Fallout 4

[Quinton O'Connor]

20 hours in. Some impressions -- story-free, but a bit gameplay spoilery.

Pretty good game, but I dislike the conversation system and character-building changes a fair bit. Whereas some are saying the one-to-four-word choice summaries in the dialogue are no different than modern BioWare's efforts, I find them badly-phrased and frequently confusing. Everything speech check running off of Charisma is really shallow, too.

I don't like how much has been stripped from the level-up process, either, but I can't quite fault Bethesda entirely on this one. It seems like most AAA RPG developers (what few of them there are, heh) are moving wayward of remotely complex leveling up systems.

The plot is OK so far. I dig the gist, but one of my roommates absolutely abhors it; she hates being forced into a very specific type of character at the start, saying it nukes (sorry) replayability to Kingdom Come until there's a mod that'll allow her to bypass the intro with an alternate start point. It's a good thing I don't mind, since I'm on PS4 and there's no guarantee I'd ever gain access to such a mod. I see her point, crystal-clear, but eh.

Atmosphere is top-notch. Praise for New Vegas runs high, and I understand why, but I've always held that Bethesda's Fallout 3 was far superior in this matter than Obsidian's sequel. It's the number one reason I didn't let issues I knew would plague me (the aforementioned stuff about shallow conversation material and "pick a Perk! OK, you're done now" leveling) stop me from picking up the game. I echo Reverend that there's no good reason narrative can't be better in these damn games, aye, but atmosphere is solid, at least.

I'm a particularly big fan of the dynamic weather. Mmm.

Weapon modding is complex. I've never been huge on this sort of thing. I dunno why. But I'm having a decent time of it nevertheless.

The settlement system roped my other roommate into stopping everything else since he got the game in order to just build and build and build. I'm not much of a builder, so I just threw some turrets in there, a few beds and the like, and I'll make some shops when I can. And then I moved on. Minecraft ain't for me. I can see that this system is well-realized, though.

 

[martok2112]

I'm a particularly big fan of the dynamic weather. Mmm.

Yeah, the weather changes are a nice touch. I don't think they really add any effect to the game (such as adverse or advantageous conditions), but it is nice to see different weather in the game.

Weapon modding is complex. I've never been huge on this sort of thing. I dunno why. But I'm having a decent time of it nevertheless.

It took me a moment to get into it, but now, I'm enjoying that aspect. I finally have a suppressed sniper rifle. And a night scoped Laser Musket.

The settlement system roped my other roommate into stopping everything else since he got the game in order to just build and build and build. I'm not much of a builder, so I just threw some turrets in there, a few beds and the like, and I'll make some shops when I can. And then I moved on. Minecraft ain't for me. I can see that this system is well-realized, though.

Yeah, the building system is not quite addictive. Actually, it feels like about the chore it would be to actually build a settlement and keep the inhabitants happy. My first settlement at Sanctuary is decently built. My settlers are happy and improving.

Another aspect I do love is that you do not have to undergo training to use Power Armor. Repairing and maintaining power armor is cool. Put that sucker in a Power Armor Station, and if you have the materials, you can repair and/or modify your armor.

As for leveling up. Hmmm.... I'm not quite keen on the whole level up an attribute or level up a perk and then you're done. Seems to make character progression a bit slow. So now, when I do level up, I wait until I get back to Sanctuary before I start looking at what I want to improve, because I look to where my weapon and settlement building mods are needed.

If there's one aspect of this game that I'm not too keen on, it's the grenade/thrown weapons mechanic. Taking me a bit more to get used to.

Overall, as stated before, loving the hell out of this game. It is eating up much of my off time, which is good since it allows me to forget a lot of stressful things.

 

[Servo]

I'm a particularly big fan of the dynamic weather. Mmm.

Yeah, the weather changes are a nice touch. I don't think they really add any effect to the game (such as adverse or advantageous conditions), but it is nice to see different weather in the game.

Well, you do get hit with a few rads whenever there's a large clap of thunder in those nuclear storms, so there is some effect.

Love the settlement building aspect, and I'm not a Minecraft fan either, but it is a lot of fun to build things and plan out the settlement. I actually felt a touch of pride when I built a communal area with a TV and radio, and the residents started using it.

Also, I put a massive steel and wooden wall all around Sanctuary, so I pretty much turned it into the Alexandria Safe Zone, but with turrets.

 

[martok2112]

I'm a particularly big fan of the dynamic weather. Mmm.

Yeah, the weather changes are a nice touch. I don't think they really add any effect to the game (such as adverse or advantageous conditions), but it is nice to see different weather in the game.

Well, you do get hit with a few rads whenever there's a large clap of thunder in those nuclear storms, so there is some effect.

Love the settlement building aspect, and I'm not a Minecraft fan either, but it is a lot of fun to build things and plan out the settlement. I actually felt a touch of pride when I built a communal area with a TV and radio, and the residents started using it.

Also, I put a massive steel and wooden wall all around Sanctuary, so I pretty much turned it into the Alexandria Safe Zone, but with turrets.

NNNiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiice!!!!!!!!!

 

[Servo]

Here's a screenshot from the bridge heading towards the main gate...

 

[martok2112]

Very well done!

 

[martok2112]

One thing I've found somewhat helpful is:

Sanctuary is still my main base of operations. I have three Power Armor suits, although I don't know why I need more than one. Anyhoo, I use Power Armor constantly, and of course, it's always in need of repair after a good battle or two. So, I used the Workshop to create a Fast Travel Point, and placed it directly in front of the Power Armor Repair Station. Done with a battle? Bamf, instantly fast travel right to the P.A.R.S. and get right down to maintenance.

 

[Lakenheath 72]

I am into two hours with this game. I am feeling frustrated with the game, along with the general sense that I am drowning. I do not understand the leveling system and I do not understand the crafting system. It is not like I have never played a game with a leveling system and a crafting system before. It is just that with this game, the things that are important are not explained fully. After making an attempt of using the guide for help, I resorted to the Internet for help. I found a build I like, so I am using that. However, I do not understand how my character progresses. Along with those issues, I am not interested in the story itself. The story does not exist as a immediate presence. I do not know if I have the perseverance for spending tens or hundreds of hours into this game.

 

[Mr Light]

So, there was no deal to buy it in the opening week. How long would it take for the price to go down? I'm not even getting an XB1 until Black Friday (and the ads didn't show the game anywhere).

 

[martok2112]

The leveling system is a bit wanting, I'll grant that.

 

[Robert Maxwell]

The leveling system in 3 was broken junk. Complex is not necessarily better. The leveling system in 4 is pretty nice.

 

[Lakenheath 72]

I understood the leveling system in FO 3. The issue there was that, if you were a explorer like myself, you maxed out the levels fairly quickly.

I read a review of the game today, where the author described the leveling system as being both horizontal and vertical. From his experience, not knowing this, he soon discovered that he was, after 10 hours of playing the game, in a world of ****.

I played a female Vault 111 resident. The actress who voiced the role was passable. I did not hear much in the way of passion for the role. She had more of a passion for a role she portrayed earlier - Jack from Mass Effect 3.

I would recommend a rental before buying the game.

 

[Rincewiend]

So, there was no deal to buy it in the opening week. How long would it take for the price to go down? I'm not even getting an XB1 until Black Friday (and the ads didn't show the game anywhere).

Console versions will take longer than the PC versions...

 

[FPAlpha]

Wasn't planning on buying it until December because i have enough on my plate as it is but i am weak so here goes

I recently got a brand new gaming PC in the upper range that can run it at maximum settings and it looks beautiful.

So far i only played about 2 hours, got through the tutorial, met these guys holding out in this town and aquired Powerarmor which i really needed for taking down that Deathclaw (after dying 3-4 times i tried blowing up the car next to it.. that did almost the trick, it only took 2 bursts more from the minigun to finish off the beast).

As it's with every modern Fallout the game is huge and very complex which seems daunting at first but i like this very much and i can't wait to have enough ressources to start tinkering with them at the workbenches.

 

[martok2112]

(ominous voice) Welcome, brother. We have been expecting you.

 

[Evil Twin]

Oh FFS... So the other day I killed all the ghouls at the Sunshine Tidings Co-op and did some scrapping for settlement building while at the same time manually dragging all the ghoul corpses off the property. Today I finally get around to sending settlers there, and when I get back, all the ghoul corpses are right back where they originally fell in all the buildings. THANKS, GAME!

 

[SPCTRE]

Here's a screenshot from the bridge heading towards the main gate...

Awesome!

My copy arrived on Saturday and I actually got a couple of hours in somehow (unbelievably so).

First impression: It's more Fallout. (To which I say: I'll take it!)

For a couple of hours, I was playing Fallout 4 simultaneously with Ice-T, which was weird and kind of neat. (He totally outlevels me now.)

 

[Servo]

The fucking gate has become pointless, since people keep leaving it open, haha.

 

[SPCTRE]

That calls for a mod!

 

[FPAlpha]

Jesus Christ, it's gonna take me years to finish this game .

I only went about in the local neighborhood, shot up some Feral Ghouls and then started cleaning up Sanctuary and building some stuff for the few people that are already there.

One small nitpick for the PC version.. control layout is a bit wonky. I have to switch so many times between keyboard and mouse that's it's not fun scrapping all the small stuff from a house to make room for beds and such. Might have to adapt the controls if at all possible.