The Game-Changing Fallout 4 Location that Demands the Next Fallout Game Push Boundaries

Fallout 5 is still a long ways off, but it is definitely in the works. Todd Howard confirmed this in 2021, mentioning that Bethesda has already outlined the basic concept for the new game in a "one-pager." When it comes to the game's setting, Bethesda is likely considering their previous approach. Fallout 3, Fallout: New Vegas, and Fallout 4 all focused on a single city that held dominance over a significant portion of the map, leading many to believe that Fallout 5 will follow suit.

One of the distinguishing features of the Fallout games developed by Bethesda is the incorporation of real-life landmarks. Whether it's the Washington Monument in Fallout 3, the Welcome to Las Vegas sign in New Vegas, or Fenway Park in Fallout 4, each game includes at least one iconic landmark that players will remember. Additionally, there are numerous other real-world locations to stumble upon. While Bethesda strives for authenticity, there is an example in Fallout 4 that shows why the studio shouldn't be afraid to exercise some creative freedom.

Fallout 4's Malden Center Station

Fallout games showcase a combination of both real-world and fictional landmarks. Notable examples in Fallout 4 include Diamond City and The Castle, which were constructed using Fenway Park and Fort Independence, respectively, as their foundations. Players also have the opportunity to explore Spectacle Island, Walden Pond, the Old and New State Houses, the Bunker Hill Monument, and the Old North Church, all of which closely resemble their actual counterparts. The USS Constitution, although modified by its robot crew, serves as a reasonable representation of the oldest ship in the US Navy.

However, certain locations in the game bear little resemblance to their real-life counterparts. One notable example is Malden Center Station. In reality, this station is an elevated train station located above ground in the city of Malden, Massachusetts, a few miles north of Boston Harbor. Bethesda, however, transformed this municipal train station into one of the most captivating and atmospheric locations within Fallout 4.

Fallout 4's version of Malden Center differs from its real-life counterpart as it is an underground subway station. This serves as the headquarters for the raider gang known as Helter Skelter, and upon arriving, the Sole Survivor finds the station in a state of chaos. The upper level of the station has been occupied by Institute Synths, resulting in an ongoing battle. However, the conflict extends to the tunnels below, where synths and raiders continue to fight in the dimly lit passages. This particular dungeon offers a unique experience, beginning with players exploring halls filled with eerie corpses, followed by intense skirmishes deep underground. Such an atmosphere would be impossible to recreate in a real open-air elevated train station like the actual Malden Center.

The non-conformity of Fallout games to real-life locations extends beyond Malden Center. For instance, the Washington Monument in real life lacks the metal framework present in Fallout 3's portrayal. Similarly, the Lucky 38 in Fallout: New Vegas only loosely resembles the tower of the Strat Casino in Las Vegas. Additionally, cities in the Fallout universe feature a greater abundance of art-deco statues compared to typical American cities.

Fallout 5 has good reasons to maintain the authenticity of its landmarks. Just like Assassin's Creed's historical settings, Fallout allows players to virtually explore famous locations they may have only heard of. This not only adds a sense of virtual tourism but also creates a connection to reality within the game's futuristic backdrop.

However, smaller locations such as Malden Center present Bethesda with the opportunity to exercise creative freedom. While iconic places like Fenway Park and Bunker Hill are well-known to most Americans, historical sites like the USS Constitution and Fort Independence are recognized as significant landmarks in Boston. In contrast, Malden Center holds little recognition beyond Massachusetts, and its accurate representation might not be a major concern to the majority. Bethesda should consider this when designing the map for Fallout 5 - maintaining authenticity for major landmarks while allowing for creative liberties in the less significant locations.

Fallout 5 has been confirmed.