The post-apocalyptic RPG franchise has amassed plenty of fans over the years, and many were excited by the announcement that Fallout 5 was (sort of) on its way. The next Fallout may be a good few years away yet – Todd Howard confirmed it wouldn't begin production until after The Elder Scrolls 6 releases – but players are already speculating about what the upcoming installment might entail. The Fallout series has undergone some big updates over the decades, including changes to its developer and publisher, and the next entry could continue to evolve key features like companions to keep the franchise fresh.
NPC companions have been littered throughout previous Fallout tiles, like the fan-favorite furry friend Dogmeat. This can be a popular element of an RPG, as gamers have a chance to learn more about the world through their AI helpers, and was something that Fallout 4 expanded in interesting ways. While companions have started to become more diverse as the franchise moves forward, some players would like to see even bigger changes such as introducing more Super Mutant companions like Strong who can change perceptions of the large characters from meathead tanks to more nuanced individuals.
Super Mutants In Fallout
The Fallout franchise has been going strong since the late nineties, so it's had more than a few years to establish its radiation drenched world and dive into its rich and varied lore. Players are encouraged to explore the different wasteland regions, and they'll come across lots of interesting stories and intriguing characters along the way. Some of the narratives are heartbreaking, some explore the ramifications of human greed, and some show the devastation that scientific discoveries can cause when in the wrong hands.
Super Mutants and the story of their creation is definitely a part of the Fallout lore that could fall into any of those categories. In the original Fallout games, Super Mutants were the result of an experiment gone awry at the Mariposa Military Base, and were a man-made menace that plagued the already woe-begotten world. Fallout 3's Super Mutants were created through the Evolutionary Experimentation Program in Vault 87 where vault dwellers were subjected to the Forced Evolutionary Virus, and Fallout 4's Super Mutants are a slight variation of this and came from the Institute.
Players may at first wish to avoid characters like ghouls and mutants – in some cases out of necessary self-preservation – but Super Mutants are an excellent example of how groups can evolve as the series goes on. At first seemingly mindless, violent monsters, Super Mutants were able to mutate into something more, showing how the world of Fallout is adaptable and nuanced. Fallout 5 will no doubt continue to delve deeper into the franchise's lore and explore new ways to develop the characters and creatures in the series so far, like the intimidatingly large Super Mutants and their complicated history.
Super Mutants As Companions
Gamers know that the wastelands are a perilous place, particularly if they go alone. Bringing along a companion who's handy with a gun doesn't hurt, and Super Mutants can be among the most formidable allies around. Their ferocity, strength, and resilience make them difficult to take down, and having one at the player's side brings plenty of perks. Marcus was an unexpected companion in Fallout 2 and Strong was a fascinating addition to Fallout 4, and both provided a contrast to more traditional companions like Dogmeat or Preston Garvey.
Players will have no doubt encountered many Super Mutants in their time if they're fans of the Fallout franchise, but recruiting companions like Marcus or Strong was a chance to put aside their prejudices and learn more about the intimidating creatures as they took on a more positive perspective. Super Mutants are not only supremely strong and tough, but some can be surprisingly intelligent despite what players might think. Marcus was the sheriff of Broken Hills, a community where humans and mutants were able to live together, and Strong provided an insight into how Super Mutants could live peacefully and communally. Both characters are a reminder not to judge characters by their outward appearance, and that's something Fallout 5 could (and should) explore further.
Future Changes For Fallout Companions
Companions have been a feature of Fallout ever since the first game, with characters that could be recruited to help gamers with their quests like the Shady Sands guard Ian or Followers of the Apocalypse member Katja. Not only can they provide players with perks and add some extra muscle to combat situations, but they can also bring new layers to the Fallout games' stories. They add context, companionship, and even emotional heft in some instances, as well as just making certain situations more interesting.
Unlike games like the Dragon Age, Mass Effect, and Final Fantasy series, players can't bring multiple companions along as they travel around the desolate environments, with only a few exceptions. This makes the bonds players make with their potential allies even more special, and puts pressure on the developer to create meaningful connections and interesting characters. Fallout 4 definitely upped its game when it came to companions characters, and many players hope Fallout 5 continues this trend.
Adding the fan-favorite synth detective Nick Valentine and the ghoulish John Hancock to the cast of characters players could befriend and recruit, Fallout 4 moved away from the more familiar human and canine companions to try something a little different. The Fallout franchise is rich with lore, and there are lots of new directions Fallout 5 could take its companions. Adding more Super Mutant characters with complicated backstories, unexpected personality traits, and unique perks would be a great way to show how the series is continuing to evolve and adapt as it releases new entries.
Fallout 5 has been announced.