Fallout may no longer be the RPG series it once was, but that isn’t exactly a bad thing. It’s journey from pen and paper inspired RPG, to modern action shooter, is easy to plot. Franchises change, even more so when they’re reborn and retooled for a new generation. Fallout 4 represents the biggest departure from the classic build. The core RPG elements are gone, replaced with linear stories and reactive shooting action. It’s most curious addition is settlement building, which creates a wealth of opportunity.
Spin-Offs are not a unfamiliar concept within the Fallout franchise. Fallout Tactics saw the franchise flirt with real time strategy. The much forgotten (for good reason) PS2 title Brotherhood of Steel was a brief skirmish into a top down shooter. New Vegas is the most famous spin off, mostly due to the success of Fallout 3. The franchise has even appeared on mobile devices in the shape of Fallout Shelter.
The wastelands hold plenty of potential for a whole host of ideas and spin-offs. Personally, I’m still surprised there hasn’t been a card combat title popped out. Varying levels of success, both critically and financially, may no see huge departures in the style of Tactics and Brotherhood. Spin-offs more in line with the core game, much like New Vegas, feel much more likely.
Settlements may be a optional element to Fallout 4, but their addition has a profound affect on the whole game. Every item found in Fallout 4 has some level of use with the Settlements. Teddy bears, baseballs, mugs, it all has a use. This new found value gives Fallout 4 a whole new gameplay element, the element of resource gathering in order to create.
