It has been five long years since Bethesda released Fallout 4, the latest single-player installment in the popular, post-apocalyptic franchise. The gap between Fallout 3 and Fallout 4 was seven years, so hopes are we will see a new game by 2022, which is not that far away now.
What that new game might contain is a complete mystery to players at the moment, as Bethesda has not even confirmed a new Fallout game is coming. As one of their best-selling franchises though, it would be silly for them not to release another. The Institute was teased throughout Fallout 3, so Bethesda does leave breadcrumbs for their fans to follow. What breadcrumbs regarding the future of Fallout 5 may we have missed?
6 It’s A Sequel To Fallout 76
Bethesda didn’t give up on Fallout 76. They keep updating it and trying to improve it. And their efforts are paying off, with 2020 seeing more Fallout 76 players than ever before. It’s nice to know that the fan feedback helped the game. One way Bethesda could boost Fallout 76 sales even more is if they announce Fallout 5 will be connected to it in some way. It could take place years after Fallout 76, with a playable character who has a lineage that traces back to the first people out of the vaults, who tried to inhabit the wasteland there. They could include a feature that would ensure people who owned both games got some mention of their old character’s activities in Fallout 5.
5 It Could Take Place In New York City Or Philadelphia
Bethesda’s Fallout games have primarily taken palace on the East Coast, in places rich in American history and technology. Subway systems have also been a core part of the games, so New York and Philly are both strong contenders when it comes to picking a similar setting. There are definitely some locations they should leave for others, though.
The only issue is, both these locations could feel too similar to the ones in previous installments. New York would likely be as ruined as DC was in Fallout 3, and Philly might be a little too much like Boston in Fallout 4.
4 It Might Be A Survival Horror Set In Alaska Or Canada
A lot of fans really enjoyed the Far Harbor DLC. It had a great and unique atmosphere, which is essential for a Fallout game. Adapting the gameplay and setting so that a more tense and hazy atmosphere can permeate the game would be a brave step for Fallout 5. As we know according to in-game lore, the United States annexed Canada before the apocalypse, so there is every chance a new game could take place in some Canadian frozen wilderness, adding a real survival element to the series. The harsh winter conditions could even add a horror tone to the typical Fallout experience.
3 It Could Adopt Skyrim’s Skill System
Fallout 3 and Skyrim both contain a lot of RPG mechanics. This is most obvious when it comes to the games’ leveling systems. Skyrim has skills improve the more you use them, while Fallout 3 requires players to invest points upon leveling up. These are both seen as deeper than Fallout 4, which did away with skill points entirely, focusing instead on perks that change certain elements of gameplay.
This was great for fans who just wanted a post-apocalyptic FPS with some light roleplay elements, but not so great for long-time fans of the series, who felt the game had been dumbed down. Will Fallout 5 have a skill system more akin to Skyrim’s?
2 It Could Offer Different Races And Classes
Since Skyrim lets you pick between different races, all with their own unique strengths and weaknesses, why shouldn’t Fallout? It would be so interesting to play the game as a Raider, or Super Mutant, or Ghoul. All these choices should come with in-game consequences, such as some people attacking Super Mutant characters on sight or refusing service to Ghouls. Of course, the game could be set in a future where kind Super Mutants are more common, so playing as one wouldn’t be impossibly difficult.
1 It Could Be A Microsoft Exclusive
With Microsoft recently purchasing Bethesda, there’s a good chance the next Fallout game will be exclusive to Xbox and PC. That’ll certainly hurt PlayStation owners who love the franchise. There is a pretty large spanner in the works regarding the sale, however.
With Microsoft continually trying to grow their player base, and the number of players on Games Pass, they could decide it’s better to take the short-term hit in lower sales if it convinces some people to buy an Xbox. However, it could also be a timed exclusive, available only to Xbox and PC for a few months or a year before it becomes more widely available. Considering some recent PS4 exclusives have been ported to PC, hopefully, the era of exclusives is coming to an end and we’ll all be able to play any game we want on any console we have.
