Summary
TheFalloutfranchise is one of the most well-known and regarded within the gaming landscape. Like any massively popular property, it has a passionate fan base that can often be divided when it comes to the nuances of their favorite IP. Any change to or diversion from a familiar facet could be polarizing, especially in the case of a series so recognized asFallout. The beloved post-apocalyptic RPG has evolved much over the years, changing hands between studios and generating its share of opinions on the various approaches taken to its story and design.
Dating back to the 1997 original, there are anumber of recognizableFalloutelementsthat have persisted in the series throughout its long history. Whether these are features and mechanics or deep lore connections between people and places, fans have come to expect each release to contain certain core components. However, there is one chestnut that four out of the six mainlineFallouttitles share as a narrative framework and setup. ThoughFallout 5is still quite a distance away, this also gives Bethesda a chance to turn one ofFallout’s most iconic elements on its head.
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Fallout 5 Could Switch Up Its Protagonist Origins
When starting out in aFalloutgame, the player is almost always thrust into the role of a vault dweller. Stepping out into the wastes from the former safety and comfort of their bunker, they are then sent on a mission to retrieve or repair something important. This fact puts an immediate constraint on players' freedom of choice in what is supposed to be a vast, complex RPG that offers lots of freedom in terms of players' choices and reacts accordingly in interesting and satisfying ways. IfFallout 5is to live up to expectationsit might try a new narrative hook to inject some freshness into itself.
Fallout 3was a massive shift in design under Bethesda’s banner, breaking from turn-based isometric CRPG to an open-world FPS/RPG hybrid. Nevertheless, the player character still began in a vault, which informed much of the ensuing action. Obsidian’sFallout: New Vegaswas one of the notable exceptions to this device, where the player was instead a courier from the wasteland.Fallout: New Vegasis often pointed to as the best of the modernFalloutgames. The desire for asequel toFallout: New Vegashas been strong since, and Bethesda could take a page from Obsidian by having the next protagonist be something other than a vault resident.
Fallout 5’s main character could be taken in a multitude of directions that don’t involve being a vault dweller. Moving away from this would offer a new perspective for both the player and their character. For example,havingFallout 5’s protagonist be a ghoulwould be an incredibly interesting angle and fit well within established canon. Starting as a wasteland scavenger, mercenary, or other more outlandish untapped avenues such as a super mutant or reformed raider, are all potentially viable alternatives.
Although it will still be quite a while before fans know 5will be like, there is much discussion on what Bethesda can do to shake up the formula its followed so far, specifically in terms of characterizing the PC. If the studio listens to feedback on how it might approach the setup of its nextFalloutgame, and departs from the vault dweller trope, fans could be in store for a big change up that may surprise and possibly surpass the story setup seen in previous titles.
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