Fallout 76has come a long way since its initial launch back in 2018. What was once a lackluster multiplayer experience has evolved into a more realized version of what Bethesda originally intended. This growth mixed with the surge in popularity of theFalloutfranchise has madeFallout 76a fun experience to dive into.
TheFalloutrenaissance that happened after the premiere of Amazon Prime’s live-action adaptation in April has reignited questions about the eventual fifth mainline game in the franchise.Fallout 5is just as much of a mystery as its fantasy counterpart,The Elder Scrolls 6, leaving Bethesda with two massive releases looming in the distance. Although many may be expectingFallout 4to be theinspiration forFallout 5,Fallout 76may actually be paving the way for the next installment. SinceFallout 76added Expeditions to the game,Fallout 5has the perfect opportunity to expand its horizons.
Fallout 76’s Expeditions Need to Play a Role in Fallout 5
Expanding the Franchise’s Lore in Smaller Fragments
Fallout 76’s Appalachian setting is one of the most fascinating locations featured in aFalloutgame, but the game has ventured into other territories with Expeditions. The point of Expeditions is to explore stories and expand on franchise lore outside the confines of Appalachia. As of now, there are two Expeditions available in the game that allow players toexplore The Pitt and Atlantic City. Getting the chance to experience Pittsburgh and the once-iconic New Jersey party city is an exciting insight into what lies outside ofFallout 76’s base map.
Despite this mode being new inFallout 76’s lifespan, that doesn’t mean it shouldn’t inform the development ofFallout 5. Throughout theFalloutseries, each game has focused on a set area. This, of course, is important to world-building and immersing players in the setting, but Expeditions have proven that aFalloutgame can briefly showcase other parts of America without taking away from the main map and narrative.Expeditions only last around 10 to 20 minutes, and it’s a great way to expand on series lore thatFallout 5could only benefit from.
Expeditions are a newer addition toFallout 76. The Pitt was added to the game back in 2022, with Atlantic City arriving in 2023
Of course, a balance would have to be achieved in order forFallout 5to pull this off properly. There could only be a few Expedition-inspired moments in the next game. Otherwise, it could makeFallout 5feel like an anthology of various stories instead of one set narrative. However, this could also be a fantastic way to experience moments from the past, possibly even before the bombs fell.TheFalloutseries on Amazon Primeshowcases the world before the Great War, andFallout 5has the opportunity to potentially connect both worlds through Expedition-like moments.
Fallout 5 Needs to Continue the Franchise’s Evolution
When it comes down to it,Fallout 76would be a stronger source of inspiration forFallout 5thanFallout 4simply because of the game’s evolution. Of course, this is mainly due to the game’s live service nature, butFallout 76has experimented with the franchise in waysFallout 4was unable to. Despite the rocky start,Fallout 76is now a strong entry in the franchise, and using it to set the groundwork for howFallout 5approaches series lore could make for a compelling and fresh story.
There are many directionsFallout 5could take. Fromfocusing on the Great Warto potentially being the franchise’s largest time jump since the bombs fell, the choices are seemingly endless. Whatever route Bethesda chooses to take,Fallout 76will hopefully help build the next game’s blueprint.
