Is Fallout 4 Going to Be Deeper Than Its Predecessors

There are still no news on the horizon about the next game in the “Fallout” franchise, at least not officially – although rumors are roaming around like usual, and some certainly sound credible. There’s one common thing that all fans of the game seem to want from the next installment though – more depth in the gameplay.

This is something that “New Vegas” did quite well, as it built upon the system established in “Fallout 3” and pushed it forward, adding more complex interactions with the world, more quests, and a more involved storyline that gave the player true choices over its development. This has been done in noticeable contrast with the development of Bethesda’s other main franchise, “The Elder Scrolls”, where the gameplay has been pushed towards simplification for several installments now.

If the trend continues in “Fallout 4”, this could be one of the most complex RPGs in recent time, and the scene is definitely right for such a game at the moment. Gamers seem more mature in their desires, and they no longer want fancy graphics covering up an otherwise shallow gameplay experience – it’s all about freedom of choice nowadays.

Another common complaint about “Fallout 3” that should definitely be addressed in the next game is the technical performance. Bethesda’s games are traditionally known for coming out in a buggy state, only to be fixed several patches later, and “Fallout 3” was no different. If Bethesda take a little more time before releasing “Fallout 4” though, they definitely have a chance of putting it out in a good technical condition, especially since they have a lot of time at the moment, as the game has not been announced yet.

Some rumors have indicated that the game might be announced at the upcoming VGX 2014, although Bethesda are yet to confirm or deny that. The event isn’t too far away – it’s scheduled for December 5 – so it won’t take long before we find out whether the new “Fallout” is coming soon or not. After that, there are a few months leading up to E3, which would be another opportunity to reveal the next game.

Bethesda have a very powerful franchise in their hands, and they could take it in many different directions with the next installment – but it seems that most fans just want more of the same (a lot more), with improvements in the major areas, but no drastic gameplay changes overall. Things like the S.P.E.C.I.A.L system and, since “Fallout 3”, V.A.T.S, have become integral parts of the game, and it would make no sense for Bethesda to take them out at this point. On the other hand, adding a new layer of complexity to the gameplay would not be a bad thing.