Summary
The nextFalloutprobably won’t be emerging into the light of day for quite some time. Though it’s a sure bet that developer Bethesda will eventually officially revealFallout 5, the prospects for its release window put it a long ways out. The studio has also had its hands full with continuing support forStarfieldsince 2023 and, of course, is still working on the long-awaited and eagerly-anticipatedTheElder Scrolls 6, puttingFalloutmostly on the back-burner as things currently sit.
Fans ofTESrecently received a big gift with the previously-rumoredThe Elder Scrolls 4: Oblivion Remastereddropping. While this is certainly a welcome way to help to bide the time untilTES6, thewait forFallout 5is set to continue until the end of the decade or even beyond. Given this, there is a good range of related titles that fit well with the franchise’s recognized aspects for fans pass the time until the fifth mainline installment launches.
Games to Play While Waiting for Fallout 5
The Franchise Standards
Starting with Bethesda’s modern take on the IP withFallout 3in 2008, followed by Obsidian Entertainment’s widely-belovedNew Vegas, and then the latest entry inFallout 4 (particularly since it received a new-gen update in 2024 that added further polish and tweaks), all are good lead-offs while gearing up forFO5.Fallout 76has also come a long way since its uneven early period. The MMO spin-off has been picking up steam, especially with its recent addition ofplayable ghoul characters, and is a good entry point to try or return to now.
Along withOblivion Remastered, apotentialFallout 3remasterin the works came to light in 2023 during Microsoft’s court proceedings with the FTC.
Fallout-Like FPS RPG Hits
For players looking for a breadth ofgames with post-apocalyptic settingsakin toFallout, there’s no shortage of picks. Some of the highlights include last year’sStalker 2: Heart of Chornobyland theMetroentries. Many also make excellent use ofFallout’sdepiction of alternate and dystopian futures, notablyDeus ExandCyberpunk 2077’s more futuristic takes on these aspects.
There’s also a lot of crossover in terms of fans who are seeking similarlybig open-worldswith deep RPG systems, complex storytelling and characters, and player-oriented design offering a variety of interesting factions to work with or against. Even before Bethesda’s new franchise inStarfield, Obsidian’s 2019 release,The Outer Worlds, was described as “Falloutin space”, and with a sequel set to arrive later this year, both are great choices.
Finally, there are a few that might be classified as"Fallout-lites", includingAtomfall,Chernobylite, andTerminator: Resistance.These offer perhaps a comparatively less complex but still satisfying mix of similar atmospheres with more streamlined mechanics like those inFallout.
CRPGs and Other Deeper Cuts
For those who want experiences more in line withFallout’s original genre roots, there’s a smaller but still solid selection of titles that can scratch that itch:
TheWastelandseries is actuallyFallout’s ancestor with a focus on isometric and turn-based combat, and like the others listed, the third and most recent entry is an enjoyable ride.
Outside CRGs, 2015’sMad Maxby Avalanche Studios (known forJust Cause)isan intense third-person open-world action-adventure that is further fitting given that the original films served asinspiration forFalloutas a whole. AndFrostpunk’s city-sim survival management channelsFallout Shelter’s. Overall, depending on fans' preference for genres and styles, there are a broad bunch of titles covering many ofFO’s bases that make for sound choices to dive into while passing the time untilFallout 5.
