Currently, it seems Fallout 5 is still quite far from hitting our screens, with The Elder Scrolls 6 expected to drop before it. It’s bound to be a long wait, but if we take a closer look at Bethesda’s latest release, Starfield, we might catch a glimpse of what could be in store for Fallout 5. Although Starfield has faced its share of ups and downs, it introduces a slew of exciting ideas that might just find their way into the next Fallout installment.
While Starfield might offer some insights for The Elder Scrolls 6, it shares more DNA with the Fallout series, as both deal with unique technological aspects, albeit in very different ways. Starfield draws players into an advanced, galaxy-roaming society, whereas Fallout thrusts them into a post-apocalyptic America struggling to find a new normal. Despite their differences, Fallout has always embraced a certain sci-fi flair. This opens up the possibility for Fallout 5 to borrow one of Starfield’s biggest post-launch hits: land vehicles.
In August, Starfield introduced the REV-8, the game’s first land vehicle, revolutionizing how players traverse its vast terrains. No longer bound to a slow march across planets, gamers can now zip through these landscapes, marking a significant, and much-praised, update since the game launched in 2023. It’s a feature that, if included in Fallout 5 right from the start, could set a new bar for the series.
Exactly where Fallout 5 will unfold is still under wraps, but it’s a safe bet that a wasteland, characteristic of the series, will play a central role. Whether it’s an unexplored part of the world or a return to familiar but changed locales, the essence of navigating a desolate, radioactively scarred environment will undoubtedly remain. Incorporating innovative features like a land vehicle can help breathe new life into this setting, making the upcoming chapter more engaging.
Bethesda has recently added another land vehicle to Starfield, the Deimog, which players can grab as a free download. This continued expansion of features might also hint at potential directions for Fallout 5, showing how land-based traversal can enhance gameplay.
Traditionally, moving through Fallout’s wastelands isn’t just a necessity but part of the gritty experience. While fast travel becomes available, offering convenience, some players crave the added immersion of navigating the map manually. However, this can be time-consuming. With Fallout yet to introduce vehicles into its travel toolkit, it’s an idea ripe for exploration, potentially invigorating the series with a fresh approach to exploration mechanics.
Considering the mixed reactions to Starfield and the ongoing hush about The Elder Scrolls 6, there’s curiosity around Bethesda’s plans to keep Fallout relevant in an evolving RPG landscape. While Fallout 76 continues to expand as a live-service game, offering ongoing enhancements, Fallout 5 needs to make a bold first impression upon release. Bethesda excels in post-launch improvements, but to meet the high expectations surrounding its next big single-player release, offering new elements like a vehicle could be pivotal.
While we wait for more concrete news on Fallout 5, Bethesda can closely observe which Starfield features most resonate with players. Though it might not be flawless, Starfield’s introduction of land vehicles could very well set a new precedent for future Fallout games, potentially transforming how fans experience its storied universe.
