Fallout 76 serves as the franchise's multiplayer spin-off, bringing players into the treacherous post-nuclear setting of Appalachia. The Fallout franchise has always put role-playing first, but Fallout 76 takes this gameplay even further through a multiplayer take on the series to offer some even more immersive moments. While the RPG is one of the top franchises in the genre, it has only ever permitted players to take on the role of humans, until recently.
Thanks in part to the success of Amazon Prime's live-action Fallout series and the overwhelmingly positive response to actor Walton Goggins as The Ghoul, Fallout 76 will introduce playable Ghouls in early 2025. This presents a huge game-changer for the title and the series as a whole, as it potentially opens the door for more non-human races to become playable characters. While there aren't many non-human options present that make a lot of sense, there is one standout race that feels like a given: Super Mutants.
After Ghouls, Fallout 76 Should Consider Introducing Playable Super Mutants Next
Another Iconic Race Of the Fallout Franchise
Super Mutants are arguably just as recognizable in the franchise as their Ghoul counterparts. By exposing humans to Fallout's FEV virus, victims will be morphed into hulking beasts, serving as a huge threat across the wasteland. While most Super Mutants that players come in contact with tend to be hostile, there are several notable members of the race who are far more docile. For example, in Fallout: New Vegas, the society of Jacobstown consists of peaceful Super Mutants who are led by Marcus. Also, in Fallout 4, a Super Mutant named Strong can be the player's companion.
Making More Room For Fallout's Other Races to Star in Fallout 76
Although the upcoming introduction of Ghouls in Fallout 76 likely has the performance of Walton Goggins to thank, this hopefully inspires Bethesda to look at other beings in Fallout's fascinating lore that help expand what can be allowed as playable characters in Fallout 76, or even future Fallout games. Super Mutants would be the most logical choice, not just because of their iconic nature, but because both Super Mutants and Ghouls originated as humans. Fallout 76 players will have to work toward becoming a Ghoul, and the same method can be applied to become a Super Mutant. For example, there could be a mission that puts players in direct contact with the FEV, kickstarting the journey to full-on mutation.
Before becoming a Ghoul, players will have to reach Level 50 in order to unlock the related quest.
There are other races, like the robotic Synths, that could get added in the future, but Ghouls and Super Mutants still keep the story of Fallout grounded in humanity. Playable Synths would be intriguing, but Ghouls and Super Mutants allow Bethesda to make these transformations happen through quests and the actions of players. Implementing a solid way for players to take on a Synth role would be tricky.
Fallout 76 Introducing Playable Ghouls Presents a World of Possibilities
The Future of Fallout Could Use Ghouls As Further Inspiration
The success of Amazon Prime's live-action Fallout series took many by surprise, and it reignited a huge interest in the games. While every title saw an influx of players, Fallout 76 really had a moment to shine. As many speculate about Season 2 of Fallout, it will be interesting to see how the series influences the games in the future.
Fallout 76 will feature Ghoul-specific perks and skills, especially with radiation.
Moving forward, it could even be possible for Fallout 5 to include playable Ghouls, and if that's the case, maybe Super Mutants will be introduced as well. If Super Mutants don't get a chance in the spotlight in Fallout 76, then Fallout 5 would be the next best stage to present such an idea. There's no telling what the future of Fallout holds, but playable Ghouls will hopefully expand what is possible for role-playing.
Fallout 76
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OpenCritic Reviews
- Top Critic Avg: 54 /100 Critics Rec: 9%
WHERE TO PLAY
Bethesda Game Studios, the award-winning creators of Skyrim and Fallout 4, welcome you to Fallout 76. Twenty-five years after the bombs fell, you and your fellow Vault Dwellers—chosen from the nation’s best and brightest – emerge into post-nuclear America on Reclamation Day, 2102. Play solo or join together as you explore, quest, build, and triumph against the wasteland’s greatest threats. Explore a vast wasteland, devastated by nuclear war, in this open-world multiplayer addition to the Fallout story. Experience the largest, most dynamic world ever created in the legendary Fallout universe. Expand southward to Skyline Valley – a brand-new region of Appalachia. Investigate the cause of the electric storm circling overhead and unveil the mystery around Vault 63 and its dwellers, including a shocking new Ghoul type – The Lost.
