worth livings for, even if it’s living through hell. As a husband and a parent, having almost thrown it all away because I in my mental instability couldn’t see the value of living to hold and cherish those moments. Even if you feel you are a failure and your best intentions only hurt those around you. If you don’t keep living, you are also taking away the possibility of those moments from your loved ones as well. This really has connected with me and connects with what I found to be true, after surviving and getting the help I needed. Life is not about how we measure value in ourselves or of our deeds. But it’s about the value of those finding those moments of good, despite all of the terrible things we cause or go through to get there. At a base level things are not balanced between good and bad. Life is not easy or happy, or good, but is it worth living? Absolutely! It is. Thank you max for the wonderful video and your experience and thoughts you share on it.
Big ups for still being with us Seth, life's always gonna be tough, all we need is courage to do our best with what we have, and you've showed it, big ups brother.
@@tjt6821 I appreciate it. It’s been over 3 years now, but the clarity of vision you get right after fades over time. No matter how painful or uncomfortable certain memories can be. I try to embrace things that pull any of that clarity back into focus. Thank you again for the kind words. But honestly I’m not the one in need as much anymore. I try to be open about these things in hopes it might help just one other person get to skip a few of the final steps in the road I went down.
@Miles Doyle so… a few things. 1: I genuinely appreciate the time and effort you have taken to write all of your reply. I take it as a compliment that my comment relating to mental health, moved you to show an over abundance of care for my eternal soul. 2: I have zero desire to entertain these types of conversations in the comments section of someone else’s video, especially one that is so heavily talking about mental health. Which is what the comments should stay positive and focused around, or about how much we enjoyed the video and the content creator. 3: although I am choosing to view your comments in good faith, as you wanting to share something that has brought a lot of joy and meaning to your life. I do not enjoy reading verse filled writing used as a method to try and save others by shoving personal beliefs unprompted in peoples faces. Most of what you wrote has so little context in to connect to my original comment, or even a cohesive narrative throughout the entire comment. Besides just the verses you are quoting without contextually connecting it to a point or reason for why you are even writing it….. besides all that, you didn’t write anything original or of independent thoughts that would again give any context to why you are quoting anything. It’s the equivalent of someone barging into an event and randomly shouting scriptures and saying how they will save everyone’s souls. First off, you are about 2 decade’s short of being able to save my soul by using scripture to try and cobble together a point that could guilt trip / connect with emotions of hurting individuals who will listen to the first grift that tells them they are special. I’m not saying you are intentionally trying to do this, but you are regurgitating talking points and the style of people are grifter’s and sociopaths. I spent 25 years in many different churches and being involved in several leadership positions and appointments. I have heard every way people use scripture to try and say a point for them, that they can’t argue or justify by themselves without relying on using “Gods Word” to give it any credentials or weight. I have spent far more time watching and hearing people being gaslighted, guilted, belittled, and made to feel worthless, all in the guise of love and caring. I have seen far to many people including myself, believing that what they do is an act of love and not just establishing control over peoples lives and choices. So next time you want to “save someone”. Maybe you should think about if you are doing it for them, or yourself. And finally on this topic, besides verse’s and trying to cold sell religion with overused rhetoric, the only other substance you had in your comment, negative and insulting takes about another religion which usually corresponds to some level of underlying racism and bigotry. Hot tip, when you want to share gods love with others, maybe try not puke out a bunch of hateful and divisive speech that shows your actual beliefs of others. It might work a bit better for you if you left that part out. 3: I would prefer of you don’t leave reply’s on anything I write that is not regarding what I actually said or relates to the comment or video in any way. Thank you. Me and my eternal soul are grateful you took the time to read all of this, and will now promptly not be spending more time thinking about this interruption.
I think you misinterpreted the bit 12min in. The survivalist never resorted to cannibalism. He killed the Vault 22 survivors, up until there were 34 of them. At that point those 34 survivors ate their dead, then left South East.
@@maxderrat Understandable error to make given Randall's writing style. Your point stands given the depravity of his implied enjoyment of the killings. Awesome video.
@@maxderrat it happens man. Rest of it's good. it's more like the 2 separate sentences that should be combined. The whole ate the remaining dead doesn't really state who ate In the sentence
He’s the only reason I chose the Desert Ranger Combat Armor over everything else. No power armor, nor NCR Ranger Armor. I ended the game wearing that knowing the previous wearer was the legend we know as Randall Clark.
I wish you could talk to someone in game about this. Like imagine being able to talk to boone or raul and telling them about his story, with three ways to describe each part of the story
@@engliships2126 That just made me imagine an auto generated Raul voice telling you something he knew or did that he wasn't aware was related to that story due to his age. "Saw a map with some American bases pointed out on it once and struck out toward one of them.." or sumfink like that.
Excellent analysis, my man. "The Father in the Cave" is one of those story elements that stuck with me long after playing FONV, and part of the reason I love this franchise so much. I'm glad to see him get the Max Derrat treatment.
The thing I adore most about the whole survivalist side story is how well connected it is; it’s a perfect blend of past story, present discovery, and rewarding the player for their time. I’m not sure how many ways or times it could work, but this one sure as hell does.
Different writers. Different studios. Some blame Emil, though, the lead writer for FO4 … he was great for the Dark Brotherhood quest line in Oblivion and did memorable side quest stories, but being the lead writer for a whole game’s story _and_ its side quests? Seems it just wasn’t the job for him. I get that there was a whole team under him that did a lot of the bad writing also, but when your name is at the top…. plus, he basically implied the player base was too dumb to have elaborate stories, so it should be dumbed down essentially. “You can write the greatest American novel with comedy and tragedy, but the players will take that story and rip its pages off and make paper airplanes.” With the Far Harbor DLC, you can tell someone else (Will Shen) wrote it because it’s actually pretty decent and a bit reminiscent of FNV with choice and consequence - minus the memory puzzle game …
Fallout writing is a complete dice roll with Bethesda. Either we get some amazing content up to the level of the classics or something that felt like an idea ripped from a doodle on a whiteboard.
I always loved Honest Hearts for this “hidden” story. It really got deep inside my mind when i read it the first time. Happy to see other people appreciating this small part of a Masterpiece.
Just as we never know when our own time comes, it is important to bear in mind that you never know when the touch of your most casual kindness may pull someone back from the abyss, or your pettiest cruelty may cast them into it. You don’t need to be perfect, you just have to be there for someone at the perfect time.
@@graysalmon5650 I'm glad I could inspire you. Not as grandiose as what I was saying, but it's a good example of the effect I was talking about. Millions of videos and books on deep philosophy, and someone finds inspiration in an internet comment.
Randall Clark, the "Father in the Cave" is an absolutely fantastic character, one of the most memorable ones I've ever had the chance of knowing about. I remember playing the game and reading his notes, his history, and being absolutely entranced by it. Absolutely fantastic character. Finding his remains later in the game was sad but also a very "hopeful" moment for me. Despite everything he blamed himself for and all the hell that he went through after the bombs fell he, in a way, managed to live way beyond his resting place.
Reminds me of Guts from Berserk, when he just wanted to die but his body kept reacting for him no matter how dire the situation as if surviving came to him naturally.
12:19 Why do so many misinterpret this? Randall DID NOT cannibalize the slain Vault 22 dwellers. What he was saying here was that the surviving 34 dwellers ATE THEIR OWN DEAD for strength before leaving Zion.
My personal favorite character as well. As a massive FNV fan whenever the "what faction would be best for the Mojave wasteland" conversation happens, I say the father in the caves.
The most emotional experience I've ever had playing a video game comes from the old world blues dlc after you collect every sink appliance function and personality upgrades. I would love to see you experience it and hear what you have to say about the themes of personhood and artificial intelligence!
I remember how empty I had felt after I had put together his whole story. Came close to the young woman in FO4, who got trapped at work. Though in her case the amazing work of the voice actress added a lot to this small, but sad scene, that showed, what people had gone through after the bombs had fallen.
Wait are you talking about the girl who was trapped in the house just south of Bunker hill? And became a bloated glowing one? Dude I literally just came across that while playing yesterday
Fo4 really craps the bed on a lot of things but that was actually one of the few times I've been genuinely interested in something that happened in such a small area
@@Dislike-kq9uq That story was another good one, true! But I meant a different one. In case you haven't found it yet: Take a really good look around once you get to Fallon's.
This story has me reminded of when Fallout 76 first released. Where every survivor has either been killed off or infected by the Scorched Plague, and all they have are terminal entries. But the difference is that while you have a secured bunker full of Vault dwellers, the only thing you're learning is to not repeat the same mistakes. Not teaching an entirely new generation how to live in this world they already find themselves in.
Randall's story was heavy. I remember stopping playing and having a cigarette after. The way he describes the joy of seeing true innocence and nurturing it at the end of things making it all worth it really hit me
The thought of him resisting the urge to commit suicide while living in such misery, just to preserve the memory of them nearly brought me to tears. That's so profoundly beautiful, yet deeply tragic and heartbreaking.
This story gave me an experience no other story had before, an experience I'll be lucky if I ever have again. When I first talked to the Sorrows tribe and heard about their "Father" I immediately assumed it was just some story a dev through in there to fill space. I continued to think that until I got to the end of the survivalist's story and read the word "sorrows." Then the two stories clicked together in an incredibly satisfying way. What made this so good was how suddenly everything came together. Imagin if you separately finished two different puzzles and were about to put them away when you noticed one detail they shared, then suddenly your entire perspective on the two puzzles shifted until it was clear they were two halves of one. Then your just left thinking "how am I just seeing this now?"
There was a time where I was suicidal and thinking of really going through with it. I was frustrated with my life and even angry with my parents for somehow failing me. I thought "I'm worthless, a burden on the world, and screw how it would make my parents feel, maybe they deserve it". It was only when I remembered my younger brother and thought about what my suicide would do to his life that I realized I couldn't do it. I remember the day he was born and I would never forgive anyone who truly hurt him, including myself. That's what this story reminded me of. Those acts of kindness that inspired those children were divine. There's a little bit of divinity in everyone and maybe we're right to deify those people who are able to embody that inner divinity and allow it to manifest in such a powerful way. Impacting people's lives and giving them meaning like that really is a miracle, even if it's not as flashy as rising from the dead or walking on water. Having any meaning at all in your life is a miracle, it's a divine gift. And if you're able to give that sense of meaning to the lives of others, you might as well be bringing the dead back to life.
Incredibly well made, Randall Clark was always a character I stuck to in New Vegas. I have well over 2000 hours in the game yet still get sad thinking and reading about it, and yet still also uplifted by how things went. Your video is something I'm glad was made. It shines light on a character many people miss. Thank you.
Absolutely amazing video! Whoever at obsidian came up with this story isn't payed enough. Also the fact that this story goes unnoticed if you're not invested in the lore enough, only makes it better to discover. Again, amazing work Max.
It was John Gonzalez. He either left or was let go, after Obsidian's next game was cancelled. He eventually joined Guerilla Games, and was responsible for Horizon:ZD.
The story of Randall reminds me of the story of Jake from "I'm thinking of ending things". Both characters struggle with the constant wish to end their lives while continuing to live despite their hopelessness. Both characters end up in the same place Randall ends up leaving his life with something happy even after all the pain he went through while Jake ends up being stuck in a whirlpool of loneliness and sadness with no escape. Just interesting how the two have physical similarities in where they go and how their lives end but their spiritual journies end up being wildly different.
i really like the fact that there's a patch of plants growing on the rock behind his skull and nowhere else on the thing almost feels like xion itself is trying to reach out and comfort him in his death
Max, dude, this is just what I needed during a time when I feel a bit head spun about the world and my place in it. The ending of this video really caught me off guard and hit me with a big OOOOOF right in the feels. Great stuff 👏
The best discoverable story in Fallout. I remember one playthrough where a White Legs tribal took his rifle from his pack, and I was so pissed I dismembered them. "How DARE You Touch His Belongings"
This video is a surprising one that warms my heart, I always loved this story and I’m so happy to see you giving it the attention it so dearly deserves. Edit: wait till you get to Veronica and her lover In dead money, hell dead money in general. Also don’t tell my dad I said hell.
@Miles Doyle I was with you all up until you got a little harsh on Muslims. You may disagree with the religion and it’s practices or historical facts but do please remember that even christianity and catholics have had there own troubles. No religion is perfect and wile Jesus might have been that does not mean we all need to be now. For if he died for our sins and walks with us as you say then we are all saved. With that said focus of the teachings rather then the spread of the message, it will spread itself through work not walls of text. I appreciate you sharing tho and do wish you the best, maybe pick up a Koran tho and read it then speak to someone experienced with it before you just base it on whatever historical facts you may seem to know. Just a friendly suggestion tho.
The pint sized slasher? Or maybe Chance? You are right, Randal Clark has got to be the most thought provoking character that you never meet. Great video.
I remember reading this set of entries for the first time. I was blown away by how good it ended up being. One of the best parts of the DLC, singlehandedly.
No matter how many times I have read this story, or have watched video essays covering his story, I never fail to me entertained by everyone's narration of it.
My very first play through of Honest Hearts, I found Randall Clark's first journal entry very early, and my main quest became finding the rest of them. When I decided to crush the white legs, it wasn't doing it for Joshua Graham. I was doing it because Randall would have done it. When I was on my way to confront the final white legs camp with Joshua Graham, it was then that I finally found the final resting place of Randall Clark, his farewell message to the Sorrows. And his gun. Learning Randall Clark's story, donning his armor, and using that deafening rifle to protect the sorrows tribe, whom Randall had given Zion to? Righteous. One of the best gaming moments of my life.
Not just in New Vegas, but in all of Fallout. This was a man who witnessed the end of the world. Lost his Pre-War family to the bombs. Spent his entire life surviving out in Zion National Park with minimum human interaction. Yet he retained his compassion and his sanity through it all. This was a man who spent his entire life losing those who he cared for, from a group of Mexican survivors, to his second wife and their child. In the end, when age was getting the best of him, he devoted the last of days aiding and teaching from a distance to a group of children who traveled to Zion. Many times, he had contemplated suicide. Many times, he had nearly given up on his pre-war principles. Many times, he had to endure failure and loss. But in the end, he kept his humanity and devoted his life to helping those when they were in need. Helping and caring for those who few would even meet him or know his name. By far, a masterpiece of a character with a truly heart-wrenching story, and the fact that his story doesn’t come from a quest or an NPC, but instead a little devotion to exploring and reading a few terminals. God, THIS. This is how you write a game. This is why New Vegas is considered to be a gaming masterpiece. The level of story writing is just absolutely amazing.
The first time I played through Honest Hearts, I found some caves but not all. I'm so glad I went back and found them all and read his story. There's so much about him that reminds me of my own father, who I lost last year. His initials were also RC, too. But even before his passing, this story and how it reminded me of him would break me down in tears. Just like this story did again today. Kudos to the team who wrote his story, because it's one of the most impactful in all of gaming IMO. And thanks for covering it so well.
If I remember correctly I once spent about 2 weeks doing nothing but playing New Vegas in my free time. When I finally put it down I felt incredibly disconnected from my surroundings 😬
Honestly out of all of the characters in the fallout series, his story was always the biggest to me. Not even the existential crises of The Master, or long and horrowing tale of Herbert, or even the main characters from any game had as much of an impact on me as a player than Randel did. It may be because i also suffer from a similar dilemma; Wanting death now, yet fearing it so deeply. Yet wanting eternal life, yet fearing it so deeply. And while i have had a cushy life in comparison, and most certainly never lost anything nearly as valued as he had... i can relate to that struggle. That pain of failing. That need for continueing yet wishing it be over.. the dire moments that all it would take is just some guy walking in with a gun and solving it all for you. And the horrific reality as that never happens. Forced to constantly take one step at a time despite your conflicting wishes, no matter how badly it hurts. Ive gotten better since those days, but the feeling still lingers on occasion. But i can still look back at things like Randels tale, and i cant help but empathise. If i wanted to die for my minor reasons (in comparison).. what true pain and anguish... what true frustration he had to live with every... single day. That will stick with me forever.
In a way... randal was kinda like the father to us, too. Leaving us the best rifle, the coolest set of armor. And all the sentimental motivation in world. I still think about how well crafted this story is, ive just had a baby too. So this really really hits different now.
Amazing job on my favorite fallout character, i agree with all of this! Thank you for pairing the holotape writing with backgrounds from the game, makes the perfect combination ive left up to my imagination all these years!
Your final line of this video helped me feel better since I’ve been going through a lot of depression and being the cause of social strife in my relationships with loved ones. I really need that, thank you
Randal Clark's Story is so well told.. and its all just text on screens, and environmental storytelling. it leaves it up to the player to piece it all together. its heart wrenching the things he went through.. the things his family and wives went through. what he did to try keep the settlers of zion safe from the Vault22 jack asses. he kept going until he couldn't any more. he left behind all the resources he could so those coming across his camps would have a chance at surviving in the world.
It was already being hinted at in the main story, because Ulysses was supposed to be a companion, but got cut in order to be used in the expansions. Then it got referenced in Dead Money (with Father Elijah and Christine), a little bit in Honest Hearts (with Joshua Graham referring to you being a courier, and how he was expecting a *different* courier to come after him), and then of course very much so in OWB, with all the sites he went to, and who he spoke with.
Honest Hearts > Old World Blues > Lonesome Road > Dead Money Seriously though, The Survivalist was a good character to me too. His was not my personal favorite story, that title goes to Vault 22. I read your description, and based on what you said I recommend Jacobstown to you if you haven't already been there. I sunk over 1,000 hours into New Vegas so you can take my word on good faith.
@@jaydamalley3398 i wouldn't call the Dead Money's gameplay the strongest in the FNV. While i appreciate that they tried to make it harder and lean into survivalist aspect, it falls down pretty quickly, around midpoint of the DLC. Then it just becomes a regular FNV gameplay, but with more enemies that are tougher The writing is pretty good tho, the God/Dog and Christine being my favorites, despite one of them having only a few lines of voiced dialogue lmao
Definitely my very favorite character of all of the fallout world, he reminds me very deeply of myself and how I truly hope I would respond under similar circumstances
Every time I’ve played Honest Hearts, I’ve been mediocre on returning to Zion. Then I remember Randall, find his entries and realize the people in the Valley are his legacy. Shockingly amazing writing, idk how they did it
12:16 I think you misread Clark's entry. He's referring to the Coughers/Vault 22 dwellers when he says "All 34 that still lived. Ate their dead for strength, then struck out SE" Unless I'm forgetting another passage, to me he's talking about the Vault dwellers. Given their introduction as cannibals and what we know about Vault 22 (the vault is overcome with deadly plant life in the main game) it's possible they ate only meat as a form of culture.
Max makes some of the best and most thought-provoking content on TH-cam! If it was not for his MGS2 videos, I would never have found his channel. Thank you for the great videos, Max, and keep up the great work!
I have played fonv and it’s dlc multiple times and every time I play I find all terminals and reread entries because it’s such a good story. Great story telling makes you feel something, makes you feel the emotions of another person, Clark’s story does that.
Randal Clarks final entry is the main reason I chose to side with Joshua when I first played. Back then I was very protective of innocence and I felt David's need to protect the childlike sorrows. But reading Randal's struggles and finding little bits of hope showed me how wrong I was. I was wrongfully connecting innocence with happiness, sure innocence has happiness but it's fragile and is more akin to ignorance which cannot protect it's happiness. Unfortunately you cannot be around forever to guard it. Siding with David is just herding sheep to the inevitable slaughter, but siding with Joshua helps the sorrows guard the land that made their life so wonderful in the first place and therefore happiness wouldn't die out once their guardian did. Randal's life had much more meaning than he ever could realize because through his suffering, a paradise was created for people that would appreciate it.
The Father (Survivalist) and Graham carried the DLC. Which is in a way, due to context, obviously intended and amazing. I'm not religious. Quite the contrary. And yes I appreciated both characters so much. I also appreciated that the Survivalist's story is hidden. Felt like it was done for the people like me. The ones who go looking. Searching for explanations, maybe even the truth. I was rewarded with a character that reflected my view of things. Of the world and humanity. Someone that showed that in the end, we don't need a omnipotent deity which likely is just one of the oldest coping mechanisms anyway. We can be our own salvation, uplift and safeguard each other. Especially from those who want to harm us. The Zion tribes calling him the Father, due to the notes, which they and us never got to see, was such a nice touch and it makes you wish, they knew. But in the end, some seemingly just fare better by not knowing and maybe that's okay.
I always found this story the most touching piece of writing in the whole series. I seem to remember Noah Caldwell-Gervais did too. As for J.G, I found him vaguely interesting but not terribly compelling. I liked the companion characters more, generally, although that might just be due to spending more time with them. Regardless, it cheers me no end to see you feel the same about Randall Clark. I remember trying onn my second playthrough desperately hard to go into all the caches in the right order so the notes would be chronologically sequential in thte pib boy. I recall reading the whole story brought a tear to my eye too. Great work Max!
Even after all he has seen and done, Randall Clark kept his humanity. It would have been so easy to slip into depression, but he lives up to being called: The Survivalist. I think I’ll a build based on him.
He's essentially Mad Max, a character that becomes a legend. Wanting to die but fueled by muscle memory and instinct to survive. He helps people from a distance and he's haunted by his past. He just needed a car.
Last fallout I played was new Vegas like a couple months ago haven’t completed 2 of the 4 dlcs but I’ve never been more immersed into a game since playing metro the metro series
Until now i always thought that the vault dwellers "ate their dead for strength" so they can flee! Never occurred to me that Randall was talking about himself here.
Max, thank you for introducing me to the DLC that i never heard of until just now, but also a character that inspires and incites such philosophical meditation and in Fallout nevertheless! I've only ever played Fallout 3 and 4 briefly for 1 hour but like you, I found it was not my cup of tea and that was when I never knew fallout had such lore looming if only I continued and got new vegas and completed the other games. Now, I know I am addicted or allured by characters' philosophy and worldbuilding and am humbled by it unlike before where I would oppose and vehemently refuse to try games like Fallout. So much love, man! I liked the video. Stay yellow.
I'm so glad you decided to give it another try. When Max said he couldn't get into the series while showing footage from Fallout 4, of all things, my hardcore fallout fan heart just dropped. It's like trying to get into Silent Hill and playing Downpour or Origins. Of course it's not your cup of tea, it's not anyone's cup of tea :D
@@kseniav586 Yeah, and I must say Max has an incredible narration voice in that you could really feel the desperation and seriousness and nihilistic tone of his Randall Clark. He should be in some acting! Would love to try out the SH games, anyhow
@@dasuero7489 Yes I also commented about his voice acting, it's superb. One of the reasons Joshua is so popular is because of his voice, I feel if Max voiced Randall he wouldn't be very far behind :D
Randall left a legacy that is more than worth his years of suffering and will carry on longer after he was gone. I hope he realizes that before his end.
Randall Clark is a character who is really a foil to Joshua Graham. Their actions are similar, but their reasons tend to be different. One is fueled by anger, the other regret, but often these lead to the same kinds of actions. They are both driven by sheer force of will, but Graham can explain why he presses on while Clark cannot. Joshua Graham is a man of ideologies and faith, but Clark is focused more on his individual state, or those who he feels a more tribal, direct connection to. Again, there's similarities in how those two paths converge, both doing what they do for somebody else's benefit. The real beauty to me is that the two characters are in conflict, despite living hundreds of years apart. People often point to the differences between Daniel and Graham, but the added layer there is that Daniel's chosen tribe to advise (the Sorrows) is really Randall Clark's tribe, while Graham advises the Dead Horses. Graham believes that wrath will drives out the enemies of these tribes, while Daniel cares more about fleeing and not militarizing them. Why? Because the faith of the Sorrows, the product of everything Randall Clark did, was to secure their "innocence". What finally gave the man who suffered so greatly satisfaction in death was not inflicting righteous violence against a gentile threat. "It's been a gift to me, at the end of it all, to behold innocence". The last request Clark makes of the children who would become The Sorrows reads a lot like what Graham preaches. In a sense they both end up in a similar place, but what Graham advocates for is really the shedding of that innocence that Clark had sacrificed to much to attain.
I was expecting you simply telling the story of Randall and that's all but I just find a wonderful video about one of the best character written in fallout. Hope you keep up new Vegas and touch some of the conflict of hoover dam. Also, want to point out that looking the story of Randall was my main reason to choose an specific ending in the honest hearts, you will know when you get there, and how I feel is the best way for the sorrows to end.
@@kseniav586 the fight ending, I didn't want to spoil the ending to max but after playing trough honest hearts and seeing Randall story I just choose the let them live in their land, I feel like Daniel doesn't give the tribe to much credit in being "inocent" when their culture isn't about being innocent, is about surviving just like Randall did in those years. And may in the fight ending finally get the Zion they always deserved.
@@mkarg5012Oh, I agree. When Daniel says something to the extent of "it's just a piece of land" -- it clearly isn't just a piece of land. It's their home. He loves the Sorrows but does not understand them or their values.
It is because of Randell's story I will always choose to evacuate the Sorrows from Zion, as it keeps their innocence as Randell wanted. Every time I play honest hearts I will make it a point to get all his stashes and read all his terminal entries.
Fantastic video, but I saw one error - Randall did not eat the Vault 22 dwellers he killed. When he wrote the entry detailing their flight from the valley, he was describing the actions of the few surviving members, who "ate their dead for strength, then struck out SE". He had plenty of supplies - no need to risk catching their disease by eating them. Why would Randall go southeast? After his `shopping trip` into SLC, he never left Zion again.
This made me think of my dad. He died at 72 last may. Towards the end got me in the feels deeply. Love your parents or whoever you have, appreciate them, and show your care for them.
If there was ever to be a single character in any video game to get a series, The Survivalist is the one that MUST get their story told. Elijah, Ulysses, and House would be interesting tales but no one is more worthy than The Survivalist himself.
I'm a simple girl. I see Fallout, I click.
@asdf jkl; cringe
We won't give up easy, the legion can count on that
I'm a simple bandits i see a man wearing a power armor using a Fatman i attack
NEW VEGAS ALMSOT MEAKEANSNENT A NUBRELEAR BINGTER
Same
Randall Clark is genuinely one of the best written pieces of world building and ambient story telling in any video game for me, it shows why some of the tribes consider areas taboo, why they don't enter caves, their mythology and religion and beliefs. It's all because of Randall and I just absolutely love that even before Joshua came to Zion for Religious reasons and protects it for the same reason, we had another protector and savior of the innocent within the same holy land. He's my favorite character in all of Fallout with Joshua following very closely behind
Completely agree! I missed all of Randall on my first run and only discovered his story recently, he's so fascinating. It's also a very rewarding player experience to explore the canyon looking for his hideouts and putting the pieces together. I remember dropping the main story completely because I need to learn why he killed all those vault 22 guys.
So you haven’t played souls games then… idiot
@Miles Doyle this is a whole can of worms I don’t wanna touch with a 20 mile pole so imma just say this don’t preach on a TH-cam comment section, it’s cringe and unwanted, don’t shove your religion down other peoples throats it just isn’t fun or nice to do. thank you and have a good day
Arret! He had the best rifle survivalist rifle
I have some wishes on finding remnants of the people he either attacked or helped. It pains me that such a well built character was all done through an unmarked quest line of exploration. If only Bethesda and obsidian made more characters both dead and alive like this
12:25
I don't believe Randall cannibalized the dead, I believe that sentence is saying that the remaining 34 dwellers from vault 22 ate their own dead before heading southeast, having decided that it wasn't worth living in this area anymore
For sure. That is what he means just by the sentence structure alone he is talking about the vault dwellers, not himself. I was so confused by him saying Randall was resorting to cannibalism.
Men this one hit hard, the fact that such a wonderful story hidden in a subplot on a DLC makes it like a treasure, a hidden gem.
It always be even discussed by religious bots
I wore his armor for most the game. One of my favorite side stories.
@Miles Doyle Calm it down Joshua Graham
@@derekcox543 damn, its Daniel
@Miles Doyle mucho texto
@@thetau4866 damn daniel
@Miles Doyle This has nothing to do with the topic and everything to do with your pride. You are disgracing Christianity and Jesus by spamming like some holyer than though Pharisees. Stop it.
As someone who has struggled with depression and attempted suicide, the ending of this video is so meaningful. The concept of living just to hold on to the few moments of good, even if it requires a lifetime of bad and failures. Understanding that the small amounts of good we find in this world even if it’s just a memory, is equal or greater to all of the bad. That those moments are worth livings for, even if it’s living through hell.
As a husband and a parent, having almost thrown it all away because I in my mental instability couldn’t see the value of living to hold and cherish those moments. Even if you feel you are a failure and your best intentions only hurt those around you. If you don’t keep living, you are also taking away the possibility of those moments from your loved ones as well. This really has connected with me and connects with what I found to be true, after surviving and getting the help I needed.
Life is not about how we measure value in ourselves or of our deeds. But it’s about the value of those finding those moments of good, despite all of the terrible things we cause or go through to get there.
At a base level things are not balanced between good and bad. Life is not easy or happy, or good, but is it worth living? Absolutely! It is.
Thank you max for the wonderful video and your experience and thoughts you share on it.
Big ups for still being with us Seth, life's always gonna be tough, all we need is courage to do our best with what we have, and you've showed it, big ups brother.
@@tjt6821 I appreciate it. It’s been over 3 years now, but the clarity of vision you get right after fades over time. No matter how painful or uncomfortable certain memories can be. I try to embrace things that pull any of that clarity back into focus. Thank you again for the kind words. But honestly I’m not the one in need as much anymore. I try to be open about these things in hopes it might help just one other person get to skip a few of the final steps in the road I went down.
@Miles Doyle wtf
@Miles Doyle so… a few things.
1: I genuinely appreciate the time and effort you have taken to write all of your reply. I take it as a compliment that my comment relating to mental health, moved you to show an over abundance of care for my eternal soul.
2: I have zero desire to entertain these types of conversations in the comments section of someone else’s video, especially one that is so heavily talking about mental health. Which is what the comments should stay positive and focused around, or about how much we enjoyed the video and the content creator.
3: although I am choosing to view your comments in good faith, as you wanting to share something that has brought a lot of joy and meaning to your life. I do not enjoy reading verse filled writing used as a method to try and save others by shoving personal beliefs unprompted in peoples faces. Most of what you wrote has so little context in to connect to my original comment, or even a cohesive narrative throughout the entire comment. Besides just the verses you are quoting without contextually connecting it to a point or reason for why you are even writing it….. besides all that, you didn’t write anything original or of independent thoughts that would again give any context to why you are quoting anything. It’s the equivalent of someone barging into an event and randomly shouting scriptures and saying how they will save everyone’s souls. First off, you are about 2 decade’s short of being able to save my soul by using scripture to try and cobble together a point that could guilt trip / connect with emotions of hurting individuals who will listen to the first grift that tells them they are special. I’m not saying you are intentionally trying to do this, but you are regurgitating talking points and the style of people are grifter’s and sociopaths. I spent 25 years in many different churches and being involved in several leadership positions and appointments. I have heard every way people use scripture to try and say a point for them, that they can’t argue or justify by themselves without relying on using “Gods Word” to give it any credentials or weight. I have spent far more time watching and hearing people being gaslighted, guilted, belittled, and made to feel worthless, all in the guise of love and caring. I have seen far to many people including myself, believing that what they do is an act of love and not just establishing control over peoples lives and choices. So next time you want to “save someone”. Maybe you should think about if you are doing it for them, or yourself. And finally on this topic, besides verse’s and trying to cold sell religion with overused rhetoric, the only other substance you had in your comment, negative and insulting takes about another religion which usually corresponds to some level of underlying racism and bigotry. Hot tip, when you want to share gods love with others, maybe try not puke out a bunch of hateful and divisive speech that shows your actual beliefs of others. It might work a bit better for you if you left that part out.
3: I would prefer of you don’t leave reply’s on anything I write that is not regarding what I actually said or relates to the comment or video in any way. Thank you.
Me and my eternal soul are grateful you took the time to read all of this, and will now promptly not be spending more time thinking about this interruption.
@@sebl9198 couldn’t have said it better myself. I did try in an overly written comment. But your response was more concise.
I think you misinterpreted the bit 12min in. The survivalist never resorted to cannibalism. He killed the Vault 22 survivors, up until there were 34 of them. At that point those 34 survivors ate their dead, then left South East.
Did I actually fuck that up? Damn it. xD
@@maxderrat Seems like it. Still, I suspect his methods for killing them were... less then painless.. or instant.
Oh I just commented that. Absolutely.
@@maxderrat Understandable error to make given Randall's writing style. Your point stands given the depravity of his implied enjoyment of the killings. Awesome video.
@@maxderrat it happens man. Rest of it's good. it's more like the 2 separate sentences that should be combined. The whole ate the remaining dead doesn't really state who ate In the sentence
He’s the only reason I chose the Desert Ranger Combat Armor over everything else. No power armor, nor NCR Ranger Armor. I ended the game wearing that knowing the previous wearer was the legend we know as Randall Clark.
I wish you could talk to someone in game about this. Like imagine being able to talk to boone or raul and telling them about his story, with three ways to describe each part of the story
I wear it as well
So do I. Sometimes I go back to Zion to visit the place where he died. Just stare at the night sky which The Survivalist saw at his final moment.
@@engliships2126 That just made me imagine an auto generated Raul voice telling you something he knew or did that he wasn't aware was related to that story due to his age.
"Saw a map with some American bases pointed out on it once and struck out toward one of them.." or sumfink like that.
How did randall get the armor
Excellent analysis, my man. "The Father in the Cave" is one of those story elements that stuck with me long after playing FONV, and part of the reason I love this franchise so much. I'm glad to see him get the Max Derrat treatment.
Literally cried discovering his story … lad is a legend
I remember tearing up when I found his body; I didn’t even search the bag. I just had a feeling he had done exactly what he did.
The thing I adore most about the whole survivalist side story is how well connected it is; it’s a perfect blend of past story, present discovery, and rewarding the player for their time. I’m not sure how many ways or times it could work, but this one sure as hell does.
Imagine going from this level of story telling to the boy in the fridge 🤯
Different writers. Different studios.
Some blame Emil, though, the lead writer for FO4 … he was great for the Dark Brotherhood quest line in Oblivion and did memorable side quest stories, but being the lead writer for a whole game’s story _and_ its side quests? Seems it just wasn’t the job for him. I get that there was a whole team under him that did a lot of the bad writing also, but when your name is at the top…. plus, he basically implied the player base was too dumb to have elaborate stories, so it should be dumbed down essentially.
“You can write the greatest American novel with comedy and tragedy, but the players will take that story and rip its pages off and make paper airplanes.”
With the Far Harbor DLC, you can tell someone else (Will Shen) wrote it because it’s actually pretty decent and a bit reminiscent of FNV with choice and consequence - minus the memory puzzle game …
Fallout writing is a complete dice roll with Bethesda. Either we get some amazing content up to the level of the classics or something that felt like an idea ripped from a doodle on a whiteboard.
I always loved Honest Hearts for this “hidden” story. It really got deep inside my mind when i read it the first time. Happy to see other people appreciating this small part of a Masterpiece.
@Miles Doyle yeah no one's gonna read your comment, also im reporting you for spamming and flooding.
I love the Point Lookout in Fallout 3 for similar reason, there is a quest that makes you move around the whole map, quite a interesting trip.
Just as we never know when our own time comes, it is important to bear in mind that you never know when the touch of your most casual kindness may pull someone back from the abyss, or your pettiest cruelty may cast them into it.
You don’t need to be perfect, you just have to be there for someone at the perfect time.
Dude, that comment really resonated with me. I am so going to steal it and maybe use it in a novel I am attempting to write.
@@graysalmon5650 I'm glad I could inspire you.
Not as grandiose as what I was saying, but it's a good example of the effect I was talking about.
Millions of videos and books on deep philosophy, and someone finds inspiration in an internet comment.
@@Nevir202 Muses are fickle creatures, they strike when they have the desire to do so. Thanks for the words.
Pretty sure when it says "ate their dead for strength", it's referring to the 34 remaining dwellers eating their dead, not Randell
So they left for the South East after?
Kinda figured as much. Man was a survivor, so he never had to stoop to cannibalism to feed himself.
Randall Clark, the "Father in the Cave" is an absolutely fantastic character, one of the most memorable ones I've ever had the chance of knowing about. I remember playing the game and reading his notes, his history, and being absolutely entranced by it. Absolutely fantastic character. Finding his remains later in the game was sad but also a very "hopeful" moment for me. Despite everything he blamed himself for and all the hell that he went through after the bombs fell he, in a way, managed to live way beyond his resting place.
Reminds me of Guts from Berserk, when he just wanted to die but his body kept reacting for him no matter how dire the situation as if surviving came to him naturally.
12:19 Why do so many misinterpret this? Randall DID NOT cannibalize the slain Vault 22 dwellers. What he was saying here was that the surviving 34 dwellers ATE THEIR OWN DEAD for strength before leaving Zion.
Yea oxhorn said the same thing, im guessing this guy watched his video first? Though the wording is a little confusing, maybe it is a coincidence
My personal favorite character as well. As a massive FNV fan whenever the "what faction would be best for the Mojave wasteland" conversation happens, I say the father in the caves.
And Desert Rangers
The most emotional experience I've ever had playing a video game comes from the old world blues dlc after you collect every sink appliance function and personality upgrades. I would love to see you experience it and hear what you have to say about the themes of personhood and artificial intelligence!
Oh yes, that's the best part of that DLC. Even after leaving the Big Empty I keep collecting cups and bringing them back to muggy for some reason.
@Miles Doyle why?
I remember how empty I had felt after I had put together his whole story.
Came close to the young woman in FO4, who got trapped at work. Though in her case the amazing work of the voice actress added a lot to this small, but sad scene, that showed, what people had gone through after the bombs had fallen.
Wait are you talking about the girl who was trapped in the house just south of Bunker hill? And became a bloated glowing one? Dude I literally just came across that while playing yesterday
Fo4 really craps the bed on a lot of things but that was actually one of the few times I've been genuinely interested in something that happened in such a small area
@@Dislike-kq9uq That story was another good one, true! But I meant a different one. In case you haven't found it yet: Take a really good look around once you get to Fallon's.
@@SeiichirouUta the Trap house?
@@Dislike-kq9uq Fallon's Department Store. The exact location inside it might be easier to find if you get the distress signal beforehand.
This story has me reminded of when Fallout 76 first released.
Where every survivor has either been killed off or infected by the Scorched Plague, and all they have are terminal entries.
But the difference is that while you have a secured bunker full of Vault dwellers, the only thing you're learning is to not repeat the same mistakes.
Not teaching an entirely new generation how to live in this world they already find themselves in.
Randall's story was heavy. I remember stopping playing and having a cigarette after. The way he describes the joy of seeing true innocence and nurturing it at the end of things making it all worth it really hit me
Good to see Randalls finally getting the recognition he deserves. Hes my favourite part of new vegas
Im so happy you're getting around to this. And that your starting off with such a strong topic. I see great things ahead
Always a good day when Max Derrat uploads
The thought of him resisting the urge to commit suicide while living in such misery, just to preserve the memory of them nearly brought me to tears. That's so profoundly beautiful, yet deeply tragic and heartbreaking.
This story gave me an experience no other story had before, an experience I'll be lucky if I ever have again. When I first talked to the Sorrows tribe and heard about their "Father" I immediately assumed it was just some story a dev through in there to fill space. I continued to think that until I got to the end of the survivalist's story and read the word "sorrows." Then the two stories clicked together in an incredibly satisfying way. What made this so good was how suddenly everything came together. Imagin if you separately finished two different puzzles and were about to put them away when you noticed one detail they shared, then suddenly your entire perspective on the two puzzles shifted until it was clear they were two halves of one. Then your just left thinking "how am I just seeing this now?"
There was a time where I was suicidal and thinking of really going through with it. I was frustrated with my life and even angry with my parents for somehow failing me. I thought "I'm worthless, a burden on the world, and screw how it would make my parents feel, maybe they deserve it". It was only when I remembered my younger brother and thought about what my suicide would do to his life that I realized I couldn't do it. I remember the day he was born and I would never forgive anyone who truly hurt him, including myself. That's what this story reminded me of.
Those acts of kindness that inspired those children were divine. There's a little bit of divinity in everyone and maybe we're right to deify those people who are able to embody that inner divinity and allow it to manifest in such a powerful way. Impacting people's lives and giving them meaning like that really is a miracle, even if it's not as flashy as rising from the dead or walking on water. Having any meaning at all in your life is a miracle, it's a divine gift. And if you're able to give that sense of meaning to the lives of others, you might as well be bringing the dead back to life.
I wish my brothers cared about me like that
Incredibly well made, Randall Clark was always a character I stuck to in New Vegas. I have well over 2000 hours in the game yet still get sad thinking and reading about it, and yet still also uplifted by how things went. Your video is something I'm glad was made. It shines light on a character many people miss. Thank you.
Absolutely amazing video! Whoever at obsidian came up with this story isn't payed enough.
Also the fact that this story goes unnoticed if you're not invested in the lore enough, only makes it better to discover.
Again, amazing work Max.
It was John Gonzalez. He either left or was let go, after Obsidian's next game was cancelled. He eventually joined Guerilla Games, and was responsible for Horizon:ZD.
The story of Randall reminds me of the story of Jake from "I'm thinking of ending things". Both characters struggle with the constant wish to end their lives while continuing to live despite their hopelessness. Both characters end up in the same place Randall ends up leaving his life with something happy even after all the pain he went through while Jake ends up being stuck in a whirlpool of loneliness and sadness with no escape. Just interesting how the two have physical similarities in where they go and how their lives end but their spiritual journies end up being wildly different.
i really like the fact that there's a patch of plants growing on the rock behind his skull and nowhere else on the thing
almost feels like xion itself is trying to reach out and comfort him in his death
Didn't watch you die, Char. Saved my eyes. Counted 12 more flashes next 7 minutes. Ground shook each time, 18 seconds later.
I've been replaying the game recently and his story always make me teary eyed thank you for making this vid ❤️
Max, dude, this is just what I needed during a time when I feel a bit head spun about the world and my place in it. The ending of this video really caught me off guard and hit me with a big OOOOOF right in the feels. Great stuff 👏
His memory was the reason I sided with Graham to protect zion. He told them to fight back to protect themselves.
The best discoverable story in Fallout.
I remember one playthrough where a White Legs tribal took his rifle from his pack, and I was so pissed I dismembered them.
"How DARE You Touch His Belongings"
This video is a surprising one that warms my heart, I always loved this story and I’m so happy to see you giving it the attention it so dearly deserves.
Edit: wait till you get to Veronica and her lover In dead money, hell dead money in general. Also don’t tell my dad I said hell.
@Miles Doyle I was with you all up until you got a little harsh on Muslims. You may disagree with the religion and it’s practices or historical facts but do please remember that even christianity and catholics have had there own troubles.
No religion is perfect and wile Jesus might have been that does not mean we all need to be now. For if he died for our sins and walks with us as you say then we are all saved. With that said focus of the teachings rather then the spread of the message, it will spread itself through work not walls of text. I appreciate you sharing tho and do wish you the best, maybe pick up a Koran tho and read it then speak to someone experienced with it before you just base it on whatever historical facts you may seem to know. Just a friendly suggestion tho.
@Miles Doyle the hell are you talking about
@twizzm ?
Vera Keyes and Frederick Sinclair’s story is so heartbreaking.
The pint sized slasher? Or maybe Chance? You are right, Randal Clark has got to be the most thought provoking character that you never meet. Great video.
I remember reading this set of entries for the first time. I was blown away by how good it ended up being. One of the best parts of the DLC, singlehandedly.
That sas a great retelling of a Randell's story.
No matter how many times I have read this story, or have watched video essays covering his story, I never fail to me entertained by everyone's narration of it.
Really beautiful video, and I really appreciate the way you talked about Randall at the end. Really well put on the kindness in the man's heart.
My very first play through of Honest Hearts, I found Randall Clark's first journal entry very early, and my main quest became finding the rest of them. When I decided to crush the white legs, it wasn't doing it for Joshua Graham. I was doing it because Randall would have done it.
When I was on my way to confront the final white legs camp with Joshua Graham, it was then that I finally found the final resting place of Randall Clark, his farewell message to the Sorrows. And his gun.
Learning Randall Clark's story, donning his armor, and using that deafening rifle to protect the sorrows tribe, whom Randall had given Zion to? Righteous.
One of the best gaming moments of my life.
Great video. I remember playing through all this as a kid and it brought me to tears. The greatest fallout backstory.
I could honestly listen to max narrate all the survivalist notes. He reads them exactly how I expect them too sound
Not just in New Vegas, but in all of Fallout. This was a man who witnessed the end of the world. Lost his Pre-War family to the bombs. Spent his entire life surviving out in Zion National Park with minimum human interaction. Yet he retained his compassion and his sanity through it all. This was a man who spent his entire life losing those who he cared for, from a group of Mexican survivors, to his second wife and their child. In the end, when age was getting the best of him, he devoted the last of days aiding and teaching from a distance to a group of children who traveled to Zion.
Many times, he had contemplated suicide. Many times, he had nearly given up on his pre-war principles.
Many times, he had to endure failure and loss.
But in the end, he kept his humanity and devoted his life to helping those when they were in need. Helping and caring for those who few would even meet him or know his name.
By far, a masterpiece of a character with a truly heart-wrenching story, and the fact that his story doesn’t come from a quest or an NPC, but instead a little devotion to exploring and reading a few terminals. God, THIS. This is how you write a game. This is why New Vegas is considered to be a gaming masterpiece. The level of story writing is just absolutely amazing.
The first time I played through Honest Hearts, I found some caves but not all. I'm so glad I went back and found them all and read his story. There's so much about him that reminds me of my own father, who I lost last year. His initials were also RC, too. But even before his passing, this story and how it reminded me of him would break me down in tears. Just like this story did again today. Kudos to the team who wrote his story, because it's one of the most impactful in all of gaming IMO. And thanks for covering it so well.
2:32 That's the beauty of Obsidian's writing (and its progenitor Black Isle)
If I remember correctly I once spent about 2 weeks doing nothing but playing New Vegas in my free time. When I finally put it down I felt incredibly disconnected from my surroundings 😬
I've actually had the exact same thing happen to me. Played it for two and a half weeks nonstop, real world felt oddly fake afterwards.
@Miles Doyle he loves me and knows everything about me yet he sends me someone someone trigger my religious trauma? Yeah right. Nice one.
I will always watch videos about The Survivalist. Randall is one of my favorite characters in all of Fiction.
Honestly out of all of the characters in the fallout series, his story was always the biggest to me. Not even the existential crises of The Master, or long and horrowing tale of Herbert, or even the main characters from any game had as much of an impact on me as a player than Randel did.
It may be because i also suffer from a similar dilemma; Wanting death now, yet fearing it so deeply. Yet wanting eternal life, yet fearing it so deeply. And while i have had a cushy life in comparison, and most certainly never lost anything nearly as valued as he had... i can relate to that struggle. That pain of failing. That need for continueing yet wishing it be over.. the dire moments that all it would take is just some guy walking in with a gun and solving it all for you. And the horrific reality as that never happens. Forced to constantly take one step at a time despite your conflicting wishes, no matter how badly it hurts.
Ive gotten better since those days, but the feeling still lingers on occasion. But i can still look back at things like Randels tale, and i cant help but empathise. If i wanted to die for my minor reasons (in comparison).. what true pain and anguish... what true frustration he had to live with every... single day.
That will stick with me forever.
In a way... randal was kinda like the father to us, too. Leaving us the best rifle, the coolest set of armor. And all the sentimental motivation in world.
I still think about how well crafted this story is, ive just had a baby too. So this really really hits different now.
I found his story, but only a part of it, the beginning and the end, didn't realize that there is so much more and he was still very memorable.
Amazing job on my favorite fallout character, i agree with all of this!
Thank you for pairing the holotape writing with backgrounds from the game, makes the perfect combination ive left up to my imagination all these years!
This is the cuisine of in depth analysis of Fallout. You sir are an artist.
Your final line of this video helped me feel better since I’ve been going through a lot of depression and being the cause of social strife in my relationships with loved ones. I really need that, thank you
We are going to start making video about him too, soon. Such an incredible character! Loved this video, Max!
You kinda glossed over the war crimes and PTSD parts. Also, the arrival of the ghouls in Zion and the positive effect it had on him. Still good video.
Randal Clark's Story is so well told.. and its all just text on screens, and environmental storytelling. it leaves it up to the player to piece it all together. its heart wrenching the things he went through.. the things his family and wives went through. what he did to try keep the settlers of zion safe from the Vault22 jack asses. he kept going until he couldn't any more. he left behind all the resources he could so those coming across his camps would have a chance at surviving in the world.
The final DLC for New Vegas is one of the best stories you'll ever experience Old World Blues has references that help the story as well.
It was already being hinted at in the main story, because Ulysses was supposed to be a companion, but got cut in order to be used in the expansions. Then it got referenced in Dead Money (with Father Elijah and Christine), a little bit in Honest Hearts (with Joshua Graham referring to you being a courier, and how he was expecting a *different* courier to come after him), and then of course very much so in OWB, with all the sites he went to, and who he spoke with.
Oh no. Max found the peak Obsidian
Honest Hearts > Old World Blues > Lonesome Road > Dead Money
Seriously though, The Survivalist was a good character to me too. His was not my personal favorite story, that title goes to Vault 22. I read your description, and based on what you said I recommend Jacobstown to you if you haven't already been there. I sunk over 1,000 hours into New Vegas so you can take my word on good faith.
Give Dead Money another try. FNV's best bit, in terms of writing and gameplay.
I also see Max covering Father Elijah, at some point.
Dead Money > Old World Blues > Honest Hearts = Lonesome Road
@@jaydamalley3398 i wouldn't call the Dead Money's gameplay the strongest in the FNV. While i appreciate that they tried to make it harder and lean into survivalist aspect, it falls down pretty quickly, around midpoint of the DLC. Then it just becomes a regular FNV gameplay, but with more enemies that are tougher
The writing is pretty good tho, the God/Dog and Christine being my favorites, despite one of them having only a few lines of voiced dialogue lmao
OWB 4EVER!
@@volodymyrbilyk555 AHAHAHAHA! I AM ONLINE ONCE AGAIN! TREMBLE WORLD, BEFORE MY ELECTRIC HEATING COIL OF DOOM!
Definitely my very favorite character of all of the fallout world, he reminds me very deeply of myself and how I truly hope I would respond under similar circumstances
Every time I’ve played Honest Hearts, I’ve been mediocre on returning to Zion. Then I remember Randall, find his entries and realize the people in the Valley are his legacy. Shockingly amazing writing, idk how they did it
12:16
I think you misread Clark's entry.
He's referring to the Coughers/Vault 22 dwellers when he says "All 34 that still lived. Ate their dead for strength, then struck out SE"
Unless I'm forgetting another passage, to me he's talking about the Vault dwellers. Given their introduction as cannibals and what we know about Vault 22 (the vault is overcome with deadly plant life in the main game) it's possible they ate only meat as a form of culture.
Max makes some of the best and most thought-provoking content on TH-cam! If it was not for his MGS2 videos, I would never have found his channel. Thank you for the great videos, Max, and keep up the great work!
This really helped me. It hits a lot of notes of the depression im in at the moment aside from the end of the world and cannibalism lol.
I have played fonv and it’s dlc multiple times and every time I play I find all terminals and reread entries because it’s such a good story. Great story telling makes you feel something, makes you feel the emotions of another person, Clark’s story does that.
Randal Clarks final entry is the main reason I chose to side with Joshua when I first played. Back then I was very protective of innocence and I felt David's need to protect the childlike sorrows. But reading Randal's struggles and finding little bits of hope showed me how wrong I was. I was wrongfully connecting innocence with happiness, sure innocence has happiness but it's fragile and is more akin to ignorance which cannot protect it's happiness. Unfortunately you cannot be around forever to guard it. Siding with David is just herding sheep to the inevitable slaughter, but siding with Joshua helps the sorrows guard the land that made their life so wonderful in the first place and therefore happiness wouldn't die out once their guardian did. Randal's life had much more meaning than he ever could realize because through his suffering, a paradise was created for people that would appreciate it.
Damn man...got me choking back tears in the shower....rip Randal
Finally somebody notice, tryed to talk about this with anybody for years. Thank you.
you see i would never have heard of Randall if i never clicked on this video. he seems like a pretty cool dude. thanks for the video.
The Father (Survivalist) and Graham carried the DLC. Which is in a way, due to context, obviously intended and amazing. I'm not religious. Quite the contrary. And yes I appreciated both characters so much. I also appreciated that the Survivalist's story is hidden. Felt like it was done for the people like me. The ones who go looking. Searching for explanations, maybe even the truth. I was rewarded with a character that reflected my view of things. Of the world and humanity. Someone that showed that in the end, we don't need a omnipotent deity which likely is just one of the oldest coping mechanisms anyway. We can be our own salvation, uplift and safeguard each other. Especially from those who want to harm us. The Zion tribes calling him the Father, due to the notes, which they and us never got to see, was such a nice touch and it makes you wish, they knew. But in the end, some seemingly just fare better by not knowing and maybe that's okay.
I remember getting so lost in his story, beautifully done
In all of the Side Stories and Side characters of The Fallout universe, Randall's story was the only one that brought tears to my eyes.
A man, a myth, a legend
I always found this story the most touching piece of writing in the whole series. I seem to remember Noah Caldwell-Gervais did too. As for J.G, I found him vaguely interesting but not terribly compelling. I liked the companion characters more, generally, although that might just be due to spending more time with them. Regardless, it cheers me no end to see you feel the same about Randall Clark. I remember trying onn my second playthrough desperately hard to go into all the caches in the right order so the notes would be chronologically sequential in thte pib boy. I recall reading the whole story brought a tear to my eye too. Great work Max!
Even after all he has seen and done, Randall Clark kept his humanity. It would have been so easy to slip into depression, but he lives up to being called: The Survivalist. I think I’ll a build based on him.
I resonated with the Father. His story inspired so many feelings that none of the others did.
He's essentially Mad Max, a character that becomes a legend. Wanting to die but fueled by muscle memory and instinct to survive. He helps people from a distance and he's haunted by his past. He just needed a car.
Last fallout I played was new Vegas like a couple months ago haven’t completed 2 of the 4 dlcs but I’ve never been more immersed into a game since playing metro the metro series
I watched a full 40 minute video about the survivalist and I didn't even know he was a cannibal.
Good video lad! 👍
Such a good character
Videos about the lore of random dead npcs is why I love video game content on TH-cam. This video was beautiful.
Until now i always thought that the vault dwellers "ate their dead for strength" so they can flee! Never occurred to me that Randall was talking about himself here.
Max, thank you for introducing me to the DLC that i never heard of until just now, but also a character that inspires and incites such philosophical meditation and in Fallout nevertheless! I've only ever played Fallout 3 and 4 briefly for 1 hour but like you, I found it was not my cup of tea and that was when I never knew fallout had such lore looming if only I continued and got new vegas and completed the other games. Now, I know I am addicted or allured by characters' philosophy and worldbuilding and am humbled by it unlike before where I would oppose and vehemently refuse to try games like Fallout. So much love, man! I liked the video. Stay yellow.
I'm so glad you decided to give it another try. When Max said he couldn't get into the series while showing footage from Fallout 4, of all things, my hardcore fallout fan heart just dropped. It's like trying to get into Silent Hill and playing Downpour or Origins. Of course it's not your cup of tea, it's not anyone's cup of tea :D
@@kseniav586 Yeah, and I must say Max has an incredible narration voice in that you could really feel the desperation and seriousness and nihilistic tone of his Randall Clark. He should be in some acting! Would love to try out the SH games, anyhow
@@dasuero7489 Yes I also commented about his voice acting, it's superb. One of the reasons Joshua is so popular is because of his voice, I feel if Max voiced Randall he wouldn't be very far behind :D
Randall left a legacy that is more than worth his years of suffering and will carry on longer after he was gone. I hope he realizes that before his end.
I wish that we could tell the Sorrows about Randall. Show them his remains and who he really was.
Randall is literally the definition of the Indomitable Human Spirit.
Can't wait until you get to Ulysses
Randall Clark is a character who is really a foil to Joshua Graham. Their actions are similar, but their reasons tend to be different. One is fueled by anger, the other regret, but often these lead to the same kinds of actions. They are both driven by sheer force of will, but Graham can explain why he presses on while Clark cannot. Joshua Graham is a man of ideologies and faith, but Clark is focused more on his individual state, or those who he feels a more tribal, direct connection to. Again, there's similarities in how those two paths converge, both doing what they do for somebody else's benefit.
The real beauty to me is that the two characters are in conflict, despite living hundreds of years apart. People often point to the differences between Daniel and Graham, but the added layer there is that Daniel's chosen tribe to advise (the Sorrows) is really Randall Clark's tribe, while Graham advises the Dead Horses. Graham believes that wrath will drives out the enemies of these tribes, while Daniel cares more about fleeing and not militarizing them. Why? Because the faith of the Sorrows, the product of everything Randall Clark did, was to secure their "innocence". What finally gave the man who suffered so greatly satisfaction in death was not inflicting righteous violence against a gentile threat. "It's been a gift to me, at the end of it all, to behold innocence".
The last request Clark makes of the children who would become The Sorrows reads a lot like what Graham preaches. In a sense they both end up in a similar place, but what Graham advocates for is really the shedding of that innocence that Clark had sacrificed to much to attain.
I was expecting you simply telling the story of Randall and that's all but I just find a wonderful video about one of the best character written in fallout. Hope you keep up new Vegas and touch some of the conflict of hoover dam.
Also, want to point out that looking the story of Randall was my main reason to choose an specific ending in the honest hearts, you will know when you get there, and how I feel is the best way for the sorrows to end.
Can you elaborate which ending you chose for them?
@@kseniav586 the fight ending, I didn't want to spoil the ending to max but after playing trough honest hearts and seeing Randall story I just choose the let them live in their land, I feel like Daniel doesn't give the tribe to much credit in being "inocent" when their culture isn't about being innocent, is about surviving just like Randall did in those years. And may in the fight ending finally get the Zion they always deserved.
@@mkarg5012Oh, I agree. When Daniel says something to the extent of "it's just a piece of land" -- it clearly isn't just a piece of land. It's their home. He loves the Sorrows but does not understand them or their values.
It is because of Randell's story I will always choose to evacuate the Sorrows from Zion, as it keeps their innocence as Randell wanted. Every time I play honest hearts I will make it a point to get all his stashes and read all his terminal entries.
Fantastic video, but I saw one error - Randall did not eat the Vault 22 dwellers he killed. When he wrote the entry detailing their flight from the valley, he was describing the actions of the few surviving members, who "ate their dead for strength, then struck out SE". He had plenty of supplies - no need to risk catching their disease by eating them. Why would Randall go southeast? After his `shopping trip` into SLC, he never left Zion again.
This made me think of my dad. He died at 72 last may. Towards the end got me in the feels deeply. Love your parents or whoever you have, appreciate them, and show your care for them.
“A man’s character is most evident by how he treats those who are not in a position either to retaliate or reciprocate.”
― Paul Eldridge
From one badass desert wanderer to another, I salute you Randall.
The survivalists story almost always makes me tear up a little.
If there was ever to be a single character in any video game to get a series, The Survivalist is the one that MUST get their story told. Elijah, Ulysses, and House would be interesting tales but no one is more worthy than The Survivalist himself.