Fallout 4

The continuation of the cult role-playing game series set in a post-apocalyptic world. The game features a completely redesigned leveling system and gameplay, changes to its RPG elements, and, for the first time in the series, a system for upgrading weapons and crafting items. The game is set in Boston, Massachusetts, where for the first time we see a few moments of peaceful life before the start of the nuclear bombardment.

Fallout 4 is a single-player shooter with RPG elements, released on November 10, 2015, for PC, Xbox One, and PS4. The game takes place in the future, in a world that has survived a nuclear war, with elements of 1960s retrofuturism. The developers focused on creating a large, detailed game world, a combat system, and character progression. The story and quests receive little attention, and the game suffers from an underdeveloped dialogue system.

The new version of the Creation Engine made it possible to create high-quality graphics with high-resolution textures and very good lighting, including realistic light and shadow effects. The animation is decent, but Fallout 4’s main feature is its realistic physics model, which makes weapons feel better than ever.

Fallout 4 takes place in Boston and the surrounding area, known as the Commonwealth—a large, seamless world with no restrictions on movement. The developers brought many Massachusetts landmarks into the game, including the State House, Bunker Hill, the Boston Public Library, the USS Constitution, the rivers that cross the city, Fenway Park baseball stadium, and more.

Although the Commonwealth was hit by two nuclear strikes that left almost no part of it untouched, central Boston survived, though many skyscrapers have begun to crumble, and some can be explored. Outside the city, players can explore satellite towns, industrial areas, and distant suburbs—hilly terrain, farming villages, fields and forests—as well as the Glowing Sea, a large radioactive wasteland.

The world of Fallout 4 is inhabited by 9 factions. 3 are hostile from the start, while 2 may become hostile as you progress. As for creatures, there are plenty in the Commonwealth, mostly dangerous mutants—Deathclaws, Yao guai, and Behemoths. Early in the game, however, players will mostly be bothered by smaller mutants and ghouls.

Much of the content is hidden from view—a nondescript building might be the entrance to a sprawling secret laboratory, a Vault, or a military outpost filled with rare weapons, ammunition, and armor. The subway is there, but badly damaged, and only a few stations can be explored.

For the first time in the series, the combat system is built around shooter mechanics. Players have a huge arsenal at their disposal, suited to different playstyles: you can be a ninja or a daredevil with a hammer, a sniper, an assault trooper, a machine gunner, or a mix of all of these. There’s also a workshop where you can build a cozy settlement. There, you can manage its residents and create and upgrade your weapons, gear, regular armor, and power armor.

Fallout 4’s RPG system is based on S.P.E.C.I.A.L.: seven core character attributes, such as Strength and Intelligence, rated from 1 to 10, plus ten perks, each with 2–5 ranks. The perks vary widely—they can improve your speech skills, increase weapon damage, or let you carry more items.

As you explore the game world, complete quests, kill enemies, upgrade your gear, and perform other actions, you earn experience points that add up to levels. Each level gives you points to spend on S.P.E.C.I.A.L. As you level up, you can find higher-level gear and armor and encounter increasingly dangerous enemies.

Fallout 4’s curse is its dialogue system, which offers 3–4 similar response options: yes, no, ask a question, or be sarcastic.

Fallout 4 takes place in 2287. The protagonist wakes from cryogenic sleep and must find their family. After reaching the surface, they learn that the Commonwealth is slowly dying under the assault of super mutants, raiders, and the sinister Institute. The Minutemen, the defenders of the region, have been completely defeated.

The search for your family goes hand in hand with helping the ordinary people of the Commonwealth, exploring the world, rebuilding the Minutemen, and strengthening their position. The story is linear, with no unexpected twists or replay value. If you don’t get sidetracked by everything else, you can finish it in 10–12 hours. Charging straight in isn’t always the best approach—sometimes it’s better to negotiate or buy the information you need.

Before long, the player encounters synths—powerful, hostile android robots created by the Institute. As the story progresses, the Railroad, an organization that aims to help synths escape the Institute’s control, and the Brotherhood of Steel, which wants to bring order to the Commonwealth and add it to the Capital Wasteland, also come into play.

The player can join these organizations or reject them, but will inevitably face the Institute in the finale. Each faction offers its own set of quests, useful bonuses for joining, and a different ending. There will also be plenty of interactions with independent settlements.

Fallout 4 features all kinds of companions, from synths to super mutants. Each has a unique personal backstory with plenty of detail, a set of personal quests, and goals that may not always match the player’s playstyle—but you’ll have to find a way to get along with each of them.