E3 2018: Fallout 76 -- What We Want And Know

After nearly 24 hours of teasing on its official livestream, Bethesda revealed the next installment in its post-apocalyptic series with Fallout 76. Set for release on PC, PS4, and Xbox One, the next game looks to focus a lot more on life within the insular inner-worlds of Vaults, and what comes after. Though the trailer was a satisfying teaser for what's the come, there's still a lot we want to know--so here's a more detailed breakdown of what Fallout 76 is all about, and we want to see at E3 2018.

What We Know So Far

In Fallout 76, players will take on the role of a Vault Dweller in the underground bunker known as Vault 76. Set before even the original Fallout--as shown from a clock and calendar in the trailer--Fallout 76 will focus on the efforts of the citizens as they try to survive in an increasingly hostile world 20 years after the nuclear-apocalypse. Focusing on a retro-futuristic style--the aesthetic and tone of a far-future from the perspective of the past--Fallout 76 shows off a more cheerful approach to it, which will likely shatter once the Vault Dweller opens the door to the outside world.

According to Fallout lore, Vault 76--referenced in Fallout 3 and 4--was one of Vault-Tech's few control vaults. While all Vaults functioned as advertised for all its inhabitants, the control vaults were designed to open its doors for the purpose of repopulation after a set period of time. By and large, the Vaults were poorly designed or were set up to fail, and the few control vaults in existence were successful in their mission--bringing humanity back out into the irradiated landscape. While we're not quite sure what sort of game 76 will be, it is fair to say that it will focus on the efforts of the Vault Dwellers as they try to survive in an unfamiliar and hostile world.

What's Confirmed For E3

Though all we got from the reveal was the quick trailer, Bethesda was quick to state that we'll see much more of the game at its E3 2018 Showcase on June 10th--which looks to be the publisher's longest show. In recent years, the publisher has revealed a great number of titles, which includes Fallout 4, Prey, and Wolfenstein II--and they plan to keep that up for this year's show. With Rage 2, Fallout 76, and the long-teased Prey DLC, this year's show will likely give us a very substantial look at what's to come with the next Fallout game.

What We Want To See

"When the fighting has stopped, and the fallout has settled, you must rebuild."

While Fallout 76 looks similar to Fallout 4 graphically, the trailer seems to indicate that this will not be a traditional single-player experience. With rumors of the game having an online element to it, Bethesda looks to be trying a different approach with this one. Because of this, we'd want to see Bethesda devote as much time as possible revealing what's to come with Fallout 76. During the E3 2015 showing for Fallout 4, Todd Howard spent over half an hour explaining the ins and outs of the game, while showcasing the highlights of what set Fallout 4 apart from the others.

A similar approach to this for Fallout 76 would not only set expectations, but also show that this game will standout from the other titles. To put it simply, we want to see exactly the type of game Fallout 76 will be. While it's fair to say that some familiar Fallout moments of action and interactions will be present, it's important for us to see footage of the game in-action, along with showcasing just how different this game will be. But above all, a release date for Fallout 76 is also a must. And given Bethesda's track record, there's a strong chance that we'll be playing this game much sooner than we think.

Further Reading

• Fallout 76 Is Bethesda's New Game Featuring Vault 76; Watch First Trailer Before E3
• Bethesda Teases Fallout News With A Livestream, And Tons Of People Are Watching
• Fallout 76 Pre-Order Guide For The US
• Fallout 76: What Is Vault 76, And Everything Else We Know About Bethesda's New Game