Fallout 4

🎮 Steam ⏳ 80 hours ⭐⭐⭐⭐ (4/5)

Wasteland and Systems #

The 4th Fallout entry is a sprawling open-world RPG that drops players into a post-apocalyptic Boston, offering a vast wasteland to explore filled with factions, mutants, and secrets. The game shines with its deep crafting and settlement-building mechanics, giving players a tangible way to shape their world, alongside a solid shooting system that improves over previous entries. Though particularly speaking, I was not quite a fan of the settlement mechanics, so I tried very hard to skip them as much as possible.

Exploration Over Story #

While the main story is serviceable, it often feels overshadowed by side quests and exploration, which are where the game truly excels, so no big news here, this is also the case for most of the previous Fallout entries. Graphically, it’s a mixed bag, some areas are impressively detailed, while others feel dated or buggy. Mods on PC greatly enhance both visuals and gameplay, extending replayability, and the modding community is still strong up to this day. Overall, Fallout 4 is a rewarding experience for those who enjoy exploration, player-driven storytelling, and creative freedom.

Companions and Character #

This game also places a stronger emphasis on companions, each with their own personalities, moral alignments, and personal quests. Traveling with characters like Nick Valentine or Piper adds emotional weight to the journey, as their commentary and reactions help bring the Commonwealth to life. These companions aren’t just combat support, they often reflect the game’s broader themes and provide some of its most engaging narrative moments, especially when their individual stories unfold over time. Though they for sure don’t have the same level of depth when compared to previous entries in the series.

Factions and Choices #

The faction system further expands player choice, presenting multiple groups with conflicting ideologies and goals. None of them will win you over though, the world building is not as rich as something like New Vegas. Aligning with factions such as the Brotherhood of Steel, the Railroad, or the Institute shapes not only the outcome of the main story but also how the world responds to your actions. While these choices don’t always feel as nuanced or reactive as in earlier Fallout titles, they still offer meaningful role-playing opportunities and encourage multiple playthroughs to see different perspectives.

Atmosphere and Longevity #

Meanwhile, the returning retro-futuristic radio soundtrack perfectly complements the setting, balancing bleak themes with moments of dark humor and nostalgia that the series is known for. Despite its reliance on familiar Bethesda design conventions, this Fallout entry succeeds in creating a world that feels alive and worth getting lost in. Whether scavenging for scrap, uncovering hidden locations, or stumbling into unexpected encounters, the game consistently rewards curiosity. Even years after its release, the Commonwealth remains an engaging playground for both newcomers and long-time fans of the series.