Fallout 76, the much-maligned, post-apocalyptic online RPG from Bethesda is finally getting human NPCs in the new Wastelander update. The game was heavily criticised for not featuring any human non players when it was released, with Bethesda hoping that real players would pick up that slack. Instead, the world, populated as it is with robots, felt empty, despite being a multiplayer shindig.
The new update not only adds human characters but also whole new quests – bringing it a little closer to what players might expect from a Fallout game. The new main quest coming to Fallout 76 will have you playing to “uncover the secrets of West Virginia.”
It also adds branching dialogue trees, choices with actual consequence, and a reputation system that has your actions changing your standing with Appalachia’s different factions.
It’s a pretty big expansion all told, and it’ll be coming to Xbox One, PlayStation 4 and PC on April 7. It’ll also be available for free, which is nice. Fallout 76 is also finally coming to Steam on the same day, removing the need to use Bethesda’s own launcher. Look, we didn’t like Fallout 76 when it first came out. It just didn’t have the soul of a Fallout game.
“Fallout 76’s mundane quest and lifeless story put too much weight on the aged combat and trivial crafting for them to bear. It’s a multiplayer experiment with far too many flaws to put up with, both in its limiting player interactions and its woeful technical polish. Fallout with friends is still an idea that could work, but that’s not what Fallout 76 is serving up.”
This, and other recent changes align it closer to the sort of thing players want from Fallout.
Last Updated: February 5, 2020
Original Heretic
February 5, 2020 at 15:42
Any chance of another review once this huge update drops?
Cause now it sounds like the Fallout I know and love.
Pariah
February 5, 2020 at 15:59
Don’t believe the hype.
Original Heretic
February 5, 2020 at 15:59
Hence me wanting a review.
Pariah
February 5, 2020 at 15:59
0/10, this is 2020, play something better. Like Roguelike Minesweeper.
Original Heretic
February 5, 2020 at 16:07
Why so negative?
NMS turned around, why can’t this?
Pariah
February 5, 2020 at 16:07
Genuinely just a badly toned/worded joke. No reason at all that it can’t turn out great. I have serious doubts because Bethesda, but 100% the possibility exists.
Original Heretic
February 5, 2020 at 16:07
As a whole, their track record is pretty good.
For a franchise I love, I’d like to be optimistic. Cautiously so.
Pariah
February 5, 2020 at 16:13
As a whole, sure. But it’s all their recent stuff that has me skeptical. Same thing with BioWare. Like, they have a great pedigree, but they’ve just not shown any of that in the last few years.
Original Heretic
February 5, 2020 at 16:13
They can do it!!!
RinceThis
February 5, 2020 at 16:44
I look forward to watching Jim Sterling’s analysis of the guaranteed shit-show this will bring. Every update they have rolled out has created more issues. I am honestly surprised that anyone is wasting their time with this game.
Kromas
February 5, 2020 at 20:24
I still enjoy it.
D@rCF0g
February 6, 2020 at 06:32
So, will this update change people’s perception of the game? That’s is the million dollar question!
Jacques Van Zyl
February 6, 2020 at 09:51
I might grab this on Steam. Just because I sort of want for this to be good, and it seems okay from what little my friends on console have shown me… so maybe a deep steam discount and a good review after this update might have me try this.