One element of theFalloutfranchise’s identity that was removed inFallout 4is the karma system.It’s a pretty simple way of conveying a character’s morality on a sliding scale, perfect for games that give players a ton of choices. It’s been around in some form or another since the first game in the series, and appears in similar forms in other franchises likeRed Dead RedemptionandMass Effect.
When the feature was revealed to be absent fromFallout 4, fans had mixed reactions. Some claimed that removing the karma system took away fromFallout’s identity, while others saw it asa step away from binary choicestowards something that provided more nuance. Now, withFallout 5on the horizon, audiences are left wondering if the new game will return to its roots or follow inFallout 4’s footsteps. The question becomes whether the karma system, with all its faults and perks, still belongs in the game.
Pros Of The Karma System Returning In Fallout 5
Making A Character’s Actions More Impactful
One major complaint players had aboutFallout 4was the lack of roleplaying elements in comparison to previous games. While manyFalloutprotagonists start out as blank slates,Fallout 4’s Sole Survivorhas an established backstory and motivation. That, coupled with the removal of other features,made players feel like they had less of a say in who their character was.The removal of the karma system no doubt contributed to this issue, taking away one way for players to see how their actions change the game.
Fallout 3’s Karma Explained
Karma plays a role in how the player is viewed in the world of Fallout 3 But what exactly is this mechanic and how does the system work in the game?
Put simply, character choices should matter, both in changing the world of the game and in establishing the player character. Karma in previous games worked mainly as a way to track internal changes for the player,depicting their current status as a hero or villain based on the sum total of their actions. Depending on the game, it also affected how NPCs react to the player, and whether certainFalloutcompanionswould even be willing to join them.
While karma was mainly a role-playing mechanic, it did have some slight effects on stats and combat effectiveness, through unlocking certain perks. It affected things like action points, fire rate, and crit damage.
Some games in the series, likeFallout: New Vegas, went even further than this, essentially having different reputation trackers with different factions. This led to a more nuanced karmic system, one that was more external in how other characters viewed the Courier. While actions inFallout 4did have consequences, they didn’t tend to affect much beyond the characters and settings immediately related to them. Character development in the game felt like less of a priority,buta karma system could fix that.
Cons Of Fallout 5 Having Karma
Flattening Out Complex Conflicts
The main issue with a karma system is how simple it is. If every action is weighted as being either good or bad,where do morally gray choices land?Is it evil to steal from a group that intends on inflicting violence, or to save a raider that might kill someone later on? This issue is a big reason why so many games today are moving away from karma systems.Mass Effect Andromedanotably got rid of theparagon/renegade scale, and thoughRDR2does have honor, it works better with a character like Arthur that is not supposed to be a blank slate or completely under the player’s control.
TheFalloutfranchise often tackles super complex moral conflicts.Fallout 4created four main factions to support or oppose in the central story, and whilesome are certainly more brutal than others, it’s really debatable which will lead the Commonwealth down the best path. With that in mind, it’s easy to see why the devs removed the karma system for this game.Fallout 3’s factions were certainly a little more cut and dry in their morality.
Why Fallout 5 Should Have A Modified Form Of The Karma System
A Return To Roots That Reflects Greater Nuance
By far,Fallout: New Vegas’s system of combining karma and reputation got the best receptionfrom fans. It feels the best to actually play, since it reflects long-term internal and external character development. And audiences have seen a similar system work recently inThe Outer Worlds, another game made by Obsidian Entertainment that mirrors its work inNew Vegas.
The Outer Worlds Review: It’s Just What You Hoped For
The Outer Worlds is exactly what players expected from Fallout: New Vegas developer Obsidian Entertainment, and that’s not a bad thing.
As theFalloutfranchise continues, it’s likely that the writers will attempt to include more morally gray choices, characters, and factions, and the new system will have to reflect this. “Karma” may no longer be the right word to describe this scale, andit may not even make sense for it to be a two-dimensional scaleanymore. Something on two separate scales, with one representing pragmatic justice and another representing empathy, would be very neat to see in a franchise like this.
Fallout
Fallout is a post-apocalyptic RPG franchise set in an alternate future where a nuclear war devastates the world. Players explore vast, open worlds filled with mutants, raiders, and advanced technology. The series emphasizes player choice, allowing various approaches to combat, dialogue, and decision-making. Each game follows different protagonists navigating the wasteland to uncover secrets, form alliances, and rebuild civilization amidst the ruins of the old world. The franchise is known for its rich lore, dark humor, and retro-futuristic aesthetic, which has transferred over into its new series on Amazon Prime.
