It seems more obvious than ever that a remake of The Elder Scrolls 4: Oblivion is on its way. The classic 2006 RPG is still viewed as among Bethesda Game Studio's most important projects, sitting comfortably alongside other influential, innovative releases like Fallout 3. Assuming this Oblivion re-release goes over well, then Fallout 3 just might be the next best candidate for the remaster-slash-remake treatment.
Much like Oblivion, Fallout 3 is a product of its time. Released in 2008 as Bethesda's first crack at the Fallout franchise, which it took over from Black Isle Studios, Fallout 3 was incredibly pivotal for both Bethesda Game Studios' identity and western role-playing games in general. The dark, gleefully dystopic retro-future landscape of the Capital Wasteland was a breath of fresh air at the time, managing to straddle the strengths of both dark comedy and dour post-apocalypse media. Indeed, Fallout 3 was and is still a one-of-a-kind game, but the limitations of its era hold it back; it hasn't exactly aged well, and a remaster could address that.
The Case for Fallout 3 Being Remastered After Oblivion
Fallout 3 Is Stylish, but Ugly
Although the remnants of the USA, ravaged by nuclear warfare, shouldn't exactly be picturesque, Fallout 3's rendition of this far-future reality channels some of the worst visual design trends of the late-2000s. Oblivion might be dated, low-res, and lacking cutting-edge visual effects, but it's still rather scenic, with pastoral landscapes, rolling hills, and vibrant colors. By comparison, Fallout 3 is monochrome, dominated by flat greens and grays that lend the game a decidedly bland and unappealing visual identity. This isn't helped by the lower-resolution textures and non-dynamic lighting of the vanilla experience, which do little to improve the aesthetic.
In other words, there's an argument to be made that Fallout 3 is in more desperate need of a facelift than Oblivion. Whether due to industry trends of the time, technological limitations, creative choices, or a combination of the three, Fallout 3 can be tough on the eyes, and its drab aesthetic could be considerably elevated by modern design capabilities. For instance, ray-traced reflections could lend the desolate expanses of the Capital Wasteland a new, dramatic dimension, while higher-resolution textures could make for a more arresting and true-to-life game world, even if it's still appropriately depressing.
Fallout 3's Gameplay Could Use a Punch-Up
At the time of writing, it's still unclear whether the Oblivion remaster will make any meaningful changes to gameplay, or if the alterations will be limited to its visuals. There is certainly room for improvement in this respect—Oblivion's melee combat is particularly rudimentary and outdated—and the same can be said about Fallout 3's combat sandbox.
While later Bethesda RPGs, namely Fallout 4 and Starfield, made significant improvements to shooting mechanics, adding features like ADS, realistic recoil, and better shot registration, Fallout 3 remains rather stripped-back in this department. Real-time shooting in Fallout 3 can often feel pointless, as it's less effective and less fun than using V.A.T.S., and melee combat is about the same as Oblivion's. As such, a Fallout 3 remake could add meaningful improvements to these combat systems, making for a more engaging and appealing moment-to-moment gameplay loop.
Remasters and remakes, when done well, can serve to celebrate classic games, or give older titles a second chance at life. A remake of Fallout 3 wouldn't necessarily have to replace the original—such an iconic release could hardly be erased from public consciousness—but it could allow both new and returning players to experience it in a new light. As exhibited by the likes of the Silent Hill 2 remake, revisiting a classic title can be powerful and enjoyable, and newer editions can exist alongside their progenitors.
- Released
- October 28, 2008
- ESRB
- M for Mature: Blood and Gore, Intense Violence, Sexual Themes, Strong Language, Use of Drugs
- Developer(s)
- Bethesda Game Studios
- Publisher(s)
- Bethesda Softworks
- Engine
- Gamebryo
- Franchise
- Fallout
WHERE TO PLAY
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