Bethesda’s open-world RPGs are popular not only because of their large worlds and interesting stories but also because of the amazing modding communities that keep the games alive long after they are released. TheFalloutseries, set in a post-apocalyptic world with a mix of retro-futurism and survival elements, is especially appealing for modders. Mods cover everything from minor updates to major changes, often showing hidden possibilities in the game and what future versions could include.

There are plenty of mods fromFallout, Starfield,andElder Scrollsthat Bethesda could look at for its next release. Glancing at thebest mods forFallout 4or thebest mods forSkyrimshows how much more the community wants from Bethesda’s games. In fact, some mods repeat throughout each series, so there’s definitely room to incorporate these improvements. These mods illustrate what fans want in these wastelands, and the creativity in the modding community offers valuable insights for Bethesda as the company plans forFallout 5.

The fallout vault boy with scenes from Fallout 4.

10Enhanced Movement (Fallout 4)

No More Stiff Running

Bethesda should pay attention to the Enhanced Movement mod, created bybp42son Nexus Mods forFallout 4,when working onFallout 5. This mod fixes the movement problem in many of their games, which tend tofeature awkward, stiff movement that makes it feel like characters aren’t even in the world. It’s too obvious that these animations play out without any regard for the environment.

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With better sprinting, sliding, and smoother animations, the game feels more modern and responsive, similar to today’s shooter games. This is important because, even thoughFalloutis mainly an RPG, combat, and exploration are big parts of it. It makesgetting around the wasteland easierand more fun. It’s time for Bethesda to update its old movement style and adopt a more agile and responsive system for its future games.

Hancock, Nick Valentine and Dogmeat from Fallout 4 with elder scrolls enemies.

9Icicles (Fallout 4)

Winter Time In The Wasteland

DoubleYou’s Icicles mod forFallout 4may initially seem simple, but it provides an important lesson about making the game world more interactive, especially forFallout 5.Thismod makes the wasteland look nicerwith its wintry icicles and adds to the gameplay by letting players break, collect, and use icicles as weapons.

InFallout 5, Bethesda could take this idea further by making environmental objects more dynamic. For example, it could include weather-specific elements like ice-covered puddles that players can shatter to find hidden items or toxic puddles that can be melted away using certain weapons or skills, giving players more tactical options. The Icicles mod is a great example of how a small detail can become a valuable part of gameplay, and it’s somethingBethesda should consider for its next game.

Power armor from Fallout 4.

8Really Useful Dragons (Skyrim)

Choo Choo On Your Opps

Bethesda should pay attention to the popularity of Really Useful Dragons, a Thomas the Tank Engine mod for Skyrim byTrainwiz and friends. The success of this mod comes from its silliness. It’s a happy children’s character in the serious, post-apocalyptic world ofSkyrimand creates a fun experience. Adding Thomas wouldn’t be the right move, but paying homage to him could be.

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InFallout 5, this could mean incorporating more unexpected storytelling. For example, players might find an old amusement park that has fallen apart but still shows signs of its fun past. This is where a destroyed train could be, with some details that point to Thomas. It’s not much, butit would be a nice way for Bethesda to highlight iconic creations from the modding community. Plenty of examples of weird and strange occurrences happen inFallout’sworld; Thomas wouldn’t be the biggest.

Radio from Fallout 4, with musical notes and a haracter ffom Fallout New Vegas

7Alternate Start (Fallout, Starfield, and Elder Scrolls)

Skip The Boring Intros

In almost every Bethesda game, modders have found a way to skip the long and often drawn-out beginnings. These are Bethesda’s weakest points, and there should be an alternative inFallout 5. Bethesda should see a mod like Start Me Up byTinyManticoreandsimply give players a way to skip the beginningand get right to traveling their worlds.

One of the best intros forFalloutwas inNew Vegas, where the player could quickly run through it without having to waste their time, but Obsidian made that game rather than Bethesda. IfFallout 5has another beginning that takes longer than 10 minutes to get through, then there will be another mod adding something that players want. After the first few times going through any intro by Bethesda, it gets old, andgiving players more controland letting them jump right into the action would be the right move.

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6Manufacturing Extended (Fallout 4)

Make A Real Society

Kentington’s Manufacturing Extended mod forFallout 4shows that players want a better and more engaging crafting system, which Bethesda should consider forFallout 5. This mod goes beyond the basic crafting in the game, letting players use scrap materials to createbasic items and complete power armor, gear for different factions, and even drinks like Nuka-Cola. This added complexity makes gathering resources and exploring more meaningful.

Bethesda could take cues from this mod to improve crafting inFallout 5, allowing players to focus less on hoarding junk and more on building systems for producing items. Players could design factories, manage inputs and outputs, and face challenges like raiders or equipment failures. This would give players more control and allow them to create personalized settlements that actuallyhelp them progress in the gamerather than just serving as decoration or simple shops.

5Take Cover (Fallout: New Vegas)

Hide While You Can

Moonspoter’s Take Cover mod forFallout New Vegas, inspired by games likeMax Payne 3andGears of War, highlights an important area Bethesda can improve inFallout 5and other future games in the franchise.InFallout New Vegas, the modlets players use cover, changing how they participate in battles. In the regularFalloutgames, characters often feel clumsy and vulnerable during fights, leading players to rush in without thinking rather than planning their moves.

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Fallout 5could really benefit from a better cover system, where players can peek around corners, shoot from behind cover, and smoothly move between different hiding spots. This would make combat more strategic and let players choose different play styles, whether they want to sneak around or take precise shots. Bethesda couldcreate a combat systemthat feels more in line with a shooter by looking at what the Take Cover mod offers.

4Functional Displays (Fallout 4)

Display Your Items

Bethesda should pay attention to the Functional Displays mod bySecretAgent99forFallout 4when makingFallout 5. This mod lets players show off their weapons and unique items on display racks, turning settlements from just crafting areas into personal museums of their adventures. Thisadds a sense of satisfactionthat isn’t present in the original game. Instead of just storing unique items in a menu, players can proudly display their finds, which gives a visual sense of their journey in the wasteland.

If Bethesda included a similar feature inFallout 5, it could help players feel more connected to their progress and encourage exploration and hunting for loot. Being able to curate a display of items would allow for more immersion, soplayers can see their progressand feel more connected to their game’s history, which a menu from a storage box or drawer can’t do.

3Infinite Settlers (Fallout 4)

More Settlers Means More Fun

The popularity of the Infinite Settlers mod byGrant2600forFallout 4would work onFallout 5. This mod shows that players really want the ability to create lively settlements without any limits. In the base game, the limit on how many settlers you could have often made it feel like your carefully built towns were empty, whichtook away from the idea of building a real community. The Infinite Settlers mod fixes this by letting players fill their settlements with as many settlers as they want.

Fallout 4’s Radio Is Fun, But It Misses What Made Radio New Vegas Great

Fallout 4’s radio isn’t the best in the franchise because it doesn’t hit the spot that New Vegas did so well, but Bethesda should learn from it.

ForFallout 5, it would be great if they created a more flexible and detailed settlement system. This could include less strict limits on the number of settlers and a wider variety of jobs they could do. Also, attracting more settlers based on how big, happy, and resourceful a settlement could make the game feel more immersive. Lettingsettlements become busy and vibrant placeswould make players more invested in each town.

2High Res Local Maps (Fallout: New Vegas)

Maps Should Be More Detailed

Bethesda should take inspiration from the High Res Local Maps mod byUngeziefiforFallout: New Vegaswhen working onFallout 5. This modimproves the in-game maps.Many Bethesda games have frustrating local maps that are difficult to understand, let alone to use for navigation. They normally have low-resolution graphics that make it hard to see important locations.

The mod offers a clear, high-resolution map that helps players navigate and discover new areas more easily, showing that clear visuals and functionality are important to gamers. ForFallout 5, Bethesda should focus oncreating a similar, user-friendly local map right from the start. This could include features like zooming in and out, clearly marked points of interest, and different map options that players can toggle.

1Family & Children Mods (Skyrim)

Have A Loving Family

Bethesda should look at the popular family and children mods,shadowman2777’s Loving Family fromSkyrim,when creatingFallout 5. Thesemods show that players want deeper connections in the game, not just combat and exploring. Features like adopting kids, marrying multiple partners, and having biological children. If players could start a family inFallout 5, there would be much more to making settlements.

There are somegreatSkyrimhousing modsthat match family mods well.

Settlements would become more than just places to gather resources; they could be thriving family communities with real interactions between parents and kids. This approach could turn the wasteland from a grim battle zone into a place where players can develop meaningful emotional connections.Fallout 5could be the game that makes players feel like they’re doing more than just moving around a preset world, instead letting them truly be a part of it.