Bethesda may be the studio that's most associated with the Fallout series, but it only got involved after two games had already been released and was the third developer to tackle one of the titles. In fact, Bethesda isn't even the developer that made the entry that is many consider to be the best – Fallout: New Vegas. Obsidian Entertainment's 2010 game didn't have the smoothest ride after its release, and it seemed controversial to some to release so soon after Fallout 3, especially after such a large gap between the previous entries. Despite these roadblocks, Fallout: New Vegas became a hit with many critics and developed a cult following years after its release.
As a spin-off from the main Fallout games, Fallout: New Vegas was able to set itself apart from the other installments and introduce some new elements to the series. Fallout: New Vegas isn't a direct sequel, but it does contain many of the familiar aspects from the previous games and is set four years after the events of Fallout 3. However, the game takes players into some new regions that incorporate parts of Arizona, California, and Nevada and introduced the memorable city of New Vegas. Fallout: New Vegas may be an incredibly well-regarded game now, but many fans would love to see a remake that could truly do justice to the title's unique setting and city.
A Cult Classic That Overcame Technical Issues
Fallout 3 was a success and announced a new direction for the series with Bethesda at the helm. Shortly after its release, players were treated to even more content as Fallout: New Vegas launched a year after it was first announced and further expanded the Fallout universe. It continued the saga of humanity's struggle to survive in the post-apocalyptic wasteland, but this time the story was delivered by Obsidian and published by Bethesda. Responses to Fallout: New Vegas were initially pretty positive, but the entry was undeniably plagued by glitches and technical issues.
However, many reviewers and players were able to see past the bugs and gameplay issues and appreciate Fallout: New Vegas for what it was – a masterclass in role-playing and worldbuilding. The script, the impact of player decisions, and the immersive world that gamers could explore were all elements that helped the game to overcome the awkward animations and other issues and solidify its eventual reputation as an incredible RPG. Fallout: New Vegas gained a bit of a cult following over the years since its release, and thanks to an active modding community, it still has a committed player base twelve years on.
Why Fallout: New Vegas Fans Want A Remake
The Fallout series' twenty-fifth anniversary is this year, and fans of the franchise were hoping for something special to help celebrate. Bethesda announced that it would be honoring this occasion with some DLC for the divisive spin-off Fallout 76, but this isn't quite what many players were looking for. After some recent comments from Todd Howard that confirmed Fallout 5 wouldn't be on the way until The Elder Scrolls 6 was released, fans know they have a hefty chunk of time in between now and the next mainline Fallout game. While this is a little disappointing, it does leave the door open for some more Fallout-related content in the meantime.
That's why many gamers are hoping that Fallout: New Vegas could get the remake treatment like recent titles such as Final Fantasy 7 and Dead Space. It may have been over a decade since the game was released, and things within the development world have certainly moved on since, but the building blocks for Fallout: New Vegas are so solid already that a remake wouldn't need substantial tweaks. The main thing that it would benefit from would be an overhaul of its visuals and animations, and a look at the design of New Vegas itself.
What It Could Mean For New Vegas Itself
Like other Fallout games, Fallout: New Vegas has a vibrant modding scene that adds everything from gameplay changes to aesthetic upgrades. Many players have added their own design flare and created mods to help improve New Vegas' look, which is definitely one of the aspects of Fallout: New Vegas that has aged the most. A post-apocalyptic version of Las Vegas is an enticing concept in and of itself, and paired with the game's incredible choice-based narrative, Fallout: New Vegas created a really compelling experience. Despite this, it's still clear that the game was held back by technical limitations.
Fallout: New Vegas was released for PlayStation 3 and Xbox 360, which are now several console generations back. Even between a single console generation, graphics and animations can be startlingly different, and it would be incredible to see some properly updated visuals for Fallout: New Vegas and a much-improved design for its titular city. After the pretty poor reception to Fallout 76, it would also be good to remind fans how good the series can be at its peak, and a remade Fallout: New Vegas would fit that bill perfectly.
The game was known as much for its wild and imaginative factions and complex themes as it was for its game-breaking glitches and crashes, and a remake would go a long way to fixing those. In some ways, the technical issues added to the game's charm, but lots of players struggled to handle them, and their Fallout: New Vegas experience was tainted because of it. It was so close to being a perfect game, and a remake could smooth out these rough patches and cement Fallout: New Vegas' reputation as a fantastic RPG.
Fallout: New Vegas is available now for PC, PS3, and Xbox 360.