Summary
TheFalloutseries is rife with pop culture references, from theCheers-themed interiors in Probst bar to theFallout 4Courser uniform that looks like it could be worn by Blade Runner’s Roy Batty. The games usually keep these callbacks subtle, often changing up the look of the items or places and giving them different names. However, one item type inFallout 4is an outright reference to a group of specialists in the science fiction novel and movie franchiseDune.
WhileFallout 4leans more on sci-fi, its references aren’t limited to the genre. It refers to movies and shows in different genres, like:
There’s even aFallout 4location calledthe Dunwich Borers, which is a mine riddled with occult activity, ghouls, and weird statues. This is a callback to H.P. Lovecraft’s“The Dunwich Horror.” Finding these references is always a delight, and somehow doesn’t take away from the game’s immersion.
Fallout 4’s Mentats are an Overt Callback to Dune’s Human Computers
According toFallout 4’s official lore, Mentats are recreational drugs that affect a person’s creativity. These contain nootropics, which are also known as “smart drugs” or ”cognitive enhancers.” Users ofMentatand similar chems inFalloutreport significantly improved memory and faster mental functions. They’re also believed to curb the mind’s degeneration, which could help in managing Alzheimer’s disease. However, ingesting too much of this drug could worsen pre-existing neurological issues. With such brilliant effects on the mind’s mental ability, it’s not a surprise that these drugs are named afterDune’s Mentats, who were essentially human computers.
The Mentats in theDuneuniverse are trained to solve complex equations almost instantly. Mentats also serve as master combat tacticians and political strategists for the leaders of theDuneuniverse. This is because they can gather, analyze, and interpret data quickly and accurately. One of the most popular Mentats in this franchise isDune’s Thufir Hawat, who served House Atreides. This profession, along with the Spacing Guild and Bene Gesserit, exists because of a war that led to the banning of computers and other machines that are created to mimic the human mind.
How Mentats Work in Fallout 4
Players can easily get Mentats from chem dealers and buildings acrossFallout 4’s Boston. These usually come in tins or cardboard packs. These are pre-war items, but some people in the wasteland have come up with ways to mass-produce them. Regular Mentats offer a +2 Intelligence and Perception boost for five minutes. They can also be mixed with other chemicals and ingredients for different effects. There are five Mentat variants:
Dune’sMentats can also augment their abilities further by consuming sapho juice. This substance, likeFallout 4’s Mentat tablets can cause addiction. The effects of sapho juice dependency aren’t clearly stated in the books. InFallout 4, however, Mentat addiction withdrawal reduces Charisma by 1. Bufftat addiction has a -1 penalty for Strength and Endurance. These fictional drugs let the player experience the power of their namesake, with massively improved intelligence and perception. However, using too much of it can lead to a debilitating addiction. As such, it might just be best to leave the big brain activities to the handful of talented members ofDune’s Mentats andBene Gesserits.
Fallout 4
WHERE TO PLAY
Bethesda Game Studios, the award-winning creators of Fallout 76 and The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim, invite you to the ambitious open world of Fallout 4. Do whatever you want in a massive Commonwealth with hundreds of locations, characters and quests.As the sole survivor of Vault 111, only you can rebuild and determine the fate of the Wasteland. Join multiple factions vying for power or go it alone - the choices are yours.From a Power Armor-toting soldier to the charismatic smooth-talker, be whoever you want with the S.P.E.C.I.A.L. character system and develop your own playstyle from hundreds of Perks.Experience exciting first- or third-person combat with the dynamic Vault-Tec Assisted Targeting System, or V.A.T.S., targeting enemies for maximum tactical advantage (and cinematic carnage!) Collect, upgrade and build thousands of items with Fallout 4’s crafting system. Weapons, armor, food and with the right materials, even entire settlements are possible. Welcome home.
