So, it’s been a while since I’ve written anything on here, or anywhere (damn life making me do things), but I have been playing a few games. One of those games is the now over 5 year old Fallout 76, and guess what? It’s officially playable now… kind of.
Better than before?
I say kind of as the game launched in a shocking, content-bare state that has become all too normal in this age of “modern gaming” and still has a ways to go, but with a flock of newcomers (myself included) to the Appalachian wasteland, thanks in part to the brilliant TV series, it seems that years later Bethesda are turning it around (see similar stories from Cyberpunk 2077 & No Man’s Sky). The studio has actually done a good job at not abandoning the live service game, so long time players may finally feel like they have got their money’s worth and new players might actually have a positive experience. Luckily I managed to snag the game as part of PlayStation’s free monthly games and sat on it until I fancied some Fallout, after obviously becoming hooked on the very faithful and surprisingly well done first season of the show. Don’t get me wrong Fallout 76, which is fast approaching it’s 17th season, is still extremely buggy (it is a Bethesda title after all), with quests regularly glitching out, as well as straight up crashing and soft-locking on occasion, but it’s… fun?
Well yes and no depending on what you like, and if you can live with some glaring issues. It’s still the worst Fallout experience I’ve had to date, and yet I’d still recommend picking it up and playing, especially if you can get a good deal on it and have friends to tag along. The latter actually being a big deal as even if you’re a solitary gamer, having friends to explore Appalachia with just adds to the vibes I think the game was originally going for in 2018. It’s a weird one because on one hand it can be a glitchy nightmare, and take a while to get going, and not be very strong on the main narrative front, AND be riddled with microtransactions (though you don’t need these to enjoy playing), but if you do decide to stick with it as the devs did, and have an interest in the Fallout universe, then I think it can be quite a rewarding RPG-FPS-MMO with something really for everyone.
Like RPGs? Well you can play anyway you want as anything you want, with multiple factions and SPECIAL serving as the way you tailor your builds. Run around with a bow or a fatman nuke launcher, be a smooth-talking, irradiated mutant, do whatever you want, it’s great. Like first-person shooters? Take a few perk cards that compliment your play style and have at it (like the previous 3 games in the series you can switch between perspectives), the VATS targeting system isn’t as useful however, due to to the game being online and in real time. Like MMOs? Well this is one of the easiest to get into (unlike say Destiny 2), and has one of the nicest communities I’ve ever seen, combined with open-world exploration and chaotic daily events.
The best part of Fallout 76 for me is the way you gradually perfect your build to the way you like to play. It all starts to come together around level 50 – messing around and fine-tuning my perk cards is just something I could sit and do all day. But hey, some people like (and are insanely good at) base building using CAMPS, to each their own. Having to balance damaging dealing perks with quality of life cards such as carry weight boosters and swapping them out to try new ones is just fun to me. For some helpful tips to get you started check this out.
Get to the point
Should you download this game? Sure, go for it, it’s the perfect distraction to fill in those hours as we all wait patiently for that sweet sweet Elden Ring Shadow of the Erdtree DLC. It’s made even better if you have some mates to come along for the ride as you reclaim the wasteland. I’m currently, as of writing, level 70 and have been playing casually for around 120 hours and have had a good old time, despite the game’s flaws. It’s also a surprisingly relaxing game to play as you kick back and tinker with your base, do some missions and events, or if you’re me, look what perk cards you can level up next.
What Fallout 76 lacks in any kind of real depth, it makes up for in dumb fun and with it’s additional content and NPCs & fun base building and player community which compliment the games’ signature blend of wacky humour, and the horrifically harsh nature of a post-apocalyptic world. Just excuse the usual jank because Bethesda, Bethesda never changes.