Exploring the Wastelands of Space: What Game Captures the Fallout Vibe Among the Stars?

The burning question on many gamers’ minds is: what game offers a “Fallout in space” experience? While no single game perfectly replicates the unique blend of post-apocalyptic charm, dark humor, and intricate RPG mechanics found in the Fallout series, Starfield emerges as the closest contender. Bethesda’s latest epic borrows heavily from the Fallout formula, transplanting its core gameplay loop into a vast, explorable cosmos. From outpost building and customizable weapons to branching narratives and a morally gray world, Starfield wears its Fallout inspiration on its sleeve. However, other contenders such as The Outer Worlds and even certain aspects of No Man’s Sky provide unique takes on the spacefaring RPG, offering distinct alternatives for players seeking that familiar Fallout feeling in a new galactic setting.

Starfield: The Obvious Heir to the Fallout Throne?

As the article snippets suggest, the comparisons between Starfield and Fallout are pervasive and intentional. Both games share a core DNA developed and refined by Bethesda Game Studios. This shared heritage manifests in several key areas:

• Exploration and Open World Design: Like Fallout, Starfield features a massive world (or in this case, a galaxy) begging to be explored. While Starfield boasts 1000 planets, the density of meaningful content on each planet varies, but the freedom to chart your own course is undeniably present. This mirrors the wide-open spaces of Fallout 4’s Commonwealth, encouraging players to stumble upon hidden locations, engaging side quests, and memorable characters.

• Character Creation and Customization: Both series place a strong emphasis on character creation and customization. Players can tailor their characters’ skills, perks, and backstories, influencing their interactions with the world and their effectiveness in combat. In Starfield, this system is arguably more robust than in previous Bethesda titles, offering greater depth and flexibility.

• Base Building and Resource Management: Fallout 4 introduced a settlement-building mechanic that, while divisive among fans, added a new layer of gameplay. Starfield expands upon this concept with its outpost system, allowing players to establish bases on different planets, mine resources, and craft items. This feature echoes the resource scarcity and survival elements present in the Fallout universe.

• Combat and Weaponry: Starfield’s combat system feels like a natural evolution of Fallout 4’s shooter mechanics. While aiming for smoother gunplay and a wider variety of weapons, the core principles remain the same. Players can utilize VATS-like abilities (although in Starfield it’s a slow-down mechanic), customize their weapons with various mods, and engage in tactical combat encounters.

• Moral Ambiguity and Faction Choices: Both Fallout and Starfield present players with morally complex choices and opportunities to align themselves with different factions. These choices have tangible consequences, shaping the game world and influencing the narrative. This emphasis on player agency is a hallmark of Bethesda’s RPG design.

Beyond Starfield: Other Spacefaring Adventures with Fallout Vibes

While Starfield currently holds the crown as the most direct “Fallout in space” experience, several other games offer similar elements and themes.

• The Outer Worlds: Developed by Obsidian Entertainment, the studio behind the beloved Fallout: New Vegas, The Outer Worlds is often cited as a spiritual successor to the Fallout series. Its satirical tone, quirky characters, and branching narratives evoke the same sense of player agency and dark humor found in Fallout. While more linear than Starfield, The Outer Worlds offers a tightly crafted RPG experience with a distinct Fallout flavor.

• No Man’s Sky: Although initially criticized for its lack of depth, No Man’s Sky has undergone a significant transformation since its launch. With its procedurally generated universe, endless exploration possibilities, and base-building mechanics, No Man’s Sky captures the sense of discovery and survival that are central to the Fallout experience. While lacking the narrative complexity of Fallout, No Man’s Sky offers a vast and ever-evolving sandbox for players to explore.

• Mass Effect Series: While primarily a story-driven space opera, the Mass Effect trilogy shares certain thematic similarities with Fallout. Its focus on player choice, moral dilemmas, and diverse characters resonates with the Fallout ethos. Moreover, the exploration of alien worlds and the combat mechanics provide a compelling RPG experience.

Finding What Resonates: More Than Just a Reskin

Ultimately, the “Fallout in space” experience is subjective. What one player seeks might be the sprawling exploration of a vast galaxy, while another might prioritize a gripping narrative with meaningful choices. Starfield, with its Bethesda pedigree and clear Fallout influences, provides a solid starting point. However, exploring other spacefaring RPGs can offer unique perspectives and gameplay mechanics that cater to individual preferences.

Studying games, how they are made, and how they are used for learning is important in understanding the effect that they have on users. Explore these topics and more through the Games Learning Society at GamesLearningSociety.org.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Is Starfield really just Fallout in space?

It’s an oversimplification, but not entirely inaccurate. Starfield takes many core mechanics from Fallout (and Skyrim), such as open-world exploration, character customization, base building, and combat, and transplants them into a space setting. However, Starfield also introduces new features like ship customization and interstellar travel, differentiating it from its post-apocalyptic predecessors.

Is there character creation in Starfield?

Yes, Starfield features a robust character creation system. You can customize your character’s appearance, choose a background that provides starting skills, and select traits that offer both advantages and disadvantages.

Can you build bases in Starfield?

Yes, outpost building is a key feature in Starfield. You can establish bases on various planets, mine resources, craft items, and even hire crew members to manage your outposts.

Is the combat in Starfield like Fallout 4?

Starfield’s combat shares similarities with Fallout 4, featuring first-person shooting, customizable weapons, and a VATS-like system for targeting enemies. However, Starfield’s gunplay is generally considered to be smoother and more refined.

Are there factions in Starfield?

Yes, Starfield features multiple factions that you can join, each with its own quests, storylines, and ideologies. Your choices will have consequences and affect your relationships with these factions.

How big is Starfield compared to Fallout 4?

Starfield is significantly larger than Fallout 4 in terms of download size (125GB vs. 28-39GB). While the actual game world is difficult to directly compare, Starfield boasts 1000 planets to explore, though the size and content of each planet varies.

Can you travel to Earth in Starfield?

Yes, you can visit Earth in Starfield, but it’s not what you might expect. Humanity has largely abandoned Earth due to environmental issues.

Is The Outer Worlds a Fallout clone?

The Outer Worlds is heavily inspired by Fallout, particularly Fallout: New Vegas, but it’s not a clone. It features a similar gameplay loop of open-world exploration, character customization, and branching narratives, but it also introduces its own unique mechanics and a distinct satirical tone.

Is No Man’s Sky like Fallout?

While very different in many ways, No Man’s Sky shares some similarities with Fallout in its emphasis on exploration, survival, and base building. No Man’s Sky offers a vast, procedurally generated universe to explore, while Fallout focuses on handcrafted environments and narrative experiences.

Are there aliens in Starfield?

Yes, aliens exist in Starfield, but their role is different from their role in Fallout. In Fallout, some aliens are present and often hostile. In Starfield, aliens are more of a mystery, and their interactions with humans are often less direct.

Does Starfield have multiple endings?

Yes, Starfield has multiple endings depending on the choices you make throughout the game and the factions you align with.

Can you play Starfield on PlayStation?

No, Starfield is currently exclusive to Xbox Series X/S and PC.

What makes Starfield different from other space RPGs?

Starfield distinguishes itself with its Bethesda pedigree, its emphasis on player agency, and its vast open-world (or open galaxy) design. The ability to explore 1000 planets, customize your ship, and build outposts sets it apart from more linear space RPGs.

Is Starfield a good game?

Whether Starfield is “good” is subjective and depends on individual preferences. It has received generally positive reviews, with many praising its scope, exploration, and character customization. However, some have criticized its pacing, repetitive gameplay loops, and technical issues.

Will there be more Fallout games?

Yes, Bethesda has confirmed that they are working on future Fallout games. However, their priority is currently on Starfield and The Elder Scrolls VI, so a new Fallout title is likely several years away.