Once again, players venture forth into the wasteland with Bethesda Softworks' newest installation of the Fallout video game series - a post-apocalyptic, open-world, role-playing game with first person (or third person) shooter elements.
One of the most noteworthy aspects of Fallout 4 is the introduction. Unlike the other two modern reincarnations of the Fallout universe, the game begins pre-war in Boston suburbia. As with other Fallout games, the player can chose to play a male or female character from the vastly updated character creator. Once the character has been created, the gameplay begins with the player and their spouse living a quiet life with their son and robot, Codsworth. The story really begins after news hits that nuclear warfare has broken out, and bombs have been sighted heading toward Boston. The player rushes to their Vault-Tec bunker with their family seconds before missiles rain from the skies.
Two hundred and ten years later, through a series of unfortunate events, the player finds themselves wandering the settled aftermath of The Great War of 2077 in search of answers. The Boston Commons are a vast wasteland with areas of towering buildings and radioactive desserts. The central location and largest settlement, Diamond City, is colourful and impressive with even more colourful characters. While the main storyline offers some mindboggling twists and turns, Bethesda really shines through in their environmental storytelling with mini-stories and side quests that range from inspiring to disturbing. Companions feel more alive than ever. There are thirteen permanent companions to choose from including a sassy reporter from Diamond City; a roguish, cosplaying ghoul named Hancock; and that old pal, Codsworth.
Fallout 4 also introduced some new components - most notably, power armour and workshop stations. Scattered throughout The Boston Commons, the player can find their own sets of power armour and power armour components which are customizable and make venturing the wastelands all the more fun. The workshop stations allow players to customize all of their settlements with lights, new buildings, decorations, and more. For players who are new to the Fallout universe, fear not. The series is not linear and there is no need to play the other two games before jumping into Fallout 4. With over one hundred hours of gameplay and the promise of DLC for the next year, Fallout 4 is sure to offer endless amounts of entertainment.
Fallout 4 is available in the library's video game collection.
- Heidi Veldman is the visual marketing assistant at the Prince George Public Library.
