Whether or not Fallout 4 is in the works is uncertain at this point. All signs point toward a positive answer, however, Bethesda’s official stance would state otherwise. So far the company has been extremely silent about a potential Fallout sequel, but logic would only dictate that the company is at least considering making one. Hoax websites such as TheSurvivor2299 fueled hype for Fallout 4, and leaked casting documents hinted at the fact that at least voice actors have been hired to work on the game, which is rumored to be set in Boston. Regardless, it’s going to come out sooner or later, and while we loved Fallout 3 and New Vegas, there are a couple of things we’d like to see improved/added to Fallout 4.
[promo title=”Better companions”][/promo]
Companions were an important part in previous Fallout games, but there’s certainly room to improve. We’re expecting to see much more dynamic and interactive companions in Fallout 4, with more complex story-lines and passive dialogue. Talking to them was great before, stopping to do so…not so much. The option to have a chat with them while exploring the wasteland would be greatly appreciated, and frankly, necessary. Some of the previous companions were dull, and I personally preferred playing without one. The AI didn’t really help, and despite having unique quests, companions were usually a nuisance. More complex/useful companions with better AI and an interesting tale to tell would be a nice addition.
[promo title=”Improved Fast-Travelling”][/promo]
Fallout was always based on an open-world concept, and this is unlikely to change in Fallout 4. We’re probably going to see an even larger, more interactive world that’s going to encourage exploration. Still, it’s frustrating to have to walk through familiar routes over and over, and things like travelling back to your home meant looking at several loading screens. A better implemented fast-travelling system and an easier to access house would go a long way in ensuring that exploration doesn’t turn into frustration.
[promo title=”Improved Crafting”][/promo]
We’ve seen the first signs of real crafting in Fallout 3 and New Vegas, but there’s definitely a lot to improve. While some of the weapons and gear you could previously craft were hilarious and deadly, variety wasn’t exactly through the roof. Fallout 4 should expand upon a solid foundation and provide more things to tinker with, more complex combinations and definitely more variety in terms of what you can actually build. It’s a wasteland survival game, so crafting should be an essential part of that.
[promo title=”A revised inventory system”][/promo]
Speaking about crafting, one particularly annoying game design flaw was the fact that most components used for crafting were heavy as hell, and gathering materials meant doing runs over and over again due to carrying weight limitations. Realism is one thing, but ultimately Fallout is a singleplayer experience, so some tweaks here and there would certainly help things along. Crafting and gathering junk is fun, carrying and depositing it repeatedly isn’t. One possible solution would be some sort of on-the-go crafting system that would allow you to at least refine the heavier items that you’re picking up.
[promo title=”Multiplayer”][/promo]
Whoa, before you pull out your Lincoln rifle and pump the GamerHeadlines team full of led, hear us out! We know that Fallout is in fact a singleplayer game, and we don’t want to see that change. While we’d be curious about a Fallout-based MMORPG (there’s certainly potential in the concept), we want Fallout 4 to stick to what the series is best known for and loved for. Still, if Bethesda manages to implement a nice co-op multiplayer mode, we wouldn’t mind. What could be more fun than exploring the Wasteland with a couple friends, while sipping on some cold (and preferably not Nuka) Cola.
There would also be potential in dedicated competitive maps for deathmatch games, without the V.A.T.S. system of course. As long as multiplayer wouldn’t harm the core singleplayer experience, we’d certainly love to play Fallout 4 with or against some friends. Shooting Super-Mutants is great fun, but launching a nuke on your buddy could provide some good laughs too.
[promo title=”Mounts/Vehicles”][/promo]
Think about that poor Vault Dweller, running around an irradiated wasteland, carrying heaps of weapons and gear. He sure isn’t skipping leg day! Helping him out with some sort of transportation couldn’t hurt. Crafting up some sort of vehicle, or riding some irradiated critter would sure be a great addition. It doesn’t have to be intrusive, but if we look at what Bethesda has done with mounts in Skyrim, we could envision something similar in Fallout 4 too.
[promo title=”More of that epic soundtrack”][/promo]
There was always something magical about how well Bethesda chose its soundtrack for Fallout 3 and New Vegas. Those tunes stuck with players, and for a good reason. The only bad thing about the soundtrack was the fact that it did become repetitive after awhile, due to the limited number of featured songs. There’s plenty where that came from, and we know Bethesda can make a great selection, so we want to hear more of the same in Fallout 4.
[promo title=”Better FPS mechanics”][/promo]
Fallout 3 and New Vegas were RPGs first, FPS games second. You could entirely avoid the FPS aspects by relying on the V.A.T.S. system. Unfortunately, the weapon recoil mechanics and general FPS aspects were rather lackluster and felt neglected. If you’re going to play Fallout 4 as an RPG alone, you should still have the V.A.T.S. at your disposal. But for those that like to mix and match and rely on their aiming skills too, it would be nice to see a refined shooting mechanic. There are plenty of great FPS games to draw inspiration from, and we’ve seen the Mass Effect franchise do the same more successfully. We’re really hoping Fallout 4 will feature more complex weapon effects and a more polished shooter experience.
[promo title=”Improved Morality”][/promo]
Let’s face it, it was either the good way, or the bad way. Middle-ground wasn’t exactly a part of Fallout 3, and that was a shame. In such a complex world, you’d expect more shades of gray rather than plain black or white. More moral choices with more dire consequences would be a nice addition to Fallout 4, and one of the most important ones from the list. Choices shouldn’t come down to “blow up the town” or “disarm the bomb and save everyone”.
[promo title=”More variety in settings”][/promo]
Yes, Fallout takes place after a nuclear disaster. You’d expect the game to be centered around barren wastelands, deserts and ruins. Still, adding a little bit of diversity to the landscape could be pulled off successfully. We suspect Fallout 4 will be taking place around the Boston area. Perhaps a settlement built out on the ocean? Or maybe a flourishing society that made proper use of the G.E.C.K? There are certainly options, and while we love seeing sand and shades of yellow all around, it couldn’t hurt to at least get a glimpse of blue and green every now and then.
That pretty much sums it up for us. What would you guys want to see in Fallout 4? What aspects of the previous games didn’t you like and want improved? Make sure to let us know in the comment section below.
