One Feature Fallout 5 Should Embrace Following Starfield’s Lead

At present, Fallout 5 feels like a distant dream, as it seems several years away from hitting our consoles. The Elder Scrolls 6 is expected to arrive first, indicating a lengthy wait for eager Fallout fans. Yet, despite the extended timeline, we might be able to glean some insights into Fallout 5 by examining Bethesda’s latest release, Starfield. Starfield, with its sci-fi flavor, has had its share of triumphs and setbacks, but many aspects could serve as valuable inspiration for the upcoming Fallout installment.

While it’s true that Starfield’s innovations might also impact The Elder Scrolls 6, the Fallout series shares closer ties with Bethesda’s cosmic venture. Both games thrive on advanced technology, even if they are applied in entirely different ways. Starfield explores the universe through a high-tech lens, while Fallout envisions a post-apocalyptic America struggling for survival. Despite their differences, Fallout’s universe has always held a sci-fi edge, which could make it easier to borrow one of Starfield’s standout post-launch features: land vehicles.

Starfield’s Land Vehicles Could Elevate Fallout 5

The REV-8, introduced to Starfield back in August, marked a significant milestone with its debut as the game’s first land vehicle, revolutionizing the way players navigate the game’s expansive planets. No longer were players trudging painstakingly across vast terrains; now they could zip across landscapes with ease. This feature quickly became one of Starfield’s most impactful updates since its inception in 2023. If Fallout 5 were to incorporate a similar feature from the onset, it could be a game-changer for the series.

Currently, where Fallout 5 will be set remains a mystery. However, the presence of a desolate, dangerous, nuclear-scarred landscape is almost a certainty. Fallout has always thrived amid these wastelands, and for the next game to carve out its own identity and generate excitement, fresh features will be critical. Land vehicles could be the simple innovation needed to achieve this feat.

Bethesda recently expanded Starfield with another land vehicle, the Deimog, available for free download to players. This suggests a continuing focus on refining travel in their games.

Navigating the Wasteland

In Fallout, moving across the map isn’t always a journey through hostile terrains. While fast travel eventually becomes an option, players chasing a richer, more immersive experience might choose to forgo it. This choice enhances the game world’s immersion but also significantly extends travel time. Despite all the stories Fallout has told, vehicles have never played a role, yet their inclusion could bring a fresh dynamism to the gameplay.

With the division among fans over Starfield and whispers about The Elder Scrolls 6, there’s palpable curiosity about how Bethesda plans to spotlight Fallout in the burgeoning RPG landscape. Fallout 76 continues to evolve as a live-service title, improving incrementally, but Fallout 5 will need to make a strong initial impression. Bethesda is renowned for its post-launch updates, however, with the heightened expectations surrounding live series games and rising interest, Fallout 5 needs to deliver something truly remarkable. Vehicles could very well be that needed innovation.

As Fallout fans continue their long wait, Bethesda has a golden opportunity to observe which Starfield features resonate most with players. Although Starfield isn’t flawless, its introduction of land vehicles might set a new benchmark that inspires future Fallout adventures.