Summary
One of the standout characteristics of Bethesda’sFalloutseries is its memorable characters, as each game places a significant emphasis on companions and their contributions to the player’s story.Fallout 4, for instance, is packed with over a dozen companions for players to recruit as they progress through the story. However, there is oneFallout 4character that shines quite a bit brighter than the rest, and his name is John Hancock.
John Hancock, formerly known as John McDonough, is not only one ofFallout 4’s most beloved characters, but is arguably one ofthe best ghouls in the entireFalloutseriesin terms of personality, backstory, interactions with the player, and character development. While he certainly adds to the story and world ofFallout 4, this lovable ghoul casts quite a large shadow over every other ghoul character still to come for the franchise, and that includes any that will be introduced in Amazon Prime Video’s upcoming live-actionFalloutseries.
Future Fallout Ghouls Have a Lot to Live Up to in John Hancock
Hancock Is One of the Fallout Series' Most Charismatic Characters
Fallout 4’s Hancock is beloved by the community for a multitude of reasons, but his overwhelming charisma is perhaps his most defining characteristic. From the moment players encounter him in the game, Hancock exudes charisma. His sass is sharp yet charming, and his sarcasm is often harsh but comedic. He has been deemed almost instantly likable by the majority of theFalloutcommunity, unlike some ofFallout 4’s other companions, who often require getting to know them a little more before forming an opinion about them.
Throughoutthe entireFalloutseries, rarely has there been a more charismatic character than John Hancock. As the Mayor of Goodneighbor, Hancock undoubtedly has no choice but to be charismatic, as he is relied upon daily as both a leader and a protector. That said, it’s clear that his alluring demeanor is much more who he is rather than just a part of the job. He is quick-witted and secure, and he refuses to let others know when they’re getting to him.
Fans Love Hancock for His Uncompromising Conviction and Penchant for Justice
Apart from his overwhelming charisma, Hancock is a ghoul of uncompromising conviction. No matter what the player says, even if they are in disagreement with him, Hancock remains dominant by sticking to his guns with such strength that it often comes across as underhanded persuasion. By the end of most conversations, it’s difficult not to agree with Hancock, as he has a way with words that primarily arises from his commitment to his convictions. InFallout’s world of moral ambiguity, this makes Hancock an uncommon and remarkable character.
As he considers it his mission to ensure all people are treated fairly, he has no problem with using violence as a means of eliminating those who do the opposite. He will even get upset with players if they choose to steal from someone or break into someone’s home. Although that has moderately annoyed some fans, it’s still easy to like him as it shows his honorable side.
It’s nearly impossible to deny thatFallout 4’s John Hancockis one of the series' best ghouls, as well as one of its best and most beloved characters. It will be interesting to see whether the franchise’s ghouls going forward even come close to holding a candle to Hancock, including the ghoul bounty hunter that will be introduced in Amazon’sFalloutseries. Perhaps Hancock will serve as a standard for ghouls and companions to come, rather than being their inherent bane by comparison.
