After Starfield: The One Feature Fallout 5 Needs to Embrace

Fallout 5 remains a distant dream for fans, with The Elder Scrolls 6 expected to hit the shelves first. However, glimpses of what could be in store might be hiding in game developer Bethesda’s latest release, Starfield. Although this space-themed RPG has faced mixed reviews, it introduces some innovative concepts that Fallout 5 could borrow to enhance its gameplay.

While many aspects of Starfield could find their way into The Elder Scrolls 6, its technology-driven gameplay actually ties it more closely to the Fallout series. Both games, although different in style, share common ground in their utilization of technology. Starfield navigates players through a futuristic universe with advanced tech, whereas Fallout paints a grim picture of a post-apocalyptic America. However, both maintain a science fiction essence that could shape the next Fallout installment, especially through one of Starfield’s standout features: land vehicles.

In August, Starfield delighted players with the introduction of the REV-8, the game’s very first land vehicle, revolutionizing how explorers traverse alien landscapes. Instead of slowly making their way on foot, they can now speed across terrains, easing the exploration process significantly. This feature became one of the most applauded additions since Starfield’s debut in 2023, and adopting a similar mechanic at launch could create a fresh, exciting dynamic for Fallout 5.

Though Fallout 5’s setting remains under wraps, it’s almost a given that sprawling wastelands will form part of its landscape. Just where these radioactive lands will be set, only time will reveal. A hallmark of the Fallout series has been these desolate, dangerous territories, but to refresh the experience and stir up enthusiasm, new features are essential. Incorporating a drivable land vehicle could be a straightforward yet effective way to achieve this.

In Fallout, travel isn’t limited to painstaking hikes through hazardous zones. While fast travel is an option that becomes available, some players might prefer a deeper immersion by avoiding it. Even though this approach enriches the experience, it can make traversing between locations a lengthy ordeal. Historically, the franchise has not included vehicles, but adding one could inject a new level of excitement and efficiency into the game.

With the mixed reactions to Starfield and the silence shrouding The Elder Scrolls 6, many wonder how Bethesda plans to elevate Fallout in an ever-crowding RPG market. As the latest addition, Fallout 76 enjoys the benefits of live service, which allows continuous enhancement over time. However, Fallout 5 will have to make a strong initial impact. Bethesda’s reputation for post-launch updates is well-established, but given the series’ current hype and a resurgent interest in the games, Fallout 5 should ideally offer something unique at release. Introducing vehicles could be the game-changer it needs.

As anticipation builds for Fallout 5, Bethesda can take this moment to observe Starfield’s appeal to players. While Starfield may not have hit every mark perfectly, its land vehicles might set a new benchmark that could transform the next Fallout and raise the series to new heights.