Fallout 5 is years away at this point, but that hasn't kept longtime fans from speculating about what awaits the franchise next. After the success of Amazon Prime's live-action adaptation, excitement about the Fallout games has been reignited, making Fallout 5 one of the many future games to look forward to.
Since the project hasn't even been officially announced, there aren't any actual details revealed by Bethesda yet. From the setting to the planned release window, Fallout 5 is one of the industry's biggest mysteries right now. With each game, a fresh protagonist is introduced, and Fallout 5 could take some compelling directions with its lead this time around. Every protagonist has been unique in their own way, but Fallout 5 could really shake things up, while also returning to some fan-favorite traits.
Halloween Horror Nights Adding Fallout Haunted House Based on TV Series
Fallout will make its debut at Universal Studios' Halloween Horror Nights 2025, with a haunted house inspired by the TV series.
What Features Fallout 5 Protagonist's Should Include
A Tight-Lipped Hero
When developing sequels, trying new things can often lead to improvements, but for many fans, Fallout 4's voiced protagonist proved controversial. Since the Sole Survivor was so intertwined with the main story, it's understandable as to why Bethesda opted to give the character a voice. However, returning to a silent protagonist may be the best decision for Fallout 5.
Bethesda has a history of silent protagonists, and it has proven to be a formula that works quite well, especially from a role-playing perspective. Silent protagonists allow gamers to further immerse themselves in the role of a character, while hearing someone else's voice can potentially create a disconnect. With Starfield also featuring a silent protagonist, it seems as though Bethesda may be going back to this proven method after the backlash from some Fallout 4 players.
Players have even made mods that turn the game's protagonist silent.
Leaving the Vaults Behind
Fallout 5 may benefit from taking a note from Fallout: New Vegas' Courier. New Vegas features one of the biggest franchise shake-ups by introducing a protagonist who isn't a Vault Dweller. The Courier proves that Fallout can feature characters that are seemingly blank slates without making them completely naive to the world. Of course, Vault Dwellers have been integral to the lore of Fallout, and there is still room to feature the Vaults in a variety of other ways. However, it would be fascinating to see another protagonist whose past isn't confined to the Vaults.
Clear Dialogue Choices
Another major change Fallout 4 brought to the series was the dialogue wheel. It was intended to streamline interacting with Fallout 4's NPCs, which makes sense, but the implementation was off. The vagueness of each answer choice can often result in unwanted outcomes, which can be really frustrating when trying to play the protagonist a specific way. The dialogue wheel can ultimately hurt building one's character, and if Fallout 5 wants players to truly enjoy its role-playing, then returning to the old dialogue formula may be best.
Season 2 of the live-action Fallout series will premiere in December 2025.
Going Full Ghoul
Making the game's protagonist a Ghoul from the start may be a bit risky, but it could prove to be just the leap the series needs to keep things fresh. After Fallout 76 added Ghouls to the game following the success of Walton Goggins' performance in the Amazon series, the door is now wide open to take this concept a step further. A story revolving around a Ghoul trying to survive the wasteland while also fighting to remain as human-like as possible could add an extra level of challenge inspired directly by the live-action series. Not only that, but it could also further humanize the Ghouls, setting the stage for an intriguing, emotional story.
Fallout 4
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OpenCritic Reviews
- Top Critic Avg: 87 /100 Critics Rec: 89%
WHERE TO PLAY
Bethesda Game Studios, the award-winning creators of Fallout 76 and The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim, invite you to the ambitious open world of Fallout 4. Do whatever you want in a massive Commonwealth with hundreds of locations, characters and quests.
As the sole survivor of Vault 111, only you can rebuild and determine the fate of the Wasteland. Join multiple factions vying for power or go it alone - the choices are yours.
From a Power Armor-toting soldier to the charismatic smooth-talker, be whoever you want with the S.P.E.C.I.A.L. Character system and develop your own playstyle from hundreds of Perks.
Experience exciting first- or third-person combat with the dynamic Vault-Tec Assisted Targeting System, or V.A.T.S., targeting enemies for maximum tactical advantage (and cinematic carnage!) Collect, upgrade and build thousands of items with Fallout 4's crafting system. Weapons, armor, food and with the right materials, even entire settlements are possible. Welcome home.
