Fallout 4: An Epic Post-Apocalyptic Conquest

“Fallout 4” begins on Oct. 23, 2077, the fateful day World War 3 began between the U.S and China. The player, a veteran of the U.S army, begins in his/her home on a calm morning with their family when a representative of Vaultec, a government contracted, complex bomb-shelter designing company knocks on their door and explains that he needs more information about the families admission into nearby vault 111 in case of nuclear war. Seemingly on cue, shortly after he leaves the nuclear holocaust begins and the player and their family are rushed to the shelter just in time before being decimated by the nuclear shock. The player is then settled down into the shelter where they are discreetly cryogenically frozen without their knowledge. The player suddenly awakes shortly inside the chamber only to see their significant other being murdered for their newborn child and then darkness ensues. The player then awakes and struggles to grasp the reality of the situation until finally finding a way out of the now vacant shelter. Once out of the shelter, the player is revealed an uninhabited wasteland that was once their hometown. The year is 2277. They’ve been frozen for 200 years. The fight to survive and find their child begins.

After the intro, “Fallout 4” becomes an extremely complex open playing field with endless customization options as well as a sandbox environment with a new settlement building feature. Several improvements have been made to the all around playability making “Fallout 4” more accessible to a newer generation of FPS (first-person shooter) gamers. Combat development has allowed the VATS system of slow-motion targeting combat to become less relied on during game play. Bethesda has also chosen a more classic callback with multiple armor pieces. “Fallout 4’s” dialogue is now understandably streamlined due to its newly voiced protagonist but it lacks skill related dialogue that was previously featured in “Fallout 3” and “Fallout: New Vegas.” The new settlement feature is also a refreshing addition to the series but feels under-developed when being used.

“Fallout 4’s” story becomes increasingly intriguing, steamrolling into a Petri-dish of explorative possibilities after the first couple of missions when your given faction loyalty options. Although, there is a lack of density and depth with many of the side missions available. Overall, “Fallout 4’s”story has general solidity but seems to lack purpose at times with too many fetch quests or a simple go kill something’s. Each of the three possible endings also have a copy and pasted feeling, all of which don’t completely wrap-up the apologue. Regardless of its light debacles, “Fallout 4” still delivers an entertaining story that will keep the player busy for hours on end.

Besides several minor bugs on Bethesda’s outdated engine and the occasional story blemish, “Fallout 4” is a visually stunning, mechanically sound game that valiantly displays the seven difficult years it took to develop. “Fallout 4” is worth the hype. 8.5/10.

*Photos are Xbox One Screenshots taken during live Fallout 4 game play.