Two of the biggest names in the RPG genre areFalloutandThe Elder Scrolls. One whisks players off to a fantastical world filled with magic while the other brings them to a post-apocalyptic wasteland. Each franchise goes for a very different feel, but they are both tied together by the studio that makes them. For years now, Bethesda has been delivering fantasy adventures throughThe Elder Scrollsand science-fiction based tales with theFalloutfranchise. Both series have amassed a huge fanbase, and both have been considered some of the best games that the genre has to offer.
FalloutandThe Elder Scrollshave become the focal point of Bethesda’s portfolio, withStarfieldbeing the first new IPfrom the studio in years. However, whileThe Elder Scrollshas always been headed up by Bethesda,Fallouthas had a plethora of studios lending their names to the series. The series not only started under Interplay, but Obsidian also lent its talents toFallout New Vegas.This has made the franchise very diverse with all these studios lending their creative vision to push it forward, and that is something thatThe Elder Scrollshas not benefited from,but maybe it should.
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Fallout New Vegas Stands Out
Fallout New Vegaswas the sixth titlein theFalloutfranchise, but only the second title since Bethesda transitioned the series to 3D. It launched two years after Bethesda releasedFallout 3, and it was developed by Obsidian Entertainment. The title served as a way to bridge the gap during the long wait betweenFallout 3andFallout 4, and it also allowed a new studio to lend its vision to the franchise. As of now, it is considered by many players to be the best game in theFalloutseries and there have been many calls for it to get a sequel.
The story ofFallout New Vegasand the mechanics were very different from theFalloutgames that came before it. The game put players in control of a Courier in the Mojave Desert instead of a Vault Dweller like most otherFalloutgames. Players are seemingly killed at the start of the game, but they are able to climb out of their grave, and they embark on a journey across the desert to find their killer. Along the way, the player will meet all sorts of colorful characters and warring factions in a story that has received immense praise.
Obsidian Entertainmentspent some time improving old mechanics while adding some new features to the series. It improved the combat to make VATS more useful, the character creator was sped up, and a bunch of new perks were added. The studio also expanded upon crafting, which was even further expanded upon by Bethesda forFallout 4. On top of all that, the game also saw the return of the reputation system fromFallout 2and companions were given far more depth.
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Elder Scrolls Fans Have Long Waits Between Entries
Fallout New Vegasnot only allowed another developer to lend its vision to the franchise, but it also helped giveFalloutfans content to play while Bethesda was busyworking onThe Elder Scrolls 5: Skyrim. Instead of taking away resources from that game, Bethesda partnered with Obsidian and allowed it to craft its own title set in Las Vegas. The studio hasn’t done this much since, and that is why Bethesda fans tend to have such a long wait on their hands.
Starfieldwill be hitting store shelves soon, unless it gets delayed, and then Bethesda will work onThe Elder Scrolls 6.That is great news forElder Scrollsfans, but it’s been a long time since the last single-player RPG set on Tamriel. While ZeniMax Online Studios did releaseThe Elder Scrolls Online,fans of the franchise have had no single-player experience to sink their teeth into besides the constantSkyrimre-releases. AfterThe Elder Scrolls 6releases, Bethesda will be working onFallout 5which means thatElder Scrollsfans are probably in for another long wait forThe Elder Scrolls 7.
Elder Scrolls New Vegas Could Reinvent Tamriel
Making a video game takes time, but sometimes the length between titles is just a little too long. It has been 11 years since the lastgame in the series, and it willno doubt be even longer untilThe Elder Scrolls 6is in the hands of the players because it is still in pre-production. However, Bethesda could alleviate this wait if it allowed another studio to take Tamriel for a spin. That does not mean just moreElder Scrolls Onlineexpansions or a mobile game, but a fully-fledged single-player RPG likeFalloutgot withFallout New Vegas.
Since its inception,The Elder Scrollsseries has been headed up by Bethesda. While some studios have helped make various spin-off titles likeThe Elder Scrolls Online, there is yet to be a single-player RPG headed up by another developer. Bethesda has done a great job with the franchise so far, but maybe it is time for another studio to lend its creative vision toa world as expansive as Tamriel. It could not only inject new life into the fantasy world, but it could also allow Bethesda to focus on other projects without leavingThe Elder Scrollsfans out to dry.
Fallout New Vegasis considered by many to be thebest game in theFalloutseries, and it was not even made by Bethesda. It was a fresh new take on the series, and it allowed Bethesda to focus on other projects while also givingFalloutfans something to chew on.The Elder Scrollscould benefit from something similar as fans have to wait way too long for the next chapter. For a fantasy world as expansive as Tamriel, it would only make sense to let another studio run around in it for a bit.
