Fallout 5's Protagonist Should Be More New Vegas and Less Bethesda

Fallouthas given gamers what is likely the most iconic depiction of a post-apocalyptic nuclear setting in the entire medium, and perhaps even beyond. Over the course of its releases, Fallout has built and established one of the most engrossing worlds through its characters and locations, creating a foundational world that personifies what many imagine when invoking the image of a nuclear war that ravaged the Earth. Reaching back to the 1997 original, players usually start off as a Vault Dweller, one of the inhabitants of the underground bunkers constructed to withstand the bombs dropping on the surface.

After the IP passed to Bethesda Game Studios, the tradition was rigidly adhered to. While this framework is effective for introducing and immersing fans at the beginning of each game, it's also becoming somewhat predictable. Even the recent popular Fallout Amazon TV series positioned its protagonist, Lucy MacLean, as a fresh-faced Vault resident thrust into the Wasteland. Though it's practical for the studio to utilize this device, as it caters to both longtime fans and newcomers, there are solid arguments to be made for Bethesda to look to Obsidian Entertainment's vision forFallout: New Vegas' non-Vault Dweller protagonist for the fifth numbered entry in the franchise.

Fallout 5's Protagonist Should Channel New Vegas' Courier Over Bethesda's Vault Dwellers

Bethesda's Fallout Vault Dweller Protagonists May Be Getting a Little Stale

Breaking down the origins of each protagonist from the mainline titles:

Notably, in the Bethesda-produced titles (Fallout 3, 4, and 76), all hail from a Vault, and are rooted in the viewpoint that is attached. As Fallout 76 is an MMO, the specifics of the characters are looser to allow fans to role-play and decide their own place in the Wasteland. Nevertheless, lore states that they all originated in the titular vault, and thus every character falls under the same banner in this regard.

The major exceptions are the second title, where the main character is actually the grandchild of Fallout 1's Vault Dweller, and New Vegas. The latter's mysterious Courier, whose backstory remains largely undefined and unexplained, makes them one of the best and most unique Fallout protagonists featured so far.

Fallout: New Vegas' Courier was a Much-Needed Breath of Fresh Air, and Fallout 5 Should Take Note

Fallout: New Vegas is widely credited with being truer to the nature of the series in many ways, particularly its storytelling and RPG elements, and the Courier breaking from the tradition of Bethesda's titles also sets it apart. The Courier is central to the machinations of the major Mojave players, Mr. House, the New California Republic, and Caesar's Legion, and provides a much different window for fans to experience the plot.

Bethesda then could consider thinking outside the bounds of its previous protagonist conventions for Fallout 5, and look to emulate the intriguing possibilities allowed by no longer restricting its protagonist to starting off as a Vault Dweller, ala the Courier in New Vegas. This would free up avenues for the narrative and upend expectations in the process, making Fallout's Vaults alien and intimidating (even more so than usual) to a character who has not been born and raised in one.

A bigger stretch might be to offer either option, though this would likely impact the plot to such a degree that it may not be reasonably feasible. Still, having a main character begin from the viewpoint of a native Wastelander or another outsider like the Courier versus a Vault resident could inject a lot of fresh perspective into the next game.