Fallout 5 is coming, and leaks are hinting at a massive open world, new mechanics, and a deeper story. Here’s what’s been revealed so far!

There’s absolutely no denying the fact that Fallout is one of the largest RPGs in the world. Anyone can instantly recognize the series with its unique 1950s aesthetic, diving deep into the era’s obsession and fear of nuclear weapons.

Fallout 5 is one of the most anticipated RPGs of the decade. (Image via Bethesda)

Unfortunately, it’s been more than a decade since we’ve witnessed bombs dropping and adventuring through our favorite post-apocalyptic world in Fallout 4. Gamers don’t really count Fallout 76 into this equation, as it was a multiplayer title that didn’t even perform that well.

Naturally, this has led to everyone itching to know more about Fallout 5, and considering the franchise’s incredible history, a new entry could prove to be one of the best RPGs we’ve ever seen. Although information on the next game is quite scarce, here’s everything we know about Fallout 5.

When will Fallout 5 come out?

Fallout 5 is still years from release. (Image via Bethesda)

IIf you’re someone who is hoping to see another mainline Fallout game anytime soon, there’s some bad news. It’s highly unlikely that Bethesda will drop a release date for Fallout 5 anytime soon. It’s confirmed that the game will eventually happen, but it’s still years away from entering production and then hitting the shelves.

As of now, Bethesda is working hard to develop the Elder Scrolls 6. It’s one of the most anticipated titles in Bethesda’s catalog, and considering the failure of Starfield, the studio’s future depends on this game. That’s not all, though; rumors have also suggested that Todd Howard and his team are working on an Oblivion Remake.

While chatting with Variety, Howard revealed to fans that it takes Bethesda around five years to realize a Fallout game. While the studio does have plans for future entries, they haven’t started exploring what could happen.

Considering all these factors, it’s safe to assume that Fallout 5 won’t be released before 2030 at the earliest. Bethesda won’t begin the work on the title until it’s done with Elder Scrolls 6, and even that game doesn’t have a release date right now. It’s going to be a long wait, but at least we have the Fallout Season 2 to look forward to.

What will Fallout 5‘s story and setting be?

Fallout 5 should take bold steps when it comes to the story and setting. (Image via Bethesda)

Bethesda has confirmed that Fallout 5 will happen down the line, so it’s still not confirmed what the game’s story, setting, or character could look like. However, that doesn’t mean that we don’t have clues about where the future of the franchise could take us.

As Howard was an executive producer on the Fallout Series, he directed the showrunners to avoid a number of subjects that could find their way into the next Fallout game. So, it’s clear that Fallout 5 won’t cover everything that we’re going to see in the TV series.

One thing’s for certain, though: the next Fallout will be set in a US state, as the franchise has always stuck to this aspect. If you’re someone who is looking for a Fallout experience on a new land, consider taking a look at the community’s modding work, which has brought Fallout to London.

Will Fallout 5 be an Xbox exclusive?

The next Fallout might go multiplatform. (Image via Bethesda)

In the past, we’ve witnessed all Fallout games dropping on both Xbox and PlayStation consoles, eventually making their way onto PCs. However, back in 2020, Microsoft decided to purchase Bethesda’s parent company, ZeniMax, for more than $7.5 billion dollars.

What this meant was that Fallout, Elder Scrolls, and other Bethesda titles were now under Microsoft’s wing. With this move, many assumed that the next Fallout entry in the franchise might be an Xbox and PC move.

However, last year, Microsoft revealed that a number of Xbox games would be making their way to Nintendo and PlayStation consoles. We’ve seen rumors surfacing online suggesting that even big names such as Halo and Gears of Wars could be making the jump, and even Starfield is a part of that conversation.

While chatting with GameSpot, Microsoft Gaming CEO Phil Spencer stated that in the future, any Xbox title could make a debut on PlayStation. Could this mean that Fallout 5 will also be a multiplatform release? It’s too soon to say anything, but we’re likely to learn more about this subject when the game enters production.

Will Fallout 5 use a brand-new engine?

Bethesda needs to upgrade its game engine capabilities. (Image via Bethesda)

One of the biggest complaints about Bethesda has been its use of Creation Engine. While the studio has given us some remarkable games with it, its cracks have been getting worse as the years have gone by. Not only do animations and art styles look rough, but the games are also filled with technical problems and loading screens.

While preparing for the launch of Starfield and the Elder Scrolls 6, Bethesda revealed that it has completely overhauled the infamous Creation Engine. According to Howard, it’s the biggest overhaul in the company’s history.

This overhaul came in 2020, but it didn’t look to have much effect, as Starfield was bashed for its poor graphics and performance. All we can hope is that by the time Fallout 5 rolls around, Bethesda will bring even more upgrades to the engine or ditch it in favor of Unreal Engine 5.

The Oblivion Remake is supposed to be based on Epic Games‘ engine, and that’s the first time we’re going to see a Bethesda game that does not use Creation Engine. Fallout 5 must use more advanced tools and completely overhaul all the graphics, lighting, and animations we’ve grown up to see in the franchise.

What could Fallout 5‘s gameplay look like?

Fallout 5 isn’t likely to step away from the roots of the franchise. (Image via Bethesda)

Just like its predecessors, it’s expected that Fallout 5 won’t deviate away from the RPG roots. There have been calls for an integration of multiplayer mode in the mainline games, but Bethesda will likely focus on delivering a single-player experience for which the studio has earned a name for.

We’re most likely to see open-world exploration returning as a key feature. There could be improvements to existing combat systems, such as V.A.T.S. Fallout 4 introduced crafting and settlement mechanics, which are likely to receive enhancements in the next game.

Fallout 5 might also feature the same story-driven quests and faction interactions. However, there’s a high chance that these could end up being more complex than previous entries.

What gamers would like to see in Fallout 5?

The next Fallout game needs a number of new features. (Image via Bethesda)

Now that we’ve covered what we know about Fallout 5 so far, it’s time to take a look at a number of things gamers want from Bethesda in the next title.

One of the biggest things Bethesda needs to improve upon is roaming around the wasteland. As Fallout games have continued to evolve, the open-world environments have become bigger. If Fallout 5 continues on that path, some type of vehicle for exploration needs to be introduced. It’s not an unrealistic expectation and could bring an entire new storyline.

In older Fallout games, karma was a core mechanic that was crucial to experience. However, for some odd reason, Bethesda stripped it in Fallout 4. It’s time for Howard and his team to feature a return of the karma system in the next Fallout title.

It could prove to be one of the biggest improvements for the franchise, bringing back the concept of player choices and consequences that actually result in something.

With that said, are you excited for Fallout 5? Let us know in the comment below