Fallout Can Learn From Baldur's Gate's Success

With the release and popularity of Baldur's Gate 3, there is a question on my mind: the game's appeal could indicate the return of Isometric style RPGs to popular culture, but what could this mean for other series from the past? I am talking, of course, about the Fallout series and if it could be time for its return to form.

Those who only ever played the Bethesda-era games might think that Fallout was only ever an FPS. The reality is very different, as the original two games developed by Black Isle Studios were far more RPG-focused. In truth, some fans will claim that these are the better games. However, when Bethesda took over the series, they wanted to make the games more appealing to the market at the time. This change meant minimised RPG elements and made the combat more action-focused. Considering the sales of Fallout 3, this was probably the right idea, but now is the time to look at returning to the old format.

There are several benefits to bringing back the isometric RPG style, but I want to make one thing clear. I don't think it would be a good idea to completely replace the current style. However, I believe there is at least room for a spin-off series or a remake of the originals. Anyway, back to the benefits, and the first one is how current tech could help to improve the RPG elements. Firstly, there is a potential for more open-ended storytelling and conflict resolution. If you don't know what I mean, there are only a few times in the current games where the option isn't shooting people. This isn't helped by the fact that most items and equipment are more combat-focused. However, Isometric RPGs can offer more options for resolving quests and conflicts. For instance, focusing on convincing opponents, exploring maps or simply fully avoiding combat. 

While combat would be an option, having the chance to talk your way out of a fight is always interesting to see. If your party has certain members, they could offer alternative options to resolve the conflict, such as using their influence or knowledge. There could also be more rewards for exploration and reading memos and the like which might offer choices. This has to be more of a moral option, as it often is in later Fallout games (looking at you, Fallout 3 Vampires, looking at you). The advantage to focusing on aspects other than combat is that conflict can be more strategic and still be visually interesting and fun to play. Alternatively, you could just elect to shoot everyone if you want, and any return to Isometric RPGs will have to look at combat.

The developer would need to look at combat because it is arguably where the original Fallouts had issues. The original games were pretty punishing to play, and the seemingly random damage aspects could be a challenge. However, as we saw with Baldur's Gate 3, the improvements to combat can fix this. The first thing to do is arguably include a dice-like mechanic in Fallout and make it clear what is and isn't happening and why the player failed their attacks or persuasions. It is also important to make the fights dynamic and fun to watch, especially as the lack of magic can stale the combat somewhat. This can be done with fluid character animations and reactions, something current technology can do with little difficulty.

There is another bonus, the implementation of strategy to the fights and conflicts. The later Fallout games didn't focus on being strategic (aside from one awful Fallout Tactics: Brotherhood of Steel game); instead, it was more about putting the most amount of firepower into the opponents as possible. However, an isometric style Fallout would allow players to play about with strategy and builds. For instance, the party could include a heavy weapon-wielding Super mutant while your ninja Brotherhood scribe sneaks up to attack from behind. This ability to control the movements of your team would help to make the fights more dynamic and help cover for the lack of magical explosions. 

One of the biggest issues that the old fallouts had was that the visuals and world were ugly. I know what you're thinking, it was an apocalypse, so of course, it was lacking in variety or colour, but Fallout was particularly ugly. The games saved its main artistic moments for the conversations where the majority of characters had animated models. The graphical updates of today could improve this immensely and give a closer look at the action, animate the conversations fully and offer more variety to the combat animations. 

Finally, the larger disk space and memory on offer could mean that more detailed plot lines and side stories could be added. I know that the original two games had some very deep stories, but they were limited. This isn't the case now, and the addition of more potential options would be great to explore and see. This could also include deeper companions with their own stories and detailed expressions and voices. 

While it is unlikely that Fallout will consider changing the way they make games, it is clear that the market is there. It could take the form of a spin-off series or even a full remake of the original Fallout games. Yes, I do mean a remake because the games need more than just a graphical upgrade. What about you guys? What would you like to see in an isometric Fallout game, or did playing Baldur's Gate 3 make you want to go back and experience the original wasteland again?