Fallout 76: Bethesda Games’ post-apocalyptic game you have to play
Bethesda Game Studios' Fallout 76 is quite a departure for a series that has thus far remained single-player only. It throws you headfirst into a shared open world where, for the first time ever, every surviving human is a real player, introducing novel mechanics while equally upping the ante of risk and sacrifice in ways that have yet to pay off.
A post-apocalyptic playground built for sharing
The game world of Appalachia is a visual treat for fans of the series. It holds every bit of appearance of classic Fallout, from the iconic rusty Americana to mutated wildlife roaming the irradiated landscape. But, oh boy, the scale and detail of the environment really are something to behold when shared with others.
Cooperative exploration, base building, and even public events really make a difference, delivering a sense of community and shared purpose which just isn't possible with previous Fallout games. The social aspect is, without a doubt, a big draw for an experience that is interconnected.
Technical Fallouts and design flaws
Unfortunately, Fallout 76 starts off with a lot of technical problems and poor design decisions that just get in the way. Right now, server stability is questionable, and common bugs and glitches get in the way, often derailing the experience entirely. This design choice of not including living human NPCs results in a shallowness of depth and personality that previous games have relied on.
A valiant attempt is, however, made at delivering some semblance of a story through environmental storytelling and audio logs, though this pales in comparison to what the series has offered in the past. Combat is downright awkward and clumsy, but then comes off feeling particularly rough and unpolished, especially in those first few hours where supplies are low and enemies hit hard. The series' staple V.A.T.S. system (Vault-Tec Assisted Targeting System) does worse under real-time multiplayer scrutiny, making more encounters feel more infuriating than not.
The future of Fallout 76
Bethesda has promised that it will keep supporting its game, Fallout 76, and it has indeed been updated frequently while trying to fix most of the problems within it. Adding NPCs and quest-givers in the game world is probably a step in the right direction at least to breathe some life back into this ailing world, but it is not proven whether this set of changes was enough to win back many players or draw a bigger and more varied crowd. The future success of the game lies in the light of Bethesda listening to player feedback, rectifying core issues, and creating a gripping endgame.
Gambit of the highest order with potential
Fallout 76 is the high-stakes gamble of the Bethesda game lineup, but more often than not, it rolls snake eyes. The idea of a shared Fallout universe sounds interesting, but execution leaves something to be desired. Hardcore fans of the franchise, as well as social gamers who are looking for something special in online mode, might still find a point in Fallout 76. However, for players waiting for a polished single-player RPG in the style of Fallout 4, the game might turn out to be more frustrating.
