Fallout 5 is unfortunately years away at this point, but that at least leaves plenty of time to speculate on what the next game could have in store for players. The Fallout franchise has become an RPG staple, and once a fresh chapter sees the light of day, it's bound to be another exploration-filled wasteland adventure.
There are many features to be expected in a Fallout game. From the vast and dangerous wastelands to multiple unique factions, Fallout boasts a variety of details and mechanics that help bring the games to life. One of the biggest standout mechanics in all the Fallout series, though, is the VATS system. Fallout 5 may be a huge mystery at the moment, but the return of VATS is a must.
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Fallout 5 Should Make the Return of VATS a Priority
VATS is One of Fallout's Most Unique Combat Features
- VATS stands for Vault-Tec Assisted Targeting System
There are many pieces that make up a Fallout game, but VATS is arguably one of the most notable. When using VATS, time slows, as the game shows players a variety of targets on an enemy's body that can be hit with what percentage of accuracy. It can help make more harrowing encounters more manageable, but it also just serves as a fun wasteland-inspired version of slow motion, too. There are those who want VATS to be retired, and while the cases against VATS have their own merits, the system is an important piece of Fallout's identity.
It's an incredibly useful tool that makes Bethesda's long-ranged combat a lot more manageable, because Fallout isn't exactly known for snappy and satisfying gunplay. Of course, there is the argument to be made that Starfield proves that VATS is unnecessary, but at this point, VATS feels like a huge part of the Fallout lore.
Right now, Bethesda has yet to confirm when Fallout 5 is scheduled to be released. All that is known so far is that the next Fallout game is slated for production after The Elder Scrolls 6 launches, which is also likely years away.
At this point, it may feel jarring to not feature VATS in Fallout 5 after years of including it in various entries. Since VATS has been tied to Vault-Tec itself, it's more than just a mechanic; it's a piece of the overall story. It's a further extension of Vault-Tec's advancements in technology, and side-stepping the feature at this point may be disappointing for a lot of longtime fans who are fond of the system.
Fallout 5 may be a huge mystery at the moment, but the return of VATS is a must.
The Best Thing About VATS is That it Can Be Ignored
Just because Fallout 5 potentially features VATS doesn't mean that players have to use it. It's completely possible for Bethesda to take the stronger gun mechanics from Starfield and mix them with Fallout's VATS, so that players have more diverse options in their combat experience. Giving players more agency in how they approach the story is almost always a good thing, so allowing players who don't enjoy VATS to still enjoy more snappy and engaging gunplay than the Fallout standard would be a strong route for Bethesda to take.
Season 2 of Amazon Prime's Fallout TV series is currently filming. This season is bringing the story to New Vegas this time around.
At this point, VATS is just as much a part of Fallout as the wastelands or the terrifying Deathclaws. Taking the mechanic out now may prove to be too risky, as it's become such a defining feature of the games. The reasons against VATS are understandable, as the mechanic can sometimes feel outdated, but it also gives the gameplay an extra level of charm that makes Fallout a unique RPG.
Fallout 4
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