Bethesda certainly has a good track record when it comes to open world role playing games. Oblivion, Skyrim and of course Fallout 3 are all games highly acclaimed by fans and critics alike. When Fallout 4 was announced at last year’s E3 it unleashed a maelstrom of hype which continually built up until its release. However while Fallout 4 is a great game, it fails to do anything to shake up the series’ stagnant formula.
The main quest in Fallout 4 sees your character venturing into the post-apocalyptic wasteland of Boston in an effort to find your kidnapped son. It’s a somewhat simple premise but one that works well enough. There are a number of interesting characters you meet along the way and the story unravels at a steady pace all the while keeping things satisfyingly mysterious. At a certain point however, the story shifts focus to the three major factions, all of which are rather one dimensional and lack the depth and intrigue of the big factions from Fallout: New Vegas. The ending ends up being somewhat anticlimactic, meaning the journey of Fallout 4 is ultimately more gratifying than its simplistic conclusion. Of course there are plenty of optional side quests to pursue, most of which are more interesting and engaging than the main quest. One such mission has you role playing as an old comic book hero, another helping out the captain of an old nuclear capable submarine.
As far as gameplay is concerned Fallout 4 is to Fallout 3 what Skyrim was to Oblivion. The mechanics are essentially very similar, but more refined and updated. Combat is fundamentally the same, but the controls are smoother, more responsive and defined. Artistically the game looks great. Many environments really brim with personality and colour, as do character models, which makes exploring and looting the world one of the most enjoyable parts of the game. The original score for the game is entirely forgettable, but the use of licensed music makes for a really immersive experience as the game uses timely tunes to bring its alternate 1950s inspired atomic age to life.
In general, one of the game’s greatest triumphs is immersing the player in the world of Fallout. Everything from the clothing to items, weapons and locations have received great levels of detail that make the world come to life in a glorious and quirky fashion.
Really not much can be said to criticise the game. The engine it uses certainly shows its age and the game is riddled with bugs, sometimes minor sometimes game breaking, but the amount of content and customisation and the fact that the game is so absorbing overshadow most of its weaker aspects. What stops it from greatness is its lacklustre main quest, an overwhelming feeling of familiarity with previous Fallout titles and the fact that it feels like no risks have been taken. The game doesn’t really add anything new you haven’t seen or done before. Fallout 4 is everything you could ever want from a sequel, but also not much more than that. (Reviewed on PS4)
