Summary
Another mainlineFalloutgame has long been all but guaranteed. While developer Bethesda hasn’t offered much in the way of its plans for the next installment of the hugely popular post-apocalyptic franchise, the discussion and speculation around the fifthFalloutentry has been ongoing ever since the most recent title,Fallout 4, dropped back in 2015. Following that nearly 10-year gap, last year’s Amazon TV series put the series back into the spotlight while also introducing its world to a whole new slew of fans.
The show featured Maximus (Aaron Moten) as one of the main characters, initially a member of the Brotherhood of Steel, one of the most iconic aspects ofFallout. Though it’s possible the next game will break from tradition, for now it seems reasonable to assume that the organization will appear in the course of the narrative, even if it isn’t a more central focus, like inFallout 3.As fans stillawait further word aboutFallout 5, and it likely being years down the line, this might give Bethesda the time and chance to potentially shift gears, specifically regarding its standard Vault Dweller protagonists. ForFallout 5, the studio could instead look to include one that, similar to Maximus, is more immediately and firmly connected to the Brotherhood.
Two somewhat lesser-known spin-offs,Fallout: Brotherhood of Steel(2004) andFallout Tactics: BoS(2001), saw players step into the shoes of a faction member. However, these were released prior to Bethesda taking over the IP.
Fallout 5 Already Has Some Excellent Ways to Feature a Brotherhood of Steel Main Character
Present throughout all the major games,the Brotherhood of Steel is literally and figuratively aFalloutinstitution. Bethesda’s first outing after acquiring the property rights,Fallout 3,put an interesting spin on the establishedBrotherhood of Steel lore, history, and its role in the canon.FO3depicted a Brotherhood marked by the Schism, a splintering between the traditionalist Brotherhood Outcasts who were at odds with the local Capital Wasteland contingent headed by Elder Lyons. This angle is just one wayFallout 5can set up a possible Brotherhood protagonist. The TV series contained another intriguing one, though, that might be an even better fit for the next entry.
Onerumor suggestsFallout 5will be set around San Francisco, which could provide room for another interpretation or new Brotherhood subsect.
How Fallout 5 Could Have a Brotherhood of Steel Protagonist Like Maximus
Maximus' story in the show is compelling, and his characterization and portrayal were widely hailed. After being saved as a child by the Brotherhood following a devastating attack on his hometown of Shady Sands, Maximus idolized the group and was set on joining them and working his way up the ranks. But as he does so and gains their trust, he slowly discovers that theBrotherhood of Steel isn’t always quite what it seemsor espouses to be. During his time serving, Maximus becomes increasingly disillusioned both with other members and the Brotherhood’s behavior and methods. After encountering a more traditionalFalloutprotagonist, Vault 33’s Lucy MacLean, he eventually departs to seek his own path in the Wasteland.
In this vein, rather than another Vault Dweller,Fallout 5could thrust fans into a starting role as a Brotherhood Initiate similar to Maxmius. A few possible setups could see this being the case, such as the player character being born and raised under Brotherhood doctrine and training, with them going through their final rites before being assigned a major mission. The plot could entail the main character subsequently questioning its ways and goals, ultimately deciding to leave, and having to face the consequences while surviving on their own.
Another avenue would be forFallout 5to offer a variety of character backgrounds, with one option being a former Brotherhood soldier who left for personal or mysterious reasons, but still retains many of the skills and knowledge of the organization. This creates a way to build upon some ofFallout’s major RPG elements, and would feel right at home in the next game. While it presently remains unknown exactly how it will be incorporated next,Fallout 5has the chance to show the Brotherhood of Steel from different perspectives, and letting fans play directly as a member would open up some great narrative and role-playing opportunities.
