Summary
While the bar for Bethesda’s RPGs is appropriately high, thankfully, future games can learn a lot from their predecessors to help meet fans’ expectations—especially when it comes to theFalloutfranchise. In particular, futureFalloutgames should pay close attention to some ofFallout 76’s hidden strengths.
It’s no secret that, when it was first released,Fallout 76wasn’t the fan-favorite among theFalloutfranchise’s community.
However, givenFallout 76’s redemption in the past few years, it’s gradually become a worthy contender for this kind of praise. Between major features and smaller changes that have added up over the years, futureFalloutgames would be wise to take note of what has madeFallout 76so special lately.
What Fallout 5 Should Learn From Fallout 76
Fallout 1st Survival Tents
Fallout 76’s Cryptids and Factions
As enjoyable as it is for franchise veterans to recognize familiar faces among the mutated creatures and the returning factions in theFalloutfranchise, futureFalloutgames should consider paving their own path with new enemies and factions. AsFallout76’s cryptid enemiesand original factions show, these features can coexist with returning characters to provide a unique and fresh experience. Naturally,Fallout76’s original factions and cryptids are tied to the game’s setting, futureFalloutgames should each introduce their original characters.
Fallout 76’s Photo Mode
Fallout 76’s photo mode includes a handheld camera as well as a third-person ‘free-cam’ that offers stylized filters, depth-of-field controls, and other advanced photography settings. What makesFallout 76’s photo modeso special, though, is that the player’s photos will show up as loading screens.Starfield’s photo mode also used this trick, and it ended up being a clever way to alleviate some of the game’s infamous loading-screen fatigue. Even outside of theFalloutfranchise, more games arguably need both a photo mode and personalized loading screen features.
Fallout 76’s Real-Time VATS Changes
While Bethesda’s modernFalloutgames have abandoned the turn-based combat of the originalFalloutfranchise games, VATS has still persisted. LongtimeFalloutfans have frequently debated whetherthe VATS from theFalloutfranchiseshould continue to show up in futureFalloutgames, but keepingFallout 76’s version of VATS may ultimately prove to be the best way to please both sides of this debate.
Legendary Crafting
Being able to upgrade existing gear with legendary effects inFallout 76is a great way for players to make their favorite weapons and armor even stronger. Many longtimeFalloutfans were upset thatStarfielddoesn’t allow players to craft their own legendary gear, so futureFalloutgames should have the best of both worlds when it comes to including both custom legendaries and unique gear.
QOL Features From Fallout 76
While seemingly minor on their own, enough QOL features can add up over time to provide a fresh experience. This is arguably what makesFallout 76feel so different fromFallout 4, despite both games sharing several core features and mechanics. With this in mind, the nextFalloutgame shouldn’t undo any of the ‘small’ QOL changes thatFallout 76has introduced and instead continue to grow with more advanced and innovative QOL features. Some of the most noticeable QOL features fromFallout 76include:
