Summary
- Fallout 76 needs to maintain consistency and provide regular content updates to keep fans invested in the series until the release of Fallout 5.
- The planned map expansion for Fallout 76 is crucial in keeping the game relevant and providing ongoing experiences for players.
- While Fallout 5 won't be released for many years, Fallout 76 has the potential to continue for a long time with regular updates, similar to the longevity of Grand Theft Auto Online.
Fallout 76 is going to be incredibly important for Bethesda's future if the probable development timeline for Fallout 5 holds up. The Fallout series is one of Bethesda's biggest properties, alongside The Elder Scrolls, so the bar for Fallout 76 to impress is already high based on that alone. The game's place in the series could grow even more important in the near future. Fallout 5 is a title that has been subject to many rumors, and that will likely continue until its actual release. However, it is Fallout 76 that is currently positioned to make the most impact.
Seeing how much Fallout 76 rose following its launch has been impressive, to say the least. Originally considered underwhelming, the developers have since put in a lot of work to fix the game. Through several updates and plenty of maintenance, the game has managed to reach a respectable state, doing wonders to restore its reputation. Just like The Elder Scrolls Online, Fallout 76 is focused on bringing its parent series' gameplay to an online crowd, while also creating new adventures for them to experience in the process. Bethesda's jump into online gaming wasn't flawless, but Fallout 76 has settled into a comfortable place.
Fallout 76 Will Have to Sustain the Series Until Fallout 5's Release
Fallout 5 Won't Come Out for Many Years
While Fallout 5 is exciting to think about, it's worth remembering that Elder Scrolls 6's release is still far away. Since Fallout 5 won't be a priority until after The Elder Scrolls 6 comes out, that means that the wait for it will be even longer. That amounts to a long wait without a new Fallout game coming along, barring any unforeseen circumstances or surprise reveals. While a sequel to Fallout: New Vegas is occasionally speculated on, there isn't any concrete proof of one being planned. It looks like it will be several years before another new Fallout game will hit the market.
Fallout 76 Will Have to Hold Fans Over
Since Fallout 5 is so far away, that puts extra pressure on Fallout 76 to remain consistent. Fallout 76 is still being updated, which is a good sign for the game's future. Simply continuing maintenance may not be enough, though. Since Fallout 5 is so far away, fans will need consistent content updates so the series can continue to feel fresh. If Fallout 76 simply remained as is, it may remain consistently solid, but fans could eventually tire of playing through the same content. Fallout 76 is in the critical position of keeping fans invested in the series until Fallout 5 finally comes out.
Fallout 76 Has the Potential to Continue For Years
Fallout 76 may be under a lot of pressure, but fans can feel optimistic about its future. In particular, the planned map expansion for Fallout 76 is exactly what the developers need to do to remain relevant. Expanding the world, introducing more characters, and adding more quests are all great ways to keep an ongoing game like Fallout 76 relevant. This is especially true considering how core exploration generally is to the experience of playing a Fallout game.
It will probably take several years of updates on a semi-regular basis, but the developers can keep Fallout 76 going strong for the foreseeable future.
It's a simple fact that fans can't expect Fallout 5 to come out anytime soon, and Fallout 76 will have to hold them over in the meantime. Fallout 76 is still worth playing, and it looks to have a bright future ahead. The challenge for its developers will be continuing to keep the game active and relevant during the long wait for Fallout 5. However, with Grand Theft Auto Online managing to last for a decade, the possibility is plausible. For now, Fallout fans have Fallout 76's progress to look forward to.
Fallout 76
-
OpenCritic Reviews
- Top Critic Avg: 54 /100 Critics Rec: 9%
