Summary
Whenever the nextFalloutis released, it will hopefully serve as a major step forward for the series. There are a number of ways that Bethesda can improve and build upon theFalloutformula, many of which boil down to a matter of preference, but combat stands out as a clear problem area for both fans and critics of the franchise.
Although it’s seenimprovement in games likeStarfield, Bethesda’s approach to combat has always been a cut below many other leading shooters and RPGs. This isn’t necessarily a bad thing, as players are typically drawn to Bethesda RPGs for their world-building, well-written quests and lore, and atmosphere, rather than their exhilarating gunplay and hand-to-hand fighting mechanics. That said, it’s hard not to imagine how much better a game likeFallout 4could be if the combat was a little bit deeper and more refined. Specifically, while shooting mechanics in Bethesda games have been gradually improved with each release, melee combat remains mostly unchanged, much to the chagrin of players who prefer to run a melee build.
Bethesda Should Hone In On Melee Combat Problems in Fallout 5
The Problems With Fallout’s Melee Combat
TheFalloutfranchise has never had amazing combat, but many gamers have been able to look past this thanks to solid RPG systems and combat features like VATS that make weak real-time mechanics irrelevant, if only for a moment. However, shallow and clunky combat can also be frustrating and underwhelming, especially for those looking to experiment with different gear and character builds. With melee weapons and unarmed combat having a number of practical advantages for those looking to take an unconventional route, it’s a shame that the franchise has never managed to make these approaches as fun as they could be.
These melee combat problems apply to the contemporaryFalloutgames, not the turn-based CRPGs from Interplay.
Melee combat inFalloutgames is mostly stat-focused, with player input having little to no impact on the outcome of fights.Stat boosts, high-end gear, andbuffs are what determine melee efficacy inFallout, not skill, as melee gameplay often comes down to simply mashing the attack button or leveraging VATS until an enemy is defeated.Fallout 3and its successors all feature blocks and heavy attacks, andNew Vegasadded some additional, minor tweaks, but these inclusions do little to help the overall feeling that melee is laborious and rather shallow, especially at lower character levels.
How Fallout 5 Can Improve the Series' Melee Combat
Fallout 5should deepen and expand the series' melee combat. The changes wouldn’t necessarily need to be transformative, as things like more enemy reactivity and more weapon-specific combos would go a long way toward making real-time melee more enjoyable, rather than somethingoverly reliant onFallout’s VATS.Fallout 4features a satisfying counter system, which can stun enemy NPCs,so perhaps building on this framework by fleshing out a consistent and weighty parry mechanic would also help improve melee combat, raising its skill ceiling while making hand-to-hand fighting more engaging and expressive.
Bethesda’s RPGs are often ambitious when it comes to world-building and role-playing options, but actual gameplay seems to take a back seat much of the time. Indeed, while visuals, quality of life, and scope are considerably expanded and iterated upon with each release, combat mechanics mostly only see incremental improvement. WhetherFallout 5is dramatically differentfrom the rest of theFalloutseries remains to be seen, but making some noticeable and meaningful changes to melee combat would likely make for a more flexible, satisfying, and rewarding overall gameplay experience.
Fallout 4
WHERE TO PLAY
Bethesda Game Studios, the award-winning creators of Fallout 76 and The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim, invite you to the ambitious open world of Fallout 4. Do whatever you want in a massive Commonwealth with hundreds of locations, characters and quests.As the sole survivor of Vault 111, only you can rebuild and determine the fate of the Wasteland. Join multiple factions vying for power or go it alone - the choices are yours.From a Power Armor-toting soldier to the charismatic smooth-talker, be whoever you want with the S.P.E.C.I.A.L. character system and develop your own playstyle from hundreds of Perks.Experience exciting first- or third-person combat with the dynamic Vault-Tec Assisted Targeting System, or V.A.T.S., targeting enemies for maximum tactical advantage (and cinematic carnage!) Collect, upgrade and build thousands of items with Fallout 4’s crafting system. Weapons, armor, food and with the right materials, even entire settlements are possible. Welcome home.
