Fallout 5: Why It Needs to Embrace This Key Feature Post-Starfield

As it stands, Fallout 5 is still a distant prospect, with The Elder Scrolls 6 likely to hit shelves beforehand. This means fans may have quite the wait on their hands. However, examining Bethesda’s latest hit, Starfield, might give us some clues about Fallout 5’s potential direction. Starfield introduced a variety of exciting concepts, some of which might find their way into the Fallout universe.

While there are aspects of Starfield that could influence The Elder Scrolls 6, it actually shares more DNA with the Fallout series due to their technological themes, albeit applied in contrasting ways. Starfield plunges us into an advanced, galaxy-roaming society, whereas Fallout paints a picture of a post-apocalyptic America struggling to survive. Yet, Fallout’s tilt toward sci-fi elements might pave the way for it to borrow a popular feature from Starfield post-launch: land vehicles.

Back in August, Starfield rolled out a major update introducing the REV-8. As the game’s inaugural land vehicle, the REV-8 transformed the player’s journey by enabling them to zoom across planetary landscapes, rather than merely trek through them. This update has been a standout since Starfield’s 2023 debut, and carrying over such an innovation to Fallout 5 could revolutionize the series upon its launch.

Though we can’t yet predict the exact location of Fallout 5, a desolate wasteland is a safe bet. Given Fallout’s tradition of sprawling, radiated environments, the game could significantly benefit from new gameplay elements like land vehicles. These additions could redefine players’ experiences and set this new installment apart.

In Starfield, a second land vehicle called the Deimog was recently added for free, showing Bethesda’s commitment to enhancing gameplay through vehicles.

Fallout traversal has historically involved navigating hazardous terrains. Sure, fast travel becomes available, but some gamers prefer a more immersive trek, trading time for experience. However, introducing vehicles could offer a dynamic, compelling alternative, adding a fresh twist to the franchise.

With Starfield meeting mixed reviews and The Elder Scrolls 6 under wraps, questions are swirling about Bethesda’s vision for Fallout in the competitive RPG landscape. As a live-service title, Fallout 76 can continually evolve, but Fallout 5 needs a powerful launch. While Bethesda excels at post-launch updates, Fallout 5 must deliver unique features from the start to match the momentum and interest generated by these live updates—a robust vehicle system might just do the trick.

As we patiently wait for Fallout 5, Bethesda has the perfect chance to analyze which Starfield innovations have truly struck a chord with fans. While Starfield is not without its flaws, its pioneering use of land vehicles could set a new standard for Fallout.