Summary
Fallouthas been one of the poster series for post-apocalypse games for a good while at this point. From the original isometric 90s CRPGs that set the world-building and tone, then to Bethesda Game Studios taking over the IP and producing the modern first-person open-world entries,Fallouthas remained a touchstone in the popular sphere for its vision and take on an alternate history nuclear-wartorn America that is equal parts darkly disturbing and absurdly amusing.
Earlier this year, fans were treated to thefirst season of theFalloutAmazon TV series, which took established elements and lore and brought them to life in a live-action setting, introducing an enjoyable collection of fresh characters in the process. In its wake, the show sparked a wave of renewed interest from longtime fans and newcomers alike, boosting attention and player counts for the two most recent games,Fallout 4andFallout 76. Although the next entry, presumablyFallout 5, is likely quite a way out at present, Bethesda should look to capitalize on the goodwill and momentum that the show garnered via one great trend it set off: playable characters based on those from it.
Bethesda recently announced it will be addingplayable ghoul characters toFallout 76in 2025, fulfilling a long-requested fan feature and perhaps indicating this will also be an option in the next main entry.
Fallout 5 Should Piggyback on the TV Show’s Popularity by Including Preset Character Builds From It
Fallout Character Builds Based on the TV Show Are Proving Popular
In the wake of its successful first season and positive reception, fans have been enjoyingcreating and playing as characters from the AmazonFalloutshowin the games. Bethesda itself even shared a breakdown of various applicable stats and perks that gamers suggested for them, encouraging others to try them out for themselves and create and show off their own interpretations. It’s an excellent way to bring the original characters from the live-action series into the game worlds, giving fans a taste of playing in their shoes as well as adding a great meta layer to the experience.
Fallout 5 Should Officially Support and Expand on Character Builds Based on the TV Series
Bethesda has also confirmedthe events of theFalloutTV show as canon, which means it would be a much easier task to insert the likable and recognizable figures from the show into the next game. Lucy MacLean, Maximus, Cooper Howard/The Ghoul, and possibly others could all be available from the start ofFallout 5as choices for fans to play. Along with this and as per the above, they would probably come with a specific distribution of SPECIAL stats and perks. The latter might be integrated into the available pool, allowing players to unlock or choose them later even if they don’t initially opt for one of the pre-generated characters.
The studio could perhaps go even further and have specific dialogue options in line with each of their unique personalities and idiosyncrasies that would add another neat and immersive touch, such as Lucy’s chipper “okey-dokey” refrain or The Ghoul’s snarky quips and world-weary responses when interacting with NPCs. As there is much discussion onhowFallout 5will improve and expand on previous aspects, one excellent way it might do so would be to take the characters from the TV series and fully insert them as playable, creating a firmer link between the two and allowing fans to role-play and experience the story from their perspectives.
Fallout 4
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.
