As many of us are currently immersed in revisiting Fallout 4, this presents an ideal opportunity to envision potential urban landscapes for the forthcoming chapter, likely to be titled Fallout 5 or possibly Fallout 77. Exploring these settings allows us to contemplate the ruins of Boston and its surrounding areas in Massachusetts. Just as the Grand Theft Auto series, the setting of each Fallout installment reveals significant details to the fans, such as likely exploration sites, the overall atmosphere of the game, and potential narrative elements like faction dynamics or ethical dilemmas players might encounter.

Todd Howard has confirmed the series will always be set within the United States, and with Bethesda's recent launch of Starfield and the ongoing development of Elder Scrolls VI expected until 2026, speculation about Fallout 5's location is timely, especially as Fallout 4 approaches its decade milestone. Additionally, the excitement surrounding the renewal of the Fallout series for a second TV season further cements the likelihood of Fallout 5's release. As the character Nick Valentine might advise, it’s time to “get this show on the road before more of my face-skin falls off, see?”

San Francisco Starting with San Francisco, not merely because the author resides there but because it tops our list for compelling reasons, there are strong hints that Fallout 5 may be set here, adhering to the adage that there’s usually truth in rumors. This potential setting could stem from either strategic corporate decisions or as a natural progression from hints dropped throughout Fallout 4. Exploring a post-apocalyptic San Francisco offers a thrilling setting due to its iconic steep hills and towering buildings, ideal for vertical combat scenarios such as clearing enemy-infested buildings with innovative weapons. If you want to read more related to Fallout 4, you can check our post-related update issues.

San Francisco's portrayal in Fallout 2 revealed its survival through the Great War, albeit as a devastated hub for trade, shipping, and technology, predominantly governed by the Shi, a group descended from Chinese submarine survivors. Whether Fallout 5 maintains this backstory or expands upon it, the area is rich with famous landmarks to incorporate into the game, from the infamous Alcatraz Island to the vibrant yet eerie Fisherman’s Wharf and the lush, mutant-bison inhabited Golden Gate Park. Angel Island, with its deserted military installations, poses additional possibilities for exploration or as downloadable content.

Furthermore, the region's dramatic history from the Gold Rush to its significant role in the Pacific theater during World War II offers abundant material for unique encounters. Players could interact with diverse, region-specific groups such as hardened prospectors, enigmatic beat poets, and unruly hippie collectives, reminiscent of the colorful factions in Fallout: New Vegas. These elements make San Francisco a top candidate for Fallout 5’s setting, promising a rich blend of historical intrigue and dynamic gameplay.

Exploring Fallout 2’s Post-War San Francisco as a Trading Hub

In Fallout 2, it is revealed that San Francisco weathered the Great War, emerging largely in ruins yet serving as a vital center for trade, shipping, and technology. The city’s involvement in historical events, such as the Japanese internment during World War II, plays a central role in the narrative. Fallout 4 cleverly mirrors this with its own lore, using the smuggling of androids as an analogy to Boston’s historical connection with the Underground Railroad. This theme of internal strife, where a community facing external threats turns against its own, is quintessentially Fallout and lends itself well to sci-fi adaptations. Imagine a scenario where the Shi, descendants of Chinese survivors, might ally with the Brotherhood of Steel, leading to the segregation of the city's ghouls, both feral and non-feral.

Chicago: A Fresh Perspective for the Fallout Series

Moving on from the favorite, let’s consider Chicago, a city yet to be featured in the Fallout universe. Known for its historical figures like Al Capone and John Dillinger, and cultural icons like Roger Ebert, Chicago offers rich storytelling potential. Picture the scene: evading raiders reminiscent of old-school mobsters, discovering relics of the past in an abandoned theater, engaging with the formidable Midwestern Brotherhood of Steel who are rumored to dominate the region. Chicago, as the largest city in the Midwest, offers numerous opportunities for creative post-apocalyptic scenarios, from commandeering the Skydeck at Willis Tower to navigating through Museum Campus—a location ripe for transforming into a fortified settlement.

The city’s history as a vital rail hub and “freight handler to the nation” could be creatively woven into Fallout’s narrative, perhaps envisioning a settlement built within a trainyard, governed by conscripted railway security. Integrating elements like deep dish pizza, endemic political corruption, and a Chinatown-style corruption saga about resource distribution could further enrich the setting, offering a new palette for the series to explore.

New York City: An Inevitable Setting for Fallout’s Expansion

Lastly, the allure of New York City for the Fallout series seems inevitable. Despite frequent portrayals of New York in various forms, from superhero sagas to iconic video games, the city's dense population and towering skyscrapers present a unique backdrop for Fallout’s apocalyptic vision. The idea of a desolated New York, far removed from the typical bustling city simulations, holds immense narrative and visual potential for the series. With time on our side until 2026, the prospect of exploring a ruinous New York offers a fresh canvas for Fallout’s ever-evolving storyline, promising new adventures and a deep dive into what makes the city a pivotal American icon in both history and popular culture.

Manhattan’s Dynamic Boroughs: A Playground for Fallout 5

Overlooking typical scenarios like sniping from the Statue of Liberty’s torch or base-jumping from the Empire State Building for physics experiments, Manhattan's real gaming appeal lies in its distinct boroughs, each brimming with unique character and local flair. Envision a faction of deranged thespians entrenched on Broadway, utilizing thousands of decaying costumes, or a Wall Street syndicate zealously aiming to restore pre-war capitalism. Furthermore, imagine roving bands of cabbies wielding tire irons, subway punks, and Buddhist monks, all adding to the creative richness of the setting.

The extensive subway network beneath Manhattan could introduce an eerie realm of possibilities and provide a network for fast travel. Stretching the map slightly or condensing it could allow exploration of iconic nearby sites like Niagara Falls, the historic Woodstock location, or the vast Adirondack Park—larger than several major national parks combined. The area’s historical significance, having hosted a third of the Revolutionary War battles, aligns perfectly with Fallout’s recurring themes of liberty, survival, and resilience, providing fertile ground for narrative development.

Seattle: A Rainy, Post-Apocalyptic Frontier

Venturing beyond the typical desert landscapes of earlier games, Fallout’s journey through Boston and West Virginia has paved the way for exploring diverse American settings. Seattle offers a fresh, rain-soaked terrain to traverse, a stark contrast to the sun-baked environments of previous installments. Known ironically as "the city of goodwill," imagine the dark humor in splattering the welcome sign with brahmin blood or hanging raiders from it.

Seattle is ripe for ruinous exploration, from Pike Place Market and the iconic Space Needle to a waterfront bustling with attractions like a giant Ferris wheel and an aquarium. The city’s historical connection to Boeing, a builder of airplanes and spacecraft, presents a unique opportunity for the series to delve into advanced flight mechanics and space-themed narratives for the first time, potentially addressing the outer-space elements teased in previous Fallout editions.

New Orleans: Culturally Rich and Ready for Post-Apocalyptic Exploration

In New Orleans, players could navigate the eerie St. Louis Cemetery No. 1 in search of mirelurk eggs, establish a fortified swamp base complete with a fan-boat dock, and stroll through Louis Armstrong Park while tunes from a bygone era play on the Pip-Boy. The Big Easy’s struggle with natural disasters like hurricanes and floods, along with its rich blend of Creole, Cajun, French, and Voodoo cultures, offers a deeply immersive backdrop for post-apocalyptic survival themes.

The city’s role as a major port with connections to Mexico could introduce new narrative possibilities and add-on content, exploring events outside the typical U.S. settings of the franchise. The colorful and potentially macabre transformation of Mardi Gras into a post-apocalyptic festival could provide a vivid setting for the game, blending traditional jazz music with the chaotic new world order.

Your Dream Fallout 5 Setting

Each region depicted in the Fallout series has uniquely contributed to the expansive lore of the game, introducing distinctive enemies, localized plots, and cultural nuances. Whether it’s the desolate landscapes, the compelling soundtrack, or the interwoven plotlines reminiscent of complex television narratives, Fallout 5 is poised to deliver another richly layered experience. The question remains: where would you like Fallout 5 to transport you next?