Fallout 5 is far off on the horizon, but speculating and theorizing about what the next big chapter in the series has in store is compelling. Through the years, Fallout has told gripping post-apocalyptic tales, and the next mainline game will hopefully offer even more insight into an already fascinating world of wastelands and survival.

One of the most effective ways the wasteland comes to life is through Fallout's unique factions that can be found across the country. While there are many notable factions that will likely make an appearance in Fallout 5, the Brotherhood of Steel is practically a given. The Brotherhood of Steel has been featured in every Fallout game in some form, making it one of the most recognizable groups in the franchise. Despite its prevalence in the series, though, Fallout 5 may benefit from setting the faction to the side.

Fallout 4 Power Armor Dog
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Fallout 5 May Want to Give the Brotherhood of Steel a Breather

Putting a Fresh Faction Front and Center

Of course, the Brotherhood of Steel doesn't have to be fully left behind in the next Fallout. However, avoiding being one of the main factions may help keep the game from feeling too predictable and repetitive. This faction, obsessed with keeping advanced technology away from other humans, has a massive impact on the franchise and its lore as a whole, so completely leaving the Brotherhood of Steel behind may not exactly be the right move either.

Instead, the Brotherhood could potentially serve the story better by taking a backseat and making way for either an underused or brand-new faction to play a larger role this time around. Thanks to Fallout's deep lore, there is a treasure trove of forgotten and lesser-known factions just waiting to get some special attention in another installment.

The Brotherhood of Steel is most recognized for its use of pre-war Power Armor.

Smaller Fallout Factions That Could Return

  • The Followers of the Apocalypse (Fallout and New Vegas)
  • Vault City (Fallout 2)
  • Acadia (Fallout 4)
  • The Cult of the Mothman (Fallout 76)
  • The Treeminders (Fallout 3)

Between benevolent factions like The Followers and the Treeminders and the more sinister possibility of revisiting Vault City, Fallout 5 could bring back some long-gone factions that are deserving of further exploration. What factions make an appearance can heavily rely on Fallout 5's yet-to-be-revealed location, but there is also the possibility that some of these groups have spread outside their initial territories.

However, one of the more likely routes for Fallout 5 to take is probably through an all-new faction that has yet to be seen. From Fallout 4's Institute to New Vegas' deplorable Caesar's Legion, these fresh factions have been some of the most compelling throughout the series. Since there is practically nothing known about what Bethesda has planned for the next Fallout game, there is no telling what a new faction could look like. Many, but not all, factions featured in the games have been dependent on location, so it will be fascinating to see how Fallout 5's setting potentially influences its respective factions.

Bethesda director Todd Howard has stated in the past that Fallout 5 will arrive sometime after The Elder Scrolls 6.

Fallout's Newfound Attention Makes the Wait for Fallout 5 Feel Longer

2024 was a surprisingly successful year for Fallout. The success of Amazon Prime's live action series exceeded a lot of fans' expectations. It also introduced the franchise to a fresh audience, which led some newcomers to the games. Now that Fallout has found itself in an unexpected renaissance, many are hoping Fallout 5 is on the way. Unfortunately, it may be a long time before gamers get to experience the next chapter in the series, but when that day finally comes, it will be exciting to find out what factions lie within the game's world.

Rating block community and brand ratings Image
Fallout 4 Tag Page Cover Art
9 /10

Fallout 4
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RPG
Action
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Systems
PC-1 PlayStation-1 Xbox-1
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Top Critic Avg: 87 /100 Critics Rec: 89%
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Released
November 10, 2015
ESRB
M FOR MATURE: BLOOD AND GORE, INTENSE VIOLENCE, STRONG LANGUAGE, USE OF DRUGS
Developer(s)
Bethesda
Publisher(s)
Bethesda
Engine
Creation
Cross-Platform Play
no
Cross Save
no
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WHERE TO PLAY

SUBSCRIPTION
DIGITAL
PHYSICAL
Checkbox: control the expandable behavior of the extra info

Bethesda Game Studios, the award-winning creators of Fallout 76 and The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim, invite you to the ambitious open world of Fallout 4. Do whatever you want in a massive Commonwealth with hundreds of locations, characters and quests.
As the sole survivor of Vault 111, only you can rebuild and determine the fate of the Wasteland. Join multiple factions vying for power or go it alone - the choices are yours.
From a Power Armor-toting soldier to the charismatic smooth-talker, be whoever you want with the S.P.E.C.I.A.L. Character system and develop your own playstyle from hundreds of Perks.
Experience exciting first- or third-person combat with the dynamic Vault-Tec Assisted Targeting System, or V.A.T.S., targeting enemies for maximum tactical advantage (and cinematic carnage!) Collect, upgrade and build thousands of items with Fallout 4's crafting system. Weapons, armor, food and with the right materials, even entire settlements are possible. Welcome home.

Franchise
Fallout
Steam Deck Compatibility
yes
Genre(s)
RPG, Action
How Long To Beat
27 Hours
X|S Optimized
No
PS Plus Availability
Extra & Premium
File Size Xbox Series
51 GB (December 2023)
OpenCritic Rating
Mighty