This year, the Fallout franchise is turning 25, and Bethesda is getting ready to celebrate. However, instead of offering a game bundle or an HD port, Bethesda has decided to celebrate it using the controversial Fallout 76. Currently, the studio's only announced plan to celebrate this long-running RPG series is through Fallout 76 DLC, and that would be a mistake.
Over the past 25 years, the Fallout franchise has brought players across the wasteland through four mainline titles and a couple of spin-offs. These games have enthralled fans and have gone through immense change over the years, as what started as an isometric RPG series quickly evolved into open-world adventures filled with comedic moments and heartfelt stories. It has become a staple of the gaming industry and a major part of what makes Bethesda a beloved developer, so the franchise deserves much more.
Fallout's 25-Year History
Fallout began in 1997 with an isometric RPG from Interplay Productions, introducing players to a post-apocalyptic world set decades after nuclear war. The player took control of the Vault Dweller from Vault 13, who has to embark on a journey to find a computer chip that will fix their home's water supply. It introduced various core mechanics like the SPECIAL stats system and open-ended exploration. The game was critically acclaimed upon release and spawned an immense franchise.
Fallout 2 came out a year after, developed by Black Isle Studios this time. It had a much larger world and story than the first entry, taking place 80 years after the events of Fallout. This time around, the player was The Chosen One - grandchild of the original Vault Dweller - who had to defend their tribe from the village of Arroyo. This title was also critically acclaimed and would go on to become a commercial success. Years after the release, Bethesda acquired the rights from Interplay.
The next title in the franchise became a 3D open-world RPG with real-time combat. Fallout 3 hit store shelves in 2008 and was met with universal acclaim, expanding the world of Fallout immensely. This time, players controlled a Vault Dweller from Vault 101 who has to venture into the Capital Wasteland to find their father. This game also introduced the V.A.T.S. system that would become integral to the franchise going forward.
During the gap between Fallout 3 and Fallout 4, Obsidian Entertainment got to play around in Fallout's playground with Fallout: New Vegas, which is now considered one of the best Fallout games around. Players took control of a courier in the Mojave Wasteland who goes on a quest for revenge after being shot in the head. While the gameplay was very similar to Fallout 3, Obsidian expanded upon many features like crafting. Fans have been calling for a sequel, and with Microsoft owning both Bethesda and Obsidian, the possibilities of that occurring are more likely than ever.
Five years later, Fallout 4 released and added much more to the franchise. The game sent players to Boston, controlling the Sole Survivor of Vault 111 on a quest to find their child. It saw the introduction of settlement building, a voiced protagonist, and even more extensive crafting. It was also the first time that console players were able to download mods, though this also led to the creation of the controversial creation club. While it did not reach the heights of previous entries, the game still sold considerably well.
On top of these five titles, there were a number of non-canon spin-offs. Fallout Tactics: Brotherhood of Steel launched in 2001, putting a tactical-strategy spin on things. Fallout: Brotherhood of Steel was a linear title that put players in control of a member of the Brotherhood of Steel, and it was the first game to be released on consoles. Fallout Shelter is a mobile game that launched around Fallout 4, giving players control of their very own Vault. There was also Fallout Pinball, which has a self-explanatory premise.
Fallout Deserves a Bigger Celebration Than 76 DLC
Most recently, Bethesda released the multiplayer title Fallout 76, which brought the series to West Virginia. It was the first game not to have NPCs, though they were later added with the Wastelanders update. The game has been very controversial, but Bethesda seems committed to adding content with frequent updates - including more purchased through microtransactions. Now, the studio will celebrate its series' 25th anniversary with an update to Fallout 76 that brings players back to The Pitt from Fallout 3.
The Fallout series has seen a number of impressive titles over the years, but Bethesda has chosen to hold its celebration in arguably its least liked entry. Bethesda should be thinking big; instead of just doing an update to Falllout 76, it should be offering a bunch of different ways to celebrate. Maybe now is the time for HD updates or remakes to the original Fallout games. Maybe Fallout could do with a game that bundles older titles into one package, or a re-release Fallout 4 with an anniversary update like Skyrim got.
There is nothing wrong with adding The Pitt to Fallout 76, as it is a nice bit of nostalgia for Fallout 3 fans. However, that is not where the celebration should end. This is an anniversary that only happens once, and Fallout is an immense franchise that deserves the most attention it can get. Bethesda should be pulling out all the stops and giving fans a celebration they will remember, and it can do that with more than just a Fallout 76 update.
Fans of Fallout will be able to revisit The Pitt in Fallout 76 this September, but while the studio is hard at work developing Starfield and The Elder Scrolls 6, it needs to honor this long-running franchise in a better way. Time will tell if this is all that Bethesda has planned.
Fallout 76 Expeditions: The Pitt will release on PC, PS4, and Xbox One in September 2022.