Summary
One of the best traits of Bethesda’s franchise RPGs likeFallout 4is that every protagonist has a highly distinct backstory and mission. This makes each game feel unique, despite being set in the same world. Avid followers of the mainline titles have played all kinds of archetypes, from the chosen one to a desperate parent. Another great character type to explore inFallout 5and other future sequels would be a person who had inside information about how the nuclear apocalypse came to be. There’s oneFallout 4character that could stand as a great inspiration to model this kind of protagonist after.
AllFalloutprotagonists have one event linking all their lives: The Great War. This broke out on May 21, 2025, with the United States of America and China being the major players. The Great War ended the decades-long conflict between the two countries in moments:
Why Fallout 4’s Zao is the Perfect Template for Fallout 5’s Protagonist
There are only a handful of characters that one can meet in theFalloutuniverse who lived through the Great War. This is because the Great War happened over two centuries before the events of the games. This is why Zao, a Ghoul who was once a Chinese Navy officer, is such an interesting character. He lived through the Great War and was even responsible for the nuclear launches that targeted Boston. It’s implied that the nukes launched from his submarine, the Yangtze-31, were responsible for the most irradiated area in the city:The Glowing Sea. This submarine hit a sea mine, which damaged its nuclear reactor, causing the crew inside to turn into Ghouls.
Zao spent over 200 years of his life as a Ghoul trying to get back to his home country. He wants to help rebuild what’s left of it and eventually die there. Despite his steadfast loyalty, Zao has developed intense regret and guilt over the loss of life that his crew caused. The effects of their actions resonate 200 years later, with radiation causing widespread disease and death inFallout 4’s Boston. It would be interesting to see a similar perspective in aFallout 5protagonist.
How Fallout 5’s Protagonist Could Be a Great War Veteran
There are a couple of ways that theFallout 5protagonist could be a Great War vet and still be around 200 years later. Bethesda could go the Ghoul route as it did with Zao. Seeing the world through a Ghoul’s perspective would be a bit refreshing, as all theFalloutprotagonists have been regular humans. It could also take a page fromFallout 4’s book and put the hero in cryosleep for two centuries.
The protagonist could be a soldier, nuclear scientist, or even a politician who lobbied for the invasions that led to The Great War. It would make sense that the game would haveanOppenheimer-like story, in which the protagonist reckons with the death and destruction they directly caused. The writers could also create a more sympathetic character who lived through the start of the apocalypse without contributing to it, coping with the immense grief of losing and outliving their loved ones to a senseless war.
Fallout 4
WHERE TO PLAY
Bethesda Game Studios, the award-winning creators of Fallout 76 and The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim, invite you to the ambitious open world of Fallout 4. Do whatever you want in a massive Commonwealth with hundreds of locations, characters and quests.As the sole survivor of Vault 111, only you’re able to rebuild and determine the fate of the Wasteland. Join multiple factions vying for power or go it alone - the choices are yours.From a Power Armor-toting soldier to the charismatic smooth-talker, be whoever you want with the S.P.E.C.I.A.L. character system and develop your own playstyle from hundreds of Perks.Experience exciting first- or third-person combat with the dynamic Vault-Tec Assisted Targeting System, or V.A.T.S., targeting enemies for maximum tactical advantage (and cinematic carnage!) Collect, upgrade and build thousands of items with Fallout 4’s crafting system. Weapons, armor, food and with the right materials, even entire settlements are possible. Welcome home.
