TheFalloutseries has been around for decades. And though it’s known for more recent releases, likeFallout 4andFallout 76, the earliest titles featured a very different style of gameplay. The likes ofFalloutandFallout 2presented players with an isometric view of the game world. The combat was also turn-based, with characters relying on a mix of their stats and RNG to land hits on enemy units.
Despite the very different, admittedly clunky mechanics,FalloutandFallout 2still get love from the community, with some fans even hoping for remasters or remakes sometime down the line. However, that may prove difficult considering that the originalFalloutgames were made by Interplay and Black Isle Studios, not Bethesda. Given this, perhaps the developer should consider aFalloutspin-off with gameplay similar to the original titles, especially sinceFallout 5won’t be coming until the next decade or so.
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What Made the Original Fallout Titles So Memorable
The first-everFalloutkickstarted the franchise with a strong RPG that introduced players to the post-apocalyptic world of ghouls, super mutants, and deathclaws. It starts off simple, with the player – simply known as the “Vault Dweller” – venturing out into the wasteland to find a water chip for Vault 13. As the story progresses, however, they learn of a nefarious plan, with the local super mutants at the root of the chaos. Despite having a more straightforward narrative when compared to later entries,Falloutstill holds up for its RPG elements. It’s also interesting to note that theoriginalFallouthas arguably the most depressing endingin the franchise.
Fallout 2was releaseda year later. Similar to its predecessor, the game highlighted RPG mechanics, but also improved on the overall interface. Here, players take on the role of the “Chosen One” and must leave the village of Arroyo to retrieve a Garden of Eden Creation Kit (or simply a G.E.C.K.). However, when the player returns with the device, they find that the people of Arroyo have been captured by an organization known as the Enclave. The player must then find a way to free the people of their village.
FalloutandFallout 2still have plenty of fans within the community, primarily because of their excellent storytelling and world-building. The foundational elements ofFallout’s post-apocalyptic worldwere born out of the initial games, after all. Players could choose to go about quests in different ways, solving problems with violence or through some clever dialogue. Such variety was what made the straightforward tasks so fun to do, and the fact that the player’s decisions ultimately affected the ending of each game made the choices count for much more.
All that said, however, it’s hard to deny that the gameplay and especially the UI don’t hold up to modern standards.FalloutandFallout 2suffer from awkward menusand unintuitive interfaces. Players have also criticized the game’s RNG as it’s all too common to miss an attack despite the supposed 95% chance of hitting. When newerFalloutfans decide to try out the original games, they’re directed to character and skill allocation guides because starting out with the wrong set of stats makes for an extremely frustrating playthrough.
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What A New Isometric Fallout Spin-off Could Bring
If Bethesda isn’t too keen on releasing remakes or remasters of the originalFallouttitles, then perhaps an all-new spin-off would work. This is where a new isometricFallouttitle could come in. It would have the RPG elements of the originalFalloutgames, just without the clunky gameplay. If anything, it’d be a treat toFalloutfans who are patiently waiting for the next entry.Fallout 5has been confirmedby Bethesda, but that confirmation is just that it’s an idea, not something actively in the works.
Of course, a top-downFalloutspin-off wouldn’t be received as well as the series’ more recent releases. Isometric games cater to a specific niche, and manyFalloutfans prefer the open-world exploration and real-time combat. Still, it’d be like a love letter to the titles that jumpstarted the franchise. Moreover, games like theWastelandseries and evenindie releases likeWeird Westprove that there’s still a market for isometric RPGs.
So, if Bethesda were torelease a newFalloutspin-offwith turn-based, isometric-view gameplay, it has to nail a few directions. First and foremost, it should highlight player choice and consequences in its overarching narrative as that’s a key factor in the first two games. It could also delve into the events that took place inFallout 1and2, showcasing the effects of the Vault Dweller and the Chosen One’s actions in post-apocalyptic California (and maybe, to a certain extent, the Courier’s actions too).
Aside from the emphasis on RPG elements, some fans have expressed that maybe it would work better with party-based combat. This would be a smart move since the single-player experience is already vastly dominated by FPS games with real-time combat. However, making aFalloutgame that emphasized party mechanics would be like introducing anewFallout Tacticsgamerather than a spin-off of the original mainline series. This could turn offFalloutfans who were partial to the gameplay ofFallout 1and2.
Still, if the gameplay and story were done right, then a party-based isometricFallouttitle could do the early games justice. This would mean drifting away fromFallout Tactics’level-based progression and linear storyline then adopting something more akin totheWastelandseries’ gameplay. Interestingly enough, that franchise was produced by talent from the originalFalloutteam, which is why the two series are often compared.
Overall, a top-downFalloutgame can sate fans who are hungry for more content. It’d be a welcome release, especially given thatFallout 5is still years from completion. Whether Bethesda opts to pursue an isometric spin-off remains to be seen, but the developer has yet to announce anything, likely because the team is hard at work withStarfieldas well as pre-production forThe Elder Scrolls 6. Still,Falloutfans are hopeful.
Fallout 5is not inactive development.
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