From what we can ascertain, Fallout 5 won’t be arriving anytime soon. It’s widely anticipated that The Elder Scrolls 6 will hit the shelves first, putting Fallout 5 a considerable way down the road. Even though the wait might feel endless, there are already some hints about what Fallout 5 might bring to the table, especially if we glance at Bethesda’s latest release, Starfield. This sci-fi RPG has sparked a lot of discussion, with its fair share of peaks and troughs. Despite this, it introduces several intriguing concepts that could potentially spill over into Fallout 5.
While Starfield has lessons to offer for The Elder Scrolls 6, it shares a particularly close bond with the Fallout series. Both of these titles revolve around unique technological landscapes, albeit with opposite showcases. Starfield charts the journey of a galaxy filled with advanced technology, whereas Fallout explores a post-nuclear America, striving for survival in a gritty world. Despite this stark contrast, Fallout still dabbles heavily in the sci-fi genre. This opens up a pathway for the upcoming installment to possibly draw inspiration from one of Starfield’s commendable post-launch features—land vehicles.
In a significant upturn, Starfield introduced the REV-8 last August. As its premier land vehicle, the REV-8 proved revolutionary for in-game navigation. Players can now zoom across alien terrains rather than arduously trekking through them on foot, marking a standout addition since the game’s debut in 2023. Among various noteworthy updates Starfield has rolled out, the REV-8 stands out remarkably. Including a similar feature in Fallout 5 from the get-go would be a pivotal move for the series.
The location for Fallout 5 remains a mystery, but one thing seems certain: a wasteland will feature prominently. Exactly where this wasteland will be situated is anyone’s guess, but a vast and perilous nuclear wasteland is integral to the Fallout DNA. To carve its own niche and stir up enthusiasm, Fallout 5 needs to embrace new features, and land vehicles might be just the innovation needed.
Bethesda’s learning curve continues with the release of a subsequent vehicle in Starfield, named the Deimog, which players can download at no cost—an indication of where things could be heading.
Typically, traversing Fallout’s world means slogging through hazardous wastelands. Fast travel eventually becomes accessible, but purists seeking an immersive experience might choose to ignore it. While this enhances immersion, it can consume a significant amount of time getting from one location to another. Across previous Fallout titles, vehicles haven’t made an appearance, but their introduction could inject a fresh zest into the franchise.
With debates surrounding Starfield and the silence cloaking Elder Scrolls 6, Bethesda faces the challenge of making Fallout distinct among an ever-expanding RPG universe. Fallout 76 benefits from its live-service model, gradually improving over time, but Fallout 5 will need a spectacular debut. Bethesda’s reputation for consistent post-launch updates stands, but with the growing excitement around live services and renewed interest in the games, Fallout 5 has a chance to offer something extraordinary—a land vehicle fitting naturally into that aspiration.
As we keep counting down to Fallout 5, Bethesda stands to gain by paying close attention to what resonated with players in Starfield. Though not flawless, Starfield’s introduction of land vehicles might just set a new benchmark for what’s to come in Fallout.
