Summary
- Starfield's shipbuilding system offers players creative freedom to modify ships, a feature that could enhance Fallout 5's gameplay experience.
- Fallout 5 could potentially adopt a vehicle-building system similar to Starfield's shipbuilding mechanic for a unique gaming experience.
- While implementing a vehicle system in Fallout 5 may alter the game's core DNA, the concept of customizable vehicles could set it apart from other titles.
Despite its initial success, Bethesda's sci-fi adventure Starfield has received a fair share of criticism. Much of this criticism has targeted the developer's claims of what Starfield would be, as it hasn't quite lived up to those claims ahead of the release of its Shattered Space DLC. Even so, there are plenty of things that Starfield gets right, from having some of the best gunplay to date in a Bethesda title to now having an advanced map system after its 1.11.36 update. Some of Starfield's best features may even go on to influence future Bethesda titles, including one noteworthy feature that should find its way into Fallout 5.
The release of Fallout 5 is still a long way off, which means there is plenty of time to add one of Starfield's most innovative features to the game. Specifically, Starfield's shipbuilding is a highly creative system, allowing players an unprecedented amount of freedom to modify ships from both a cosmetic and functionality standpoint. Of course, if Fallout 5 were to implement a similar system, it would be in an entirely different context and would therefore need to be adjusted accordingly. Still, there is more than enough room for a feature like this in Fallout 5, and Starfield has already laid the foundation for it.
Fallout 5 Should Fully Embrace a Trend Sparked By The Amazon Series
Riding high on the massive popularity of the Fallout TV show, the next game could take a fun fan trend and incorporate it into its design.
Fallout 5 Should Incorporate a Version of Starfield's Shipbuilding System
Starfield Allows Players Immense Freedom to Modify Ships
While it's not possible to start building a ship from scratch in Starfield, players are still given a surprising amount of freedom to modify ships already present in the game. If players do wish to create an entirely original ship in Starfield, from the shipbuilding screen, each part of a ship they own can be deleted until the canvas is completely blank, thereby allowing them full rein in the creation process. So long as players then have the credits to purchase the necessary parts and each part is fitted properly to ensure the ship will fly, they can build the ship of their dreams. It is a very innovative system for a Bethesda game and one that Fallout 5 should adopt — although it could drastically change the world of Fallout.
Fallout 5 Could Use a Similar System to Let Players Modify Vehicles
If Fallout 5 were to utilize Starfield's shipbuilding system, it would obviously need to be a vehicle-building system instead. However, this change in direction shouldn't diminish the creative liberty offered by Starfield's shipbuilding mechanics, as it would make even more sense in the world of Fallout for players to piece together a rugged-looking vehicle with spare parts and chassis they may find scattered throughout Fallout 5's Wasteland. There have been mods created that allow players to drive vehicles through Fallout games such as Fallout 4, but nothing official has been implemented in recent memory.
Unfortunately, while this might make sense from a context perspective, it would be a drastic and possibly divisive move for the series that might ultimately impact Fallout 5's DNA as a proper Fallout game.
Todd Howard has long said that the Wasteland is one of the main characters of the Fallout series. As such, it might be difficult to implement a vehicle system while still honoring that sentiment. After all, driving through the Wasteland at high speeds might do a number on the game's exploration aspects and diminish the role of the environment in Fallout 5's story and world — not to mention the scarcity of resources in the Wasteland that vehicles would be directly affected by. Nevertheless, the ability to use vehicles, especially customizable ones, in a modern Fallout game would certainly set Fallout 5 apart from the rest, all while providing Bethesda with an excuse to develop an even larger world than past Fallout games.
Fallout 4
- Released
- November 10, 2015
WHERE TO PLAY
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.
- ESRB
- M FOR MATURE: BLOOD AND GORE, INTENSE VIOLENCE, STRONG LANGUAGE, USE OF DRUGS
- Developer(s)
- Bethesda
- Publisher(s)
- Bethesda
- Engine
- Creation
- Franchise
- Fallout
- Platform(s)
- PC, PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X, Xbox Series S
- How Long To Beat
- 27 Hours
- File Size Xbox Series
- 51 GB (December 2023)
- Metascore
- 87
- PS Plus Availability
- Extra & Premium
