Fallout 4 Review: A Nuclear Sandbox of Fun, Frustrations, and Mods
Exploring the vast, radiated expanses of Fallout 4's Boston, where the adventure is as buggy as it is boundless.
last updated Apr 25, 2024
Fallout 4 shines as a testament to what ambitious game development—and dedicated fans—can achieve.
Wandering the Wastes
In the grand tradition of Bethesda, Fallout 4 invites players to immerse themselves in a post-apocalyptic world where every decision shapes the wasteland. From crafting your own settlement to doling out justice (or chaos) across the Commonwealth, the game offers a staggering amount of freedom. However, the dated graphics and the occasional clunky gameplay mechanics—like the dialogue system that sometimes feels as though it's limiting rather than enhancing player choice—can detract from the immersive experience. The settlement system, a new addition praised for its ambition, is criticized for feeling 'half-baked,' suggesting a missed opportunity to deepen the gameplay. Nevertheless, the ability to lose oneself for hours in this vast open world is undisputed, demonstrating Bethesda's knack for crafting compelling, expansive universes.
Orchestral Wasteland
Fallout 4's audio landscape is a mixed bag of hauntingly atmospheric tracks and retro-futuristic tunes that perfectly encapsulate the series' thematic essence. The sounds of gunfire, the soft hum of the Wasteland's wind, and the eclectic mix of music from the game's radio stations create a rich, immersive soundscape that can easily draw players in for hours on end. It's not just the sound effects and music that shine; the voice acting is also top-notch, breathing life into the Commonwealth's various denizens. However, it's hard to ignore the occasional repetition in NPC dialogue, which, while occasionally humorous in its redundancy, can break the spell of Fallout 4's otherwise captivating world.
Visually Dated, Yet Immersive
Graphically, Fallout 4 is something of a paradox. On one hand, its vast landscapes and dilapidated cityscapes can still stir a sense of awe, providing players with a visually compelling backdrop to their adventures. Lighting effects and weather changes add to the game's atmosphere, reinforcing the sense of a lived-in world. On the other hand, the game's presentation is undeniably dated by today's standards—a fact made more apparent by the long load times and performance issues (notably on PC) that have accompanied recent updates. These technical drawbacks can occasionally hamper the gameplay experience, especially when mods are added into the mix, which leads us gracefully to the subject of modding.
The Modding Salvation (and Curse)
Mods have become synonymous with the PC gaming experience of Fallout 4, offering everything from graphical overhauls to entirely new quests and characters. While Bethesda has shown a willingness to support the modding community—an aspect of the game often hailed as its saving grace—the recent update has rendered many mods unusable, leading to widespread frustration. The modding scene is a double-edged sword; it represents one of Fallout 4's most dynamic aspects, continually breathing new life into the game, yet it also highlights the lack of polish and attention to persistent technical issues from Bethesda. When mods are functioning, they elevate the game to new heights, making it 'awesome with mods, not awesome without.'
STEAM RATING
Developer
Bethesda Game Studios
Publisher
Bethesda Softworks
Release Date
November 09, 2015
The Verdict
Fallout 4 remains a colossal achievement in the role-playing game genre, offering an expansive, open-world experience that's both deeply engaging and flawed. Its dated graphics and frustration-induced updates can't overshadow the sense of freedom and post-apocalyptic wonder it delivers. With a mod community that tirelessly smooths out its rough edges, Fallout 4 shines as a testament to what ambitious game development—and dedicated fans—can achieve. It's not perfect, but in the vast, radioactive sprawl of the Commonwealth, perfection is as elusive as a peaceful solution to the Wasteland's woes. Fallout 4 is a journey worth taking, bugs, mods, and all.