On September 30, 1997, the original Fallout was released, a date that predates my personal introduction to the series. I discovered the franchise with Fallout 2, released the following year. I thoroughly enjoyed the first two installments, but the series then went dormant until Bethesda acquired the license and developed Fallout 3 a decade later. Fallout 3 diverged from its predecessors by abandoning the isometric perspective in favor of first- or third-person gameplay. The map was expansive, and I invested considerable time exploring a post-apocalyptic Washington. Fallout 4 arrived in 2015, sharing many similarities with Fallout 3. While cooking and settlement building were introduced, the core graphics and game mechanics remained largely unchanged.
The announcement of a new Fallout title, Fallout 76, was somewhat unexpected, given the relatively short time since the previous release. Initially, I speculated that it might resemble Fallout New Vegas, which felt more like an extensive expansion to Fallout 3 rather than a completely new game. However, I was mistaken. Fallout 76 is, in fact, a new game, albeit with caveats.
The game begins with the player character awakening, seemingly hungover, to discover that the other Vault dwellers have already departed. After equipping oneself, the player ventures into the outside world, promptly encountering hostile robots. Before even finding their footing, the player is beset by various threats. Following The Overseer’s instructions leads the player to encounters with others in need of assistance.
When I created the video showcasing my initial impressions, it accurately reflected my early experience. While enthusiastic, I was also left with lingering questions. Namely, “Where is everyone?” “Why am I alone, with only robots for company?”. “How could my character miss the Vault’s opening?” Dismissing these concerns with the expectation that the experience would improve, I emerged from the Vault, only to be immediately attacked by Chinese robots. After dispatching them and embarking on the first mission, I found the world visually appealing, featuring unusually vibrant environments. As the game is set before other titles in the series, the world has not yet become the desolate wasteland familiar to Fallout veterans. Upon reaching the Overseer’s supposed location, I found only her abandoned camp and a new voice message directing me elsewhere, along with a few basic supplies and a tutorial. Observing another player who appeared equally disoriented only amplified the prevailing sense of emptiness. The question remained: Where are all the people?!
Photo mode is a fun addition and it’s fun that the pictures are displayed while it’s loading.
The answer, it turns out, is that there are no people, only robots and corpses. The only living human beings are other online players and a handful of feral ghouls who aggressively pursue the player. This is where the issues begin to accumulate. The game is plagued by bugs, ranging from audio glitches to characters clipping through the environment, instances of playing as a disembodied head, and graphical anomalies. While these issues are irritating, they are potentially resolvable through future patches. However, to quote Ron White, “You can’t fix stupid.”
Glitch upon glitch…
Regrettably, this encapsulates the core problem with Fallout 76: its lack of compelling narrative. Previous Fallout titles, from the original to part four, consistently featured engaging storylines, encompassing both main and side quests. Players became invested in the characters they encountered, motivated to aid some while opposing others. Whether embracing the role of a hero or indulging in villainous acts, such as detonating a nuclear weapon in a settlement outside New Vegas, the games offered a satisfying blend of missions and adventures that incentivized progress, improved equipment, and enhanced abilities. Fallout 76 lacks this depth. Missions are primarily obtained through computers and robots, and those the player assists are invariably deceased. The tasks themselves are reminiscent of generic fetch quests found in World of Warcraft and similar games, consisting of rudimentary objectives with minimal reward. This begs the question: How could a series renowned for its compelling quests devolve into such a monotonous experience? Furthermore, the game incorporates a crafting system that encourages players to collect resources to construct weapons and settlements. However, inventory management is severely limited, with both player carry weight and storage capacity capped at a meager 400 items. Overburdened players are unable to run or fast travel, forcing them to tediously return to their camps. The constant need to consume food and water becomes a chore, further hindering exploration.
Get used to this sight.
However, it’s worth pausing to consider why I am focusing solely on the negative aspects. Why contribute to the chorus of criticism, particularly given the prevalent negativity surrounding the game? The price of Fallout 76 has plummeted rapidly, and online criticism is widespread. Initially, I shared these sentiments. However, I reconsidered my perspective after watching this video. The video’s point is salient: adapting a single-player franchise like Fallout into an online multiplayer experience necessitates compromises. For instance, how does one reconcile a quest-giving NPC being killed by another player? Does the questline become permanently unavailable, or does the NPC exist in separate parallel timelines? And how would this impact future interactions between the player who killed the NPC and other players?
Fun detail to be able to sit down and play the guitar sometimes.
The developers opted for a solution involving robots and terminals, entities invulnerable to player actions. While this approach mitigates potential conflicts, it also sacrifices a significant element of immersion. Like many, I would have preferred that Bethesda had developed an online component for Fallout 4, allowing for cooperative play with a small group of friends. Instead, they embarked on a more ambitious MMORPG-style project, a risk that ultimately failed. Fallout 76 feels like a rushed experiment plagued by numerous flaws. When viewed solely through this lens, it is undeniably a disappointing game. One might envision a Fallout game allowing players to become Raiders or Super Mutants, engaging in territorial warfare. There were many potential avenues for innovation, had the developers allocated more time and resources to refining the core concepts.
Also a common sight when some smartass put “Move the camp” on the hotkey.
The extensive criticism surrounding Fallout 76 raises concerns about whether Bethesda will be hesitant to develop a future mainline installment. Their eagerness to release what many considered to be a buggy and unfinished product may have damaged their reputation. They might have benefited from emulating Rockstar’s approach with Red Dead Redemption 2, delaying the launch to ensure a more polished experience. Ultimately, the specific release date of a game is less important than its overall quality.
Beautiful environments.
Given my evolving perspective on Fallout 76, I constructed a residence, hosted a housewarming event for a friend, and embarked on an adventure. Playing with friends enhances the experience, although the game remains buggy despite a substantial 47GB patch released shortly after launch (following an initial 51GB installation). While there is still considerable room for improvement, as a Fallout fan, I continue to find the game engaging and its world worth exploring. Bethesda has created a richly detailed environment that can be immersive and affecting, provided one invests the time.
Always fun to meet friends and go on adventures with.
In conclusion, and perhaps surprisingly, I would still recommend Fallout 76, although it is not a game for everyone. Like many, I initially experienced frustration with Fallout 76 before shifting my focus to its potential and enjoyable aspects, rather than dwelling on its shortcomings. Those seeking a traditional single-player experience can still enjoy the four previous games.
Fallout 76 might have been better received as an expansion or spin-off title with a lower price point (despite the game’s price dropping to 179 SEK during a Black Friday sale shortly after its release). I plan to continue playing and exploring the world, and if you encounter Henry Speed II in-game, feel free to stop by for a visit.
https://youtu.be/M9FGaan35s0
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