Former designer critiques Fallout 3 remaster, advocating for significant enhancements
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Heads up, Fallout fans! If rumors of a Fallout 3 remaster prove true, one of the game's original designers, Bruce Nesmith, has some ideas on what it should entail.
With The Elder Scrolls 4: Oblivion Remastered hitting the scene, it's no stretch to expect a similar move for Fallout. After all, The Elder Scrolls 6 is still a ways off, and Microsoft could use something to bridge the gap. The same goes for Fallout, thanks to the new surge of fans courtesy of the TV show and the far-off release date of Fallout 5.
So, when VideoGamer sat down with the man who contributed to Fallout 3 and several other Fallout and Elder Scrolls games, including Skyrim as its lead designer, he had some thoughts on what the remaster should focus on.
Nesmith isn't shy about admitting that Fallout 3's gunplay was, well, not great. He attributes this to the team's first attempt at a shooter-style game, stating that the combat "didn't hold up to shooters at the time." But fret not, as Fallout 4 saw significant improvements to shooting mechanics, and Nesmith expects those enhancements to make their way into the remaster, should it follow the same path.
The gunplay in Fallout 4 was better than its predecessor, but it still fell short compared to a standard first-person shooter. It leaned heavily on the V.A.T.S. system, which paused the action to let you target specific body parts.
No telling when a Fallout 3 remaster might drop. Leaked documents from Microsoft first hinted at its existence in 2023, but Microsoft's plans for its release remain a mystery. If it does come out, 2026 could be an ideal time, with the second season of the TV show set to air then.
While a Fallout 3 remaster might seem like the logical move, some fans argue that a remaster of Fallout: New Vegas would make more sense. After all, New Vegas is often credited as the series' best entry, and Obsidian Entertainment, its developer, is owned by Microsoft and has shown interest in updating the game.
Obsidian currently has its plate full with The Outer Worlds 2 and Avowed, but it has proven it can handle multiple projects simultaneously. Here's hoping they can find the time to give New Vegas the remaster treatment it deserves.
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[1] https://www.videogamer.com/news/fallout-3-remaster-should-bring-gunplay-up-to-fallout-4-standards-according-to-former-bethesda-lead-designer.html[2] https://www.gamesradar.com/fallout-4-shooting-is-still-awful-thanks-to-vats/[3] https://www.pcgamer.com/fallout-3-gunplay-is-not-good/[4] https://www.gamespot.com/articles/fallout-3-had-terrible-gunplay-but-microsoft-and-bethesda-should-make-a-remaster/1100-6501833/[5] https://www. pushed.com/2023/01/9-things-to-know-about-fallout-3-remaster-leaks-and-rumors/
- "If Microsoft does plan to release a Fallout 3 remaster in 2023, Bruce Nesmith, the game's original designer, suggests that traditional gunplay should be improved to meet the standards of Fallout 4's gunplay, exactly as it has been enhanced."
- "In a potential Fallout 3 remaster, technology might be employed to upgrade the combat mechanics, much like how it was implemented in Fallout 4, mirroring the advancements seen in charts showcasing the game's development over the years."
- "By 2026, if a Fallout 3 remaster is indeed developed, fans would be anticipating another traditional take on the game, given Bethesda's proven track record with remasters like The Elder Scrolls 4: Oblivion Remastered released exactly a year prior."
