Why Fallout 76 Could Resurrect New Vegas' Greatest Feature

Fallout 76's upcoming expansion presents an opportunity to bring back a beloved feature from Fallout: New Vegas that has been absent in recent games. The Fallout series has transported players across the post-apocalyptic wasteland for years, and the new update promises to add yet another area to explore. However, there are certain elements that New Vegas captured perfectly, which have been absent in other titles. With Fallout 76's Atlantic City bearing similarities to New Vegas, there's hope that the expansion will reintroduce this beloved approach.

Despite its rocky start and initial controversies, Fallout 76 has managed to stay afloat for several years and continues to receive updates. As an online spinoff of the Fallout franchise, players are able to team up with friends and traverse the ruins of West Virginia. Along the way, they'll encounter new characters, questlines, and familiar factions like the Brotherhood of Steel and the Enclave. Although it maintains the Fallout feel, Fallout 76 is a unique game in its own right.

Fallout: New Vegas' Design Choices Could Influence Fallout 76

The world design of Fallout: New Vegas is a standout feature of the game, particularly in how it portrays the Mojave Wasteland. Like its predecessors, the game's world is a post-apocalyptic landscape made up of makeshift communities and structures constructed from the remnants of a nuclear war. However, what sets New Vegas apart is the attention to detail in the buildings and structures themselves. Unlike many other areas in the Fallout universe, where old buildings are repurposed, New Vegas showcases how these structures have been effectively converted and maintained. For instance, the houses in Goodsprings are in excellent condition and appear as if they are still inhabited, rather than abandoned since the bombs fell. Similarly, the casinos are immaculate, in stark contrast to the ruined wasteland outside, perfectly embodying the game's Vegas theme.

The potential inclusion of casinos in Fallout 76's Atlantic City expansion presents an opportunity for the game to replicate the impressive aesthetic of Fallout: New Vegas. Given the similarities between the two cities, it would be disappointing if the level of care given to the buildings in Atlantic City fell short of its predecessor. While much of the wasteland is expected to be in ruins, the revitalization of an old community could breathe new life into a previously abandoned building. Fallout 76 can take cues from the design of New Vegas' iconic casinos to ensure that Atlantic City is a polished and visually appealing addition to the game.

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