Fallout 4introduced a wide variety of new gameplay mechanics. Some of these mechanics were not only new to theFalloutseries, but to Bethesda games in general, and included a voiced protagonist, a new crafting system, and the ability to create settlements. Despite the mixed reception some of these new mechanics received, the innovation ofFallout 4could be considered a good thing for the series, and these mechanics have gone on to become industry staples in recent years.
Fallout 5’s release is likely still years away, and will likely see a release in a very different video gaming culture and landscape. To be successful,Fallout 5needs to take the same kind of risks and innovationsthatFallout 4took, such as improvingFallout 4’s dialogue system, and including entirely new gameplay systems, so that it can become an industry leader.
Because of the amount of time that will have passed between the release ofFallout 4and the eventualFallout 5release, with it likely that aFallout 5release is still many years away, it’s possible thatFallout 5may see the same innovation of new gameplay mechanics thatFallout 4included.
Fallout 4’s dialogue system included a voiced protagonistand limited options that the player could choose. In having a voiced protagonist,Fallout 4sacrificed more nuanced and in-depth dialogue options for the player. InSkyrim, the Dragonborn is a silent protagonist and the dialogue options are still fairly limited compared to other RPGs, but the dialogue options are still more varied and detailed than the options presented inFallout 4. This system received a mixed reception and was removed in favor of a silent protagonist inStarfield.
However, a new gameplay mechanic that was better received was theability to build new settlements inFallout 4. The customization options, variety of places, and benefits of creating settlements brought an entirely new way to play inFallout 4, and was one of the most innovative mechanics introduced inFallout 4.
How Fallout 5 Can Improve on Fallout 4 to Bring New Innovations
AsFallout 5is likely still years away, it will probably launch in the midst of a very different game market and culture to the one in whichFallout 4was released. With a different gaming landscape,Fallout 5will need to include new features if the series wants to remain as relevant and groundbreaking, with features that are both new to theFalloutseries, and new and innovative to the gaming landscape in the future. Some of those innovations may not be well-received, as was the case withFallout 4’s voiced protagonist, but taking risks is what will drive the series forward.
The return of a voiced protagonist, but with more robust dialogue options and better choices, would be a good place to start, especially asBethesda removed the voiced protagonist forStarfield. With better resources and technology allocated toFallout 5, it could feasibly achieve a dialogue system thatFallout 4was meant to have, rather than reaching and not quite achieving it. Gameplay mechanics, such as settlement building and crafting, are mechanics that encourage creativity among players and are often popular, so new mechanics that encourage creativity in players would be a great addition toFallout 5.
