With Bethesda recently releasingStarfieldand locking its sights onThe Elder Scrolls 6, it could be a while before gaming audiences get their hands on another entry in theFalloutseries. At the same time, thesuccess of Amazon’sFalloutTV series, combined with the almost decade-long lapse between releases, means that demand for a newFalloutis greater than ever. In light of these facts, it may be in Bethesda’s best interest to outsource the IP.
It wouldn’t be the first time the company has done something like this. 2010’sFallout: New Vegas, which is often considered the best entry in the series, was not developed by Bethesda Game Studios, the team behindFallout 3and eventuallyFallout 4. Instead, it came from Obsidian Entertainment, and this fresh set of minds allowedNew Vegasto experiment with several role-playing elements that BGS either didn’t consider or decided not to implement in its firstFalloutgame, ultimately leading to a more distinct and original final product. Bethesda could do this again, and there’s one beloved studio that would be the perfect candidate.
Bethesda Should Hand Larian Studios the Reins to Fallout
Larian’s RPG Chops Could Make for a Great Fallout Experience
Larian Studios, the company behind theawards-dominatingBaldur’s Gate 3, has done more than enough to establish itself as a powerful force in the CRPG space.BG3itself is seen by many as the pinnacle of the studio’s prowess, as it provides a deep, dizzyingly complex role-playing adventure, characterized by countless layers of decision-making and multifaceted build variety. Indeed,Baldur’s Gate 3is a triumph within the RPG genre, and it’s clear that Larian still has more gas in the tank.
ThoughBG3catapulted the studio into the mainstream, Larian had already found respect among CRPG fans with theDivinity: Original Singames years prior.
ThoughBG3is a high-fantasy story set in theDungeons and Dragonsuniverse, there’s no reason why Larian couldn’t take a crack at a game in a more modern or post-apocalyptic setting likeFallout’s. Interestingly enough, Larian Studios boss Swen Vincke went on record saying that thecompany was eyeing theFalloutlicense ahead ofBaldur’s Gate 3, which demonstrates, if not a commitment to the property, at least an openness to working on it. Larian bringing its talents, specifically its emphasis on narrative and player choice, toFalloutcould lead to incredible results.
Larian Studios Could Bring Fallout Back to Its Roots
While modern gaming audiences may associateFalloutwith the FPS gameplay established withFallout 3, the franchise was once defined by a very different sort of formula. The first twoFalloutgames were turn-based CRPGswith a top-down perspective, not too unlikeBaldur’s Gate 3. Of course,BG3is a more advanced, complex, and modernized version of this more rudimentary formula, but it maintains the genre’s top priorities, which include narrative, character choice, exploration, and an abundance of dialog.
The modern, post-Bethesda-acquisitionFalloutgames, while they certainly have their own unique strengths, adopt more of an action-RPG framework, where combat and overwhelming scale reign supreme.
This can lead to an immersive and atmospheric experience, as activities like roaming the vast expanses of the Capital Wasteland are valuable in their own right, but it also means that the tabletop-derived RPG mechanics take a back seat. This stands in stark contrast to the olderFalloutgames andBaldur’s Gate 3, which draw heavily fromDungeons and Dragonsand other tabletop games to offer a tighter, more methodical, and more flexible role-playing experience.
Of course, Larian is working on its own projects, so it may not be able to pick up aBG3-styleFalloutspin-off, even if Bethesda was willing to share the license. Plus, it’s hard to say if Larian even wants to stick to theBG3formula for future games. But if the stars aligned, it’s hard to think of a studio more suitable for a third-partyFalloutgame.
Fallout
Fallout is a franchise built around a series of RPGs set in a post-nuclear world, in which great vaults have been built to shelter parts of humankind. There are six main games, various spin-offs, tabletop games, and a TV series from Amazon Studios.
