Highlights
- Fallout 5 could set itself apart by featuring a ghoul protagonist, a first for the series, allowing players to experience the Fallout universe from a unique perspective.
- Ghouls, who were once human but transformed by radiation, have distinct differences from humans, such as their appearances and raspy voices, making them an intriguing choice for a main character.
- Playing as a ghoul could introduce new gameplay elements, such as conflicts with the Brotherhood of Steel and utilizing radiation immunity for strategic advantages, making Fallout 5 a fresh and memorable addition to the franchise.
Fallout 5 could reach into areas that past games haven't delved into by casting a ghoul as the series' next protagonist. While past games have given players many chances to get familiar with Fallout's ghouls, the option to actually play as one has never been available. While non-feral ghouls largely have the same abilities as human characters, the distinct differences that ghouls have could lead to a Fallout game like none other to date. Every Fallout game needs its own gimmick to stand out, and Fallout 5 could make series history by featuring the first playable ghoul.
When compared to humans, ghouls in the Fallout universe have some drastic differences, even though they were once human themselves. Ghouls have been exposed to extreme amounts of radiation, but rather than dying, they became burned-looking, zombie-like versions of their former selves. While some became feral, essentially becoming animalistic monsters who attack everything in sight, the ghouls tend to remain largely similar to their original personalities. In addition to their new appearances, ghouls typically have rough, raspy voices as a result of their radiation exposure. Unfortunately, even non-feral ghouls are treated with suspicion by some, most notably Fallout mainstays the Brotherhood of Steel.
Fallout 5 May Be the Time For a Ghoul to Take Center Stage
Thanks to companions such as Fallout 4's John Hancock, Fallout 3's Charon, and New Vegas' Raul Tejada, Bethesda is clearly no stranger to the idea of a heroic ghoul. In fact, after an update to Fallout 3, it was possible for Charon to save the Capital Wasteland by activating the water purifier. The next logical step would be for a ghoul to be the main character themselves. The first obstacle may be character creation, since a ghoul may have fewer ways to be customized than a human. However, the developers could devise a way for players to make a ghoul that they're satisfied with.
A story starring a ghoul, similar to Fallout 4's main story, could be ingrained in the past. A lot of ghouls were alive before the bombs fell that created Fallout's wastelands, so many of them have ties to the past world. In fact, how the player creates the main character could determine the ties to their past that originally motivate them. They could search for their home, or try to find any surviving family or friends. Perhaps they could even be in search of an old treasure they thought was lost. Fallout 5 could show the contrast between the wasteland and the world they knew.
Playing as a ghoul could also lead to new gimmicks. While Fallout's Brotherhood of Steel has varied in its portrayal, the player can generally be somewhat civil with them. However, the Brotherhood is violently opposed to ghouls. If a ghoul is the protagonist of Fallout 5, then that game's Brotherhood may function similarly to raiders, being enemies to be fought or avoided. Another twist could be a ghoul's immunity to radiation. That could allow highly irradiated areas to act as hiding spots or treasure troves. It could even be possible for a ghoul in Fallout 5 to use heavy radiation to boost their healing.
A ghoul protagonist in Fallout 5 would be a big change, but it could be a beneficial one. Fallout 5 can be unique among the series for its innovations, and making the main character a ghoul could be the big twist that the game needs. The series has told several kinds of stories over the years, with some more similar than others. Approaching a Fallout game from a ghoul's perspective is one idea that hasn't been tried yet. It would be a daring move, but a ghoul protagonist in Fallout 5 would make its story memorable.