10 RPG Video Game Sequels We Desperately Need (But Won’t Get)
5. Fallout 3 (Van Buren)
Before Bethesda bought the rights to the Fallout name and turned it into the all-conquering monolith of a franchise that it is today, Fallout and Fallout 2 were isometrically-viewed PC exclusive role-playing games, with tactical combat to boot!
What it was: A continuation of the Fallout series on PC that had hardcore, tactical turn-based combat. In this version of Fallout, VATS wasn't just a pretty slow-motion camera angle and the combat was grid-based with action points determining how many things you could do in a particular turn. Movement, administering first aid, combat and even reloading a gun all cost points per turn. You had to plan movement and reloading carefully, anticipating where your enemies might move to. Fallout 3 (or project Van Buren) was to upgrade the look and feel of the game with a 3D game engine whilst retaining all the features of the previous two titles that were so popular amongst players.
Why we need a sequel: Believe it or not, there are actually some out there that dislike the first-person role-playing monster Fallout became. The VATS system was widely praised as being true to form in many reviews upon the release of Fallout 3 in 2008, but PC gamers just knew it wasn't the same series anymore. Additionally, the last game to use an isometric perspective and retain the name Fallout was the dire Fallout Brotherhood of Steel for both PlayStation 2 and Xbox in 2004.
Why we won't get one: Bethesda. Since buying the franchise rights from Interplay in 2004 they have conquered the console RPG scene with the hugely successful Fallout 3 in 2008 and Fallout 4 in 2015. There is some hope, however, as inXile Entertainment, a development studio founded by ex-Interplay founder Brian Fargo, have trademarked the original code name of Fallout 3: Van Buren.