The Untapped Potential: Fallout 5's Revolutionary Take on Raiders

One significant change that could be made to Fallout 5's raiders is incorporating ideas from Fallout 76. It is difficult to imagine a Fallout game without raiders, as they have consistently appeared at various levels throughout the series. However, even long-running aspects of the series can benefit from innovation from time to time. Given the undeniable presence of raiders in the Fallout universe, Fallout 5 could introduce a completely new version of these familiar enemies, providing a fresh experience for fans.

While Fallout's raiders cannot be compared to Super Mario's Goombas in terms of physical interaction, their roles are somewhat similar. They are among the most common adversaries in the game, but their weaponry makes them far more dangerous than Goombas typically are. Unless a specific area of the map is completely controlled by monsters or a particular faction, it is almost guaranteed that raiders will be found roaming around. Players of all skill levels will eventually have to face them in quests and random encounters. In most cases, there is no option for the player to negotiate or avoid a confrontation with raiders.

Fallout 5's Raiders Might Not All Have to be Evil

Fallout 76's Wastelanders DLC introduced several new features, including different factions of raiders in the Appalachia wasteland. One such group, known as the Blood Eagles, displayed typical raider behavior, being aggressive and hostile towards the player. However, there were also the Crater Raiders, who offered a unique opportunity for players to engage with them, forming alliances and exploring their own storylines. This presented a fresh perspective on raiders compared to previous Fallout games, showing that not all raiders are inherently evil.

While Fallout 76 was not the first game in the series to offer nonviolent interactions with raiders, it marked a significant departure. In Fallout 4's Nuka-World DLC, players could assume leadership roles among raider factions in a theme park setting. However, these factions remained undeniably villainous throughout the questline. One could argue that the Great Khans storyline in Fallout: New Vegas also centered around raiders, but they operated with a higher level of organization compared to the typical raider gangs in the series, despite their unlawful activities. Although the Great Khans were handled well, Fallout 76 provided the most nuanced portrayal of traditional Fallout raiders.

There is immense potential for Fallout 5 to further explore and develop its raiders. By introducing new elements and possibilities, Fallout 5 could offer a plethora of fresh roleplaying opportunities within the raider community. For instance, players may come across a group of individuals who, though forced by circumstances, have resorted to scavenging in order to survive. Alternatively, they could encounter a raider crew that adheres to certain principles and refuses to compromise. Of course, the traditional violent raiders would still exist, serving as a contrasting presence to the more sympathetic characters. Consequently, delving deeper into the raider faction in Fallout 5 could unlock unexplored storytelling ideas.

Despite their significant presence in the Fallout universe, raiders have seldom played a prominent role in the main storyline. However, they remain an integral part of the Fallout universe. Fallout 5 could draw inspiration from Fallout 76 by utilizing the opportunity to introduce fresh perspectives and experiences with the wasteland's raiders. The game's narrative could focus on the distinct situations experienced by raiders in the wasteland, or it could be featured through various side quests scattered throughout the game world. Either way, a renewed outlook towards Fallout 5's raiders would undoubtedly enhance the game's level of intrigue and interest.

Fallout 76 is available now for PC, PlayStation 4, and Xbox One.